--- title: "Short note: Appropriate technology" subject: "Technology, Environment and Society" chapter: 1 key: "semester_7/technology_environment_and_society:appropriate-technology-note" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/appropriate-technology-note site: BCT Engineering --- # Short note: Appropriate technology Technology, Environment and Society · Chapter 1: Technology - Asked in: 2079 Bhadra, 4 marks; 2071 Chaitra, 4 marks (asked 2 times) - Video: [What is Appropriate Technology?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZQ7kn8E00c) — 본캐 다이어리 - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/appropriate-technology-note - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/chapter-1 ## Question Write a short note on appropriate technology. ## Short answer Appropriate technology is small-scale, low-cost, labour-intensive, and environmentally friendly, using local resources and skills, as popularized by Schumacher; examples include micro-hydro, biogas, and solar systems, which reduce poverty and promote self-reliance. ## Answer **Appropriate technology (AT)** is technology that suits the economic, social, cultural and environmental conditions of the place where it is used. It is usually small-scale, low-cost, labour-intensive, energy-efficient, environmentally friendly and can be operated, repaired and managed by local people using local materials and skills. The idea was popularised by economist **E. F. Schumacher** in *Small Is Beautiful* (1973). **Characteristics:** - Low capital cost and affordable to local people - Uses local resources, materials and skills - Labour-intensive; creates local employment - Simple to operate and maintain locally - Small-scale and decentralised - Environmentally sound and uses renewable energy - Culturally acceptable and meets real local needs **Examples in Nepal:** - Improved water mill (*ghatta*) and micro-hydro plants - Biogas plants and improved cooking stoves (ICS) - Solar home systems and solar dryers - Rainwater harvesting and gravity-flow drinking water schemes - Suspension trail bridges replacing *tuin* (cable) river crossings - Drip irrigation and treadle pumps **Importance:** It reduces poverty, creates jobs, reduces dependence on imports, protects the environment and makes rural communities self-reliant. A technology is "appropriate" only relative to a place: a nuclear plant is appropriate in a rich industrial country, but a micro-hydro plant is appropriate for a remote Nepali village. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. What is appropriate technology? A. Technology that suits the economic, social, cultural and environmental conditions of the place of use B. The most advanced technology available C. Technology that is imported from rich countries D. Any technology that is popular Answer: A. AT fits local conditions: small-scale, low-cost and operable by local people with local materials. (Key point: Definition) 2. Who popularised appropriate technology, and in which work? A. Gandhi in Hind Swaraj B. E. F. Schumacher in Small Is Beautiful (1973) C. Schumpeter in Capitalism D. Ford in My Life Answer: B. The idea was popularised by economist E. F. Schumacher in Small Is Beautiful (1973). (Key point: Originator) 3. Which set describes appropriate technology? A. Large-scale, capital-intensive, centralised B. Imported, complex, energy-hungry C. Low cost, labour-intensive, locally maintainable and environmentally sound D. Fully automated and high maintenance Answer: C. AT is low-cost, uses local resources, is labour-intensive, simple to operate and repair, and environmentally sound. (Key point: Characteristics) 4. Why is a micro-hydro plant appropriate for a remote Nepali village but a nuclear plant is not? A. Nuclear plants are illegal everywhere B. Micro-hydro produces more power C. Micro-hydro is more modern D. Appropriateness is relative to place: nuclear suits a rich industrial country, micro-hydro suits local conditions Answer: D. A technology is appropriate only relative to the place where it is used. 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