Our Appropriate Technology Program is dedicated to empowering individuals by helping them create small-scale, practical technology tools and implements. These resources, used in agriculture, small industries, and related activities, are not just functional but tailored to local needs. Examples of such tools include brick molds, charcoal stoves, and rice threshers. We have successfully collaborated with other programs by fabricating and installing various projects, including those related to water, micro-hydro, and water supply. Our inter-program cooperation reflects our commitment to holistic development and the shared goal of enhancing the quality of life in the communities we serve. Previously known as the Small Industries Program, our current focus extends beyond applying new technologies, tools, and equipment to improve living conditions. We actively conduct research and development activities, encouraging the use of locally available materials and techniques that are both socially acceptable and consistent with existing structures in Papua New Guinea communities. Our vision is to foster self-reliance and sustainable growth by making technology accessible and easy to use. We're excited to help communities explore the transformative power of appropriate technology - empowering them to shape their future in a sustainable, self-determined way.
We're excited to share with you some of the projects we've implemented under the Appropriate Technology Program. Below, you'll find both the tools and equipment we've developed, as well as those that are still in the works. We hope you find them as inspiring as we do!
The Small Industries program encourages communities involved in timber production to gain maximum benefit from their forest resources. The communities can be trained to produce quality charcoal from wood wastes and branches from timber and logging operations. Demands for charcoal and stoves are increasing in urban communities due to the high costs of imported fuel and electricity.
The Small Industries program offers an alternative to building construction materials by involving community youth groups in producing and selling concrete building blocks for house construction. With the price of property-treated timber increasing, the youth group can purchase a portable metal mould to produce standard building blocks out of cement and sand, which are easily accessible to the communities. Instructions on how to use the brick-making molds are provided with the equipment.
The program has developed a board with special nails as a substitute for improving the traditional method of sago starch production. The manual rasper board is observed to be more economical and efficient for use by local communities in processing the sago pith in preparation for washing and extracting the starch.
The program assists in the local production of some crop processing equipment for downstream processing of locally harvested fruits and nuts from community farmers. Equipment now being looked at are for rice harvesting and processing, peanut butter processing, and coconut oil extraction.
The hydraulic ram pump is a technology that takes advantage of the height of the falling water and its flowing speed to create pressure. That pressure is utilized to lift the water to heights well above the ram pump itself. This makes it possible to lift water from a water source located below a mountain to villages located at higher elevations.This has a potential to turn previously unproductive or unused land into agricultural plots or fish farming. What's interesting is that it does not use electricity and uses few moving parts making it an environmentally friendly and reliable pump.
ATCDI engineers and volunteers have built and tested ram pumps in a purpose built test rig as part of research and hopes to disseminate these experiences to the general public and rural communities. Our pilot project in Gobadik village showcases the power of this approach. By harnessing the capabilities of the Ram Pump technology, we have been able to deliver clean, safe water to this community. The fabrication and installation of this technology have been carried out under the purview of our Appropriate Technology Program, ensuring its success.
"The Appropriate Technology Program is at the heart of empowering individuals and communities with the skills and resources they need to develop practical, efficient tools for agriculture, small-scale industries, and associated activities. This program is pivotal in creating items like brick molds, charcoal stoves, and rice threshers – technologies that can dramatically improve daily life and work efficiency. This program not only stands on its own but also collaboratively enhances other initiatives by fabricating and installing critical components for water supply and micro-hydro projects. Our mission is to facilitate self-reliance and resilience by equipping communities with the tools they need to sustain their livelihoods and improve their quality of life."
Take a look at some of the projects we've brought to life, as well as the tools and equipment that our Appropriate Technology Program has developed or is currently working on. We're happy to share our progress with you!
The hydraulic ram pump is a technology that takes advantage of the height of the falling water and its flowing speed to create pressure. That pressure is utilized to lift the water to heights well above the ram pump itself. This makes it possible to lift water from a water source located below a mountain to villages located at higher elevations.This has a potential to turn previously unproductive or unused land into agricultural plots or fish farming. What's interesting is that it does not use electricity and uses few moving parts making it an environmentally friendly and reliable pump. ATCDI engineers and volunteers have built and tested ram pumps in a purpose built test rig as part of research and hopes to disseminate these experiences to the general public and rural communities.
