Proposal for a program in appropriate technology, transmitted pursuant to section 107 of the Foreign Assistance Act

THE SECTION IS INTENDED TO AUTHORIZE A.I.D. TO SUPPORT AN EXPANDED PRIVATE EFFORT TO PROMOTE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERMEDIATE TECHNOLOGIES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. A.I.D. UNDERTOOK A STUDY OF WHAT COULD USEFULLY BE DONE TO IMPLEMENT SECTION 107. ON JUNE 30, 1976, A.I.D. TRANSMITTED TO CONGRESS THE PROPOSAL THAT RESULTED. THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS THE PROPOSAL, AND PAPERS ON APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY. THE GOAL OF THE SECTION 107 PROGRAM IS TO ASSIST DEVELOPING COUNTRIES STRENGTHEN THEIR OWN CAPACITIES TO DEVELOP, ADAPT, AND UTILIZE APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY. AS PROPOSED BY A.I.D., THE PROGRAM WILL FOCUS ON THE SMALL-SCALE SECTOR IN LDCS -- SMALL FARMS AND SMALL AND MEDIUM-SCALE ENTERPRISES. SPECIAL ATTENTION WILL BE GIVEN TO THE ROLE OF WOMEN. THE PROGRAM IS EXPECTED TO BE ORIENTED LARGELY TOWARD RURAL AREAS. HIGH-PRIORITY ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY AND RURAL-BASED FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL, MANAGEMENT, CREDIT, AND MARKETING ASSISTANCE; ENERGY FOR RURAL AREAS; COOKING FUELS; HEALTH AND SANITATION IMPROVEMENTS; LOW-COST HOUSING TECHNOLOGY; AND PROJECTS TO STRENGTHEN CAPABILITIES OF LDC INSTITUTIONS FOR IDENTIFYING LOCAL PROBLEMS. THE GOAL IS TO INVOLVE U.S. BUSINESSES IN DEVELOPMENT AND DISSEMINATION OF APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. A.I.D. PROPOSED THAT AN INDEPENDENT, PRIVATE, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION CARRY OUT SECTION 107 ACTIVITIES. IT WILL HAVE A BOARD CONSISTING OF REPRESENTATIVES OF BUSINESS, PRIVATE AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, UNIVERSITIES, AND OTHERS.