Appropriate technology

Appropriate technology does not have to be complex. Simple fences can help stop wind-blown sand entering crop plots, while contour stone barriers manage runoff. Their value lies in meeting a local need with a manageable solution, rather than using the most advanced equipment available.

Bottom-up projects also use appropriate technology: equipment and methods that suit local skills and resources. When people can operate and maintain improvements themselves, those improvements have a better chance of lasting. TRIDE’s relatively low environmental impact is another advantage compared with a major dam and reservoir.