Publisher’s Comments and Table of Contents – December 2024

Welcome to the Appropriate Technology December 2024 issue.

This issue of Appropriate Technology highlights how innovation and cooperation are reshaping our world. In Africa, free trade initiatives are driving food safety reforms, enhancing agricultural trade efficiency. Colombia leverages agrobiodiversity and traditional knowledge for climate adaptation. Japan is banking on heat-tolerant rice varieties to secure its agricultural future, while young Kenyans are tapping into the untapped potential of the black soldier fly through Project Mila.

Sustainable energy advances include trans­forming paper industry Black Liquor into biofuel and using bioleaching to recover rare metals for tech manufacturing. In health, Egypt eradicates malaria, and a promising HIV drug could end AIDS if access expands. Phelophepa health trains continue to provide healthcare services to underserved South Africans, and tafenoquine advances malaria treatment.

Innovation in materials sees the rise of Seawool, an eco-friendly fabric derived from waste, reshaping sustainable fashion.

ICT solutions are being tested for rural devel­opment, and Japan’s adoption of drones for disaster relief is long overdue. Smart bins promise a cleaner future through better waste management practices.

We conclude our series on distributed manufac­turing in the Global South. From E4C, India’s battery-swapping initiatives lower EV costs, and sustainable fishing practices in the Philippines maintain ecological balance.
Prolinnova reports on cassava-harvesting innovations poised to revolu­tionise farming in Kerala, and in North Ghana, Sadia Issifu empowers women farmers through banking solutions.

Practical Action UK reports on how clean energy is transforming farming in Burkina Faso. Looking ahead, DIHAD 2025 will tackle humani­tarian aid in a polarised world, promoting global collaboration. Recent events like AidEx and Development2030 offered critical reflections on development aid’s future.

In the run-up to 2025, these stories exemplify how appropriate technology, sustainable practices, and global partnerships are transforming lives.

As we bid farewell to 2024, on behalf of the entire team at Appropriate Technology, I extend heartfelt wishes to all our readers and their families for peace, health, happiness, and prosperity in the approaching New Year. Season's Greetings!

Ras Patel - Publishing Director
raspatel@appropriate-technology.com

Contents Appropriate Technology December 2024
Volume 51, Number 4

News Briefing
Africa’s free trade innovation is expediting food safety improvements
Agrobiodiversity & traditional knowledge overcoming climate change in Colombia
Black Liquor can now be turned into 'Black Gold' biofuel
Seminal 'Pact for the Future' aims to transform global governance
Novel DIY limb-saving tool kit
World Bank striving for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030
Bioleaching: a new method of recycling rare metals using bacteria
2024 Climate Action Report: IFAD expands its climate finance for more resilient rural populations
More than 130 Kenyan farmers attended a Clean Cooling Network open day
Small-scale farmers in Africa: increasing focus on biodiversity in fight against effects of climate change
Kirsty Smith appointed as new Chair of Bond's Board of Trustees

Agriculture & Food
Japan seeking for salvation in heat-tolerant rice
Project Mila: young Kenyans exploiting the enormous potential of the black soldier fly

Education & Knowledge
Seawool: novel fabric made from waste products

Health & Wellbeing
Egypt officially eliminates malaria
New HIV drug can help end AIDS if all patients have access to it
Phelophepa health trains: delivering health services to the undeserved
Tafenoquine: radical new drug for malaria treatment and prevention

IT & Technology
Testing ICT solutions for rural development and resilience
Japan finally embraces the use of drones in disaster relief efforts
‘Smart’ bins solution for better waste management

Distributed Manufacturing
A framework for scaling distributed manufacturing in the Global South

Engineering for Change
Battery swapping Is cutting the cost of India's electric vehicles in half
Traditional Philippine fishing gets a sustainability upgrade

Prolinnova
Replicable innovation for rural farming: a solution to cassava harvesting challenges in Kerala and beyond
Sadia Issifu – farmer innovator and women’s banker in Walewale, North Ghana

Practical Action
In pictures: how clean energy is fuelling the future of farming in Burkina Fasa

Events Preview & Review
Humanitarian aid and development in a polarised world: DIHAD 2025 to champion global collaboration
AidEx and Development2030 - Review

Events Calendar

Front Cover: The Tambon 2.0 is a partially submerged bamboo platform that doubles as a fish nursery and a fixed net for more sustainable fisheries in the Philippines. Credit Alve Ortego / Center for Disaster (see page 51)