Drawing from experiences and research reports from former ATCDI community engineers and Former UNITECH professor (Prof. Brian Young) of the Civil Engineering Department, ATCDI has piloted a ram pump project in Gobadik, in the Nawaeb District in Morobe Province. Although some ram pumps have been installed in the country long ago, this pilot project hopes to revive the interest in ram pumps, create a catalyst for similar projects in the future and create an awareness on the usefulness of this old yet proven and reliable technology.
At the heart of our mission is the commitment to nurturing self-reliance and sustainable growth by democratizing access to easy-to-use technology. Our focus is not only to provide technology but also to unlock its transformative potential, empowering communities to shape their own sustainable and self-determined futures. One such initiative is our 'Appropriate Technology Program'. This program facilitates other Programs' projects centered around vital resources, such as water and power, by conducting comprehensive feasibility studies and overseeing the installation of effective supply systems. An excellent example of this is the water supply project. Our pilot project in Gobadik village showcases the power of this approach. By harnessing the capabilities of the Ram Pump technology, we have been able to deliver clean, safe water to this community. The fabrication and installation of this technology have been carried out under the purview of our Appropriate Technology Program, ensuring its success. The impact of this program has been immense, improving the quality of life by meeting an essential need - clean water. As we continue our journey, we aim to facilitate more such programs, enabling communities to leverage the power of appropriate technology, thereby making their paths towards sustainability more accessible and feasible.
Drawing from experiences and research reports from former ATCDI community engineers and Former Unitech professor (Prof. Brian Young) of the Civil Engineering Department, ATCDI has piloted a ram pump project in Gobadik, in the Nawaeb District in Morobe Province. Although some ram pumps have been installed in the country long ago, this pilot project hopes to revive the interest in ram pumps, create a catalyst for similar projects in the future and create an awareness on the usefulness of this old yet proven and reliable technology.
We are proud to highlight a pivotal project enabled through the generous funding provided by the University of Technology (UNITECH). This support allowed us to lay the groundwork for technology transfer and initiate the deployment of our Ram Pump system, a critical component of ATCDI's 'Appropriate Technology Program'. This project, based in Gobadik village, has effectively demonstrated the potential for providing clean water to local communities. Although the initial funding focused primarily on the technology demonstration and basic water supply for the immediate community, there remains an immense opportunity to broaden this impact. The challenge—and opportunity—now lies with the Nawaep District Authority (DDA). With additional funding aimed at further plumbing and piping system development, the water supply could be extended to cover the entirety of Gobadik Village. This initiative is not just a project; it's a testament to the transformative power of appropriate technology and the potential for sustainable, community-centric growth. This is just one of the five program areas under ATCDI's umbrella. Each program area offers a unique opportunity to address different community needs through the utilization of appropriate, sustainable technology. We invite interested District Authorities and other potential partners to contact us for in-depth information about our programs. Together, we can create lasting, positive change by expanding access to clean water and other essential resources through sustainable technology solutions. The journey towards a more sustainable and self-reliant future begins here.
Our Appropriate Technology Program is dedicated to empowering individuals by helping them create small-scale, practical technology tools and implements. These resources, used in agriculture, small industries, and related activities, are not just functional but tailored to local needs. Examples of such tools include brick molds, charcoal stoves, and rice threshers. This program has significantly contributed to other initiatives by fabricating and installing projects related to water supply and micro-hydro operations. Our actions are not confined to individual technological solutions; instead, we aim to create a robust network of interconnected projects working harmoniously towards sustainable development.
Previously known as the Small Industries Program, our current focus extends beyond applying new technologies, tools, and equipment to improve living conditions. We actively conduct research and development activities, encouraging the use of locally available materials and techniques that are both socially acceptable and consistent with existing structures in Papua New Guinea communities. Our vision is to foster self-reliance and sustainable growth by making technology accessible and easy to use. We're excited to help communities explore the transformative power of appropriate technology - empowering them to shape their future in a sustainable, self-determined way".
Robert Kipong Lead EngineerAppropriate Technology
Our vision is to foster self-reliance and sustainable growth by making technology accessible and easy to use. We're excited to help communities explore the transformative power of appropriate technology - empowering them to shape their future in a sustainable, self-determined way. The appropriate technology program has assisted other programs very well by fabricating and installing project of water, micro hydro or water supply project by conducting feasibility studies and overseeing the installation of effective water supply systems, all with the mission of delivering clean, safe water to communities in need. Through our appropriate technology program and projects like the Ram pump in Gobadik village, we strive to empower communities with sustainable solutions to their water needs, thus contributing to their overall well-being and development.
