Pro-Poor Technology

It is well proven around the developing world that if right technologies are adopted, it is possible to make a difference to the conditions of the rural poor. It is also equally established that inappropriate technologies introduced to a rural setting, however well the intentions may be, end up in a lot of wasted resources and are actually counterproductive. Many experiences in the developing countries have demonstrated that bringing in technology to alleviate the rampant rural poverty helps, but the technology in question must be geared to the local conditions and the needs of the people. Rural lives have improved on account of technological interventions. To take the example of Nepal, biogas technology has been instrumental in lessening the drudgery of people and curbing over-dependence on forests for fuel needs. There are estimated 80,000 biogas plants in the country. Solar technology has been another means to meet the energy demands in the rural areas. Some 10,000 solar plants dot the country. These figures came at a national consultative meeting on Technology for Rural Development" Wednesday which was addressed by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

He told the gathering that new models are required to create new rural micro enterprises based on agricultural products and local natural resources to create productive job opportunities in the rural areas. Innovative technologies that are affordable, sustainable, and economically viable are essential to see micro enterprises blossom. However, without integrating scientific and technological considerations right from the development planning, introduction of appropriate technologies is easier said than done. Technological considerations, which are employment-oriented, production-oriented and oriented to save time, must be added to central and local level planning, if it is to play a crucial role in alleviating rural poverty. Some interventions would be simpler than others. As one of the speakers at the meeting revealed, a mere Rs. 6000 spent on improving a conventional water mill, which number above 50,000 across the hills of Nepal, could increase the mill’s capacity by three to five times. It is this kind of affordable, sustainable technologies that Nepal desperately needs. Small technologies that allow a rural community to start a modest agro-based micro enterprise could have the potential to appreciably increase the general income levels of that community. In other words, pro-poor technology is what rural Nepal needs.

Prioritise Road Construction

THE development of physical infrastructure is the first and foremost priority of any developing country. Development in plain terms is bringing about positive change by ensuring minimum impact on the natural environment. The construction of roads is one of the factors, which acts as a catalyst to widen the market network and thereby broaden the prospects of economic growth. Nepal’s development experience has not been quite soothing in that projects have been launched without giving prior thought to the construction of the basic infrastructure. Hence it is imperative on the part of the planners to first construct the basic infrastructure before setting forth with the development projects. The importance of roads cannot be undermined in a mountainous country like Nepal where the rugged terrain stands as a stumbling block for giving a fillip to development. The districts that have been blessed with the road links have gained economic prowess over the years. Even when the role of road network is undisputed as far as development gains are concerned, the state needs to make a comprehensive study of the realistic needs of particular areas. Building of roads in economically viable areas would yield better results. It would be unproductive to build roads in areas that do not have economic prospects. Having elucidated the need to prioritise areas for road construction, it would not be out of place to mention that there is a lot of political influence involved while deciding which areas are in urgent need of a road link. Unwanted intervention to divert road projects for mere political gains could lead the country in paying a big price in the long run. Hence it goes without saying that road construction must be kept aloof from political meddling. It is indeed quite heartening to note that the legislators have realised the stark reality. Lawmakers speaking at the House of Representatives meeting recently underlined the need to avoid the construction of roads that are not technically feasible. They at the same time voiced for the construction of agriculture roads for each district. This point needs to be appreciated, as farmers in the districts have been unable to sell their products in the absence of road links. Apart from taking into consideration the need to prioritise road construction, another factor, which is equally important, is to ensure that no misappropriations are involved. Hence the widely felt need is to construct quality roads that can last for a considerable period of time and can fulfill the envisaged development goals.