What is 'appropriate technology' and how does it relate to development?

What is 'appropriate technology' and how does it relate to development?

• A. It is high-tech imported equipment designed for export-led growth.
• B. It is simple, affordable, locally adaptable technology designed for the local context.
• C. It requires large-scale infrastructure.
• D. It is only used in urban centers.

Answer: (B)

Appropriate technology means choosing tools and methods that are affordable, simple to operate, easy to maintain, and well-suited to local resources and needs. In development, this approach helps communities actually use and sustain improvements by aligning solutions with what people can afford, know how to fix, and have the materials to support. It often favors small-scale, decentralized options—like solar-powered pumps, simple water filters, or rainwater harvesting—over expensive, imported high-tech systems that require costly inputs and specialized skills. This focus on local relevance reduces dependency on outsiders, lowers costs, and fits the everyday realities of rural and underserved settings.

Appropriate technology means choosing tools and methods that are affordable, simple to operate, easy to maintain, and well-suited to local resources and needs. In development, this approach helps communities actually use and sustain improvements by aligning solutions with what people can afford, know how to fix, and have the materials to support. It often favors small-scale, decentralized options—like solar-powered pumps, simple water filters, or rainwater harvesting—over expensive, imported high-tech systems that require costly inputs and specialized skills. This focus on local relevance reduces dependency on outsiders, lowers costs, and fits the everyday realities of rural and underserved settings.