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Technology Systems Branch's activities are currently concentrated under four program areas.
Shelter Shelter is the largest program area of the Technology Systems Branch. The activities of DA's Shelter Group concentrate on the following aspects:
Our overall goal in the area of shelter is to promote large-scale dissemination of sustainable building technologies that have lasting impacts in the form of improved shelter conditions, jobs and ecological benefits. The achieve this goal, the Shelter Group designs and demonstrates the use of economically viable, environmentally sound technology packages and management systems for widespread delivery of need based products and services at a decentralised scale. The liberation of both products and technologies is planned through a market driven approach based upon the creation of business and institutional networks to strengthen entrepreneurial activity through technical, financial and management supports.Energy The Energy programme is structured around activities concentrating on need assessment and technology choice for selected areas of Bundelkhand. The systems being explored locally with the potential for global application are:
water pumping applications.
The overall goal in the Energy Programme is to promote large-scale dissemination of renewable energy technologies. Currently the Energy Group is in the process of designing and field testing economically viable and environmentally sustainable technology packages for production of clean fuel based on local renewable resources. Simultaneously, development of specific local markets for energy technologies and products is planned.The Group aims to create a cadre of professionals equipped to undertake specific projects for development, field testing and marketing of energy technologies in close collaboration with DESI Power and TARA. Biomass The projects under the biomass programme are structured around the following opportunities in the Bundelkhand region:
The broad activities are divided into two major areas of work. The first area of work focuses on growth of biomass, establishing practices for planting of Energy Crops and Biomass Management at the community level. The second area focuses on developing technology packages that ensure value addition to the biomass fractions. The biomass group has developed interesting linkages with other programme areas. Biomass fiber utilisation will be dovetailed with paper making, handicraft and paper products.The bulk of the biomass will be used as an energy source either through gasification or briquetting routes. Marketing linkages for the products are continually strengthened and new avenues established for sale of products through existing partners, many of which are in the commercial sector. The thrust area of this programme is in the State of Madhya Pradesh. Livelihoods The Livelihoods program focuses on need assessment, mobilisation and sourcing technological help from DA as well as other partner organisations for implementation. Their activities are directly related with the people and they are the primary carriers of all the technological work done to the grassroots for creation of Sustainable Livelihoods. The livelihood team also looks at initiating formation of Co-operatives and self-help groups in villages and extends help to Building Materials program requirements for work with artisan groups.The Livelihoods program is presently based with the Jhansi group of Development Alternatives and focuses on the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh and has a strong research component for understanding sustainability issues and tracking technology change in the regional context. |
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Development Alternatives
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Alternative building materials and technology