APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY IN BOLIVIA; RESULTS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS; THE VITA SURVEY OF AT IN AGRICULTURE, SMALL SCALE INDUSTRY AND ARTISANRY, WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION AND ENERGY

This detailed survey report, prepared by VITA, reviews the background, issues, and current status of AT in Bolivia"s sectors of agriculture, rural small enterprise, sanitation, and energy; and describes the domestic and international organizations active in Bolivian AT and rural development. AT -- a self-help effort using local resoures to meet local needs in a local environment -- entails, according to the VITA model, a process of technology transfer, adaptation, diffusion, acceptance, and implementation. In terms of this model, AT efforts in Bolivia are generally weakest in the transfer and diffusion stages, and are concentrated in the adaptation and initial, localized acceptance/implementation stages. Although these AT programs display a vigorous variety, they reflect a top-down style of planning not responsive to campesino needs and lack referral mechanisms, knowledge of AT research findings, and a systematic approach for integrating AT into other development projects. VITA recommends a 4-year technical assistance program to upgrade the capability of the Bolivian government"s Office of Science and Technology (OCT) to coordinate the use of AT in rural development. Under the program, OCT will: (1) develop linkages with Bolivian and non-Bolivian AT institutions; (2) establish a centralized AT document center; (3) assist Bolivian institutions interested in integrating AT components into their development projects and establish a bank of AT consultants; (3) create a small projects fund to provide funding up to $20,000 to individuals or organizations for AT research, development, and diffusion efforts or related activities; and (5) manage programs in the agriculture, energy, rural small industry and artisanry, and water/sanitation sectors, with a series of pilot subprojects including data collection programs, feasibility studies, and implementation projects. Recommendations for AT activities within each sector are made. Appended is a list of 41 cited references (1948-79).