What is Appropriate Technology? (Part 1)

A bit more than a month ago we had the idea of producing the Water Pump in Plastic. Why? It’s really heavy as cement…really heavy. But its applications are far different than the Universal Nut Sheller (UNS) also heavy as cement. The UNS is meant to be kept at a location and to be used as needed, but the Water Pump needs to be moved around.

So we found some contacts and looked for a plastic manufacturer that could make the Plastic Water Pump. After several referrals I finally made it to the last stop. And they said…no. Thus ended the issue, kinda…

During the course of the research, right about when things started looking hopeless, someone suggested just making the plastic pump elsewhere and importing it. The argument suggested that many of the devices we make are imported to a degree. Steel is imported and cut and manufactured into the UNS here. The raw materials for plastic are imported then melted and extruded into pipe here to be made into the Water Pump. So why not just import it? The farmers still get the good that benefits them no matter who made it.

Well…why not?

Simply, our entire concept weakens, and we may step backward into that old fashioned handout aid that falls apart went left to the market. That’s what’s been going on for the last 30+ years. If manufactured in Malawi all the prices are real (taxes included); when left to the market it will survive if it already showed profits. If NGOs imported the device (to start the cycle), they don’t expect to make profits. Once its handed off to local distributers, they do need to show profit. And the price they need to deal with will be substantially higher.

Imported machinery is taxed heavily through customs or duty charges in addition to the big transport fee. A large tax called VAT (16.5%!) will also be added to imported machines. When we produce it here, the system won’t get shocked by a price increase, it’s all already there.

But my winning the argument aside : )

I’ve had more than a few arguments about this…well actually more than a few with this one person. I at some point I just had the thought…What is Appropriate Technology? I guess that that’s what we were really arguing about after all. I think it’s good that we really didn’t know, because we eventually stopped arguing.

So now I’m curious, how many people that work with appropriate technologies really know what that means? How many people that like appropriate technologies really know what they are?

Tell us what you think!

This website is of an NGO and our work, not YouTube (we’re on YouTube by the way) or a news site, or a shopping site (but you can donate! It’s like buying Karma). If you’re reading this page you have a reason.

Since the question of Appropriate Technologies is a big one. I’d like to know what people think and post it in a blog. Tell me in as much, or as little, detail as you like, and include what you do for a living so I can describe you anonymously. (Contact me at jcolvin24267@yahoo.com)

Ok then, I’m off into the sunset, Talk to you soon!

Jason

P.S.  Happy Thanksgiving!!!