South Asia Regional Conference on Technologies for Poverty Reduction

Working towards a regional strategy on technology for poverty reduction

Benefits of technological progress continue to exclude large numbers of people in the world. There is an urgent need for new technology agendas that will ensure that technology works for all.

The South Asia Conference on Technologies for Poverty Reduction at the British Council in New Delhi, 10th and 11th October 2003, brought together positive experiences of technology development from across South Asia - showing how communities who are normally excluded can benefit from technology. Our challenge in the Conference was to use these experiences to develop new technology agendas and the strategies to promote them.

The conference featured stories of good practices of such technologies in South Asia under the following themes:

• Irrigation and water management
• Food production technologies
• Housing technologies
• Energy

Case studies and papers presented at the conference are available to download.

An Agenda for Change
Statement and Commitments from the South Asia Conference on Technologies for Poverty Reduction: Working towards a Regional Strategy

Conference timetable

Papers presented at the conference

Abstracts of papers presented to the conference

Introduction: Is there a need for a South Asian response on technology for poverty reduction? Dr Vishaka Hidellage, ITDGPractical Action, Sri Lanka
Abstract | Download as PDF ~ 118k or MS Word ~ 50k

The Role of Technology in Poverty Reduction
Cowan Coventry, Chief Executive, ITDGPractical Action
Abstract | Download as PDF ~ 141k or MS Word ~ 52k

Sectoral trends in the water sector (technology, policy and poverty) in South Asia Reba Paul, Programme Coordinator, Global water partnership South Asia, Bangladesh
Abstract | Download as PDF ~ 148k or MS Word ~ 71k

Food and poverty: technologies for poverty alleviation
Professor H.P.M. Gunasena, Executive Director, Council for Agriculture Research & Policy (CARP), Sri Lanka
Abstract | Download as PDF ~ 259k or MS Word ~ 151k

Energy Technologies for the Poor - Technology for poverty alleviation: Relevance and Prospects in South Asia
Bikash Pandey, Country Representative, Nepal, Winrock International
Download as PDF ~ 432k or Powerpoint presentation ~ 105k

Appropriate policies for appropriate transport options
Ranjith de Silva, Asia Region Coordinator, International Forum for Rural Transport and Development
Download as PDF ~ 1.1Mb

Alternative solution for the paddy cultivation crisis through local traditional cutivation methods
Mr K P Hemantha Abeywardena, National Federation of Conservation for the Traditional Seeds & Agri-Resources, Sri Lanka
Abstract | Download as PDF ~ 123k or MS Word ~ 51k

Sustainable poverty alleviation through afforestation project - a case from India
KK Kaushal, IFS Divisional Forest Officer, Sarojani Street, Chinnachokkikulum, Madurai Tamilnadu India, and
JC Kala, IFS Principle Chief Conservator of Forests, Government of Tamilnadu, Pannaigal Building, Saidapet, Chennai India
Abstract | Download as PDF ~ 150k or MS Word ~ 61k

Role of modern science and technologies in agriculture for poverty alleviation in South Asia
William D Dar, CLL Gowda and HC Sharma, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru 502 324, Andhra Pradesh, India
Abstract | Download as PDF ~ 184k or MS Word ~ 145k

Let the Markets Decide: A conclusion or a question mark?
Dr Mahesha Ranasoma, Shell Companies in Sri Lanka
Abstract | Download as PDF ~ 336k or Powerpoint presentation ~ 141k

Technologies for Poverty Reduction: The Political Perspective
Chamuditha Samarawickrama, Teleshan Network Limited (Sri Lanka)
Download as PDF ~ 78k or Powerpoint presentation ~ 70k

Improved indigenous technology for poverty alleviation
Suvecha Pant, Reporter, The Kathmandu Post
Download as PDF ~ 590k

Posters from the AT workshop

Other papers submitted to the Conference

Technology, poverty and the role of new technologies in eradication of poverty: the case of Sri Lanka
Dr Sarath Dasanayaka, Head/Dept. of Management of Technology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Abstract | Download PDF ~400k

Water, technology and commoditisation and poor - an Indian case study
Prof. D. Sundaram, Honorary Professor, Center for Research in New International Economic Order (CReNIEO), Tamil Nadu
Abstract | Download PDF ~134k

South Asia Regional Conference on
Technologies for Poverty Reduction

Day 1	10th October 2003
9.00	Registration of conference participants
	Inaugural session
10.00	Welcome address Mr Edmund Marsden, British Council, India
10.05	Welcome and invitation to head table Dr D K Giri, India Development Group, India
10.10	Introduction: Is there a need for a South Asian response on technology for poverty reduction? Dr Vishaka Hidellage, ITDGPractical Action, Sri Lanka
10.30	Lighting of the oil lamp
10.40	Vote of thanks Senator Tariq Azeem, Pakistan on behalf of Mr Irfan Maqbool, Rural Development Policy Institute, Pakistan
10.40	Tea
	The role of technology in poverty reduction
	Chairperson - Ms. Madhavi Ariyabandu, ITDGPractical Action, Sri Lanka
11.20	An international perspective Mr Cowan Coventry, ITDGPractical Action, UK

Sector trends in South Asia		Case studies
Chairperson - Dr Sarala Gopalan, IAS, former Secretary Government of India		Chairperson - Mr D T Reji Chandra, Palmyrah Workers Development Society Coordination Centre-DATA, India
11.40	Water - Ms Reba Paul, Global Water, Partnership-South Asia, Bangladesh	11.40	Experiences on Developing Replicable Technology Models for Rural Application & Poverty Reduction: Case Studies from India - Dr Vinita Sharma & Dr. Sunil Argarwal, Department of Science & Technology, India
11.55	Food and agriculture - Prof Gunasena, Council for Agriculture, Research & Policy, Sri Lanka	11.50	Alternative Solutions for Paddy Cultivation Crisis through Local Traditional Cultivation methods - Mr K P Hemantha Abeywardena, National Federation of Conservation for the Traditional Seeds & Agri-Resources, Sri Lanka
12.10	Energy - Mr Bikash Pandey, Winrock International, Nepal	12.00	Impacts of Rural Transport Projects in Poverty Reduction - Mr P K Choudry, Bangladesh National Forum for Rural Transport
12.25	Transport - Mr Ranjith de Silva, International Forum on Rural Transport Development, Sri Lanka	12.30	Sustainable Poverty Alleviation through Aforestation - Mr K K Kaushal, Indian Forest Service, Madurai, India
12.40	Shelter - Ms Zeenat Niazi, Society for Development Alternatives, India	12.40	Clarifications and questions
12.55	Consolidation of key points

1.00	Summaries of the sector trends and the case studies Dr Sarala Gopalan & Mr D T Reji Chandra
1.15	Discussion
1.45	Lunch
	Perspectives on technology strategies
	Chairpersons - Mr Cowan Coventry, ITDGPractical Action, UK Dr Mahesha Ranasoma, Shell Companies in Sri Lanka
2.30	New technology - a part of the solution Dr CLL Gowda, ICRISAT, Andhra Pradesh, India
2.50	Small is still beautiful Prof Omman, India Development Group, India
3.10	Indigenous technological knowledge Mr Muhammed Taher, Verulam Associates Ltd., Bangladesh
3.30	Tea
3.50	Let the markets decide - discussion Dr Mahesha Ranasoma, Shell Companies in Sri Lanka
4.15	Responses and discussion
5.20	Close
Day 2	11th October 2003
	Policy and political environment - addressing the region's issues
	Chairperson - Prof Oommen, Schumacher Centre Delhi, India
9.30	Technology of poverty and poverty of technology - exploring policy linkages in post-colonial South Asia Mr Amjad Bhatti, Journalists Resource Centre, Islamabad Chapter, Pakistan Mr Mushtaq Gadi, People's Rights Movement, Pakistan Paper was presented by Fouzia Wahab, MNA, Pakistan
9.50	Respondents Dr Anil Subedi, ITDGPractical Action, Nepal Prof Pradeep Sahani, Indira Gandhi National Open University, India
10.45	Tea
11.00	Political perspectives Mr Chamuditha Samarawickrema, Telshan Network Limited, Sri Lanka Ms Suvecha Pant, The Kathmandu Post, Nepal
11.20	Panel and open discussion Mr Jaipal Reddy, MP, India Mr Tariq Azeem, Senator, Pakistan Mr Qamar Uz Zaman Kaira, MP, Pakistan Ms Fouzia Wahab, MNA, Pakistan
12.30	Lunch
	An Agenda for Change
	Chairperson - Dr Devinder Sharma, Forum for Biotechnology & Food Security, India
1.30	Introduction to session
1.45	Panel - regional points of view Mr Zulfikar Gondal, MNA, Pakistan Dr Susil Liyanarchchi, ITDGPractical Action, Sri Lanka Dr Sarala Gopalan, IAS, India Mr Muhammed Taher, Verulam Associates, Bangladesh Dr Anil Subedi, ITDGPractical Action, Nepal
2.00	Group discussions on major themes
2.45	Tea
3.00	Reports from group session
3.30	Discussion on strategies for change
	Closing session
4.00	Closing remarks Mr Andrew Redpath, IDG, UK Dr Vishaka Hidellage, ITDGPractical Action, Sri Lanka

Abstracts of papers presented to the conference