Intermediate Technology Publications

The authors of this interdisciplinary book stress that a full understanding of the many aspects of the introduction of new technology is the only way to achieve a workable compromise regarding...

This book describes the stages of mulberry bush growing, silkworm egg production, silkworm rearing, silk cocoon reeling and silk fabric production. Ideal for fieldworkers, development agencies and...

The result of a review of the literature on infrastructure design for urban low-income housing. Covers infrastructure planning; site preparation; drainage; roads and access; water supply; power...

This informative overview and analysis of slash/mulch practices from around the world, particularly from the tropics, shows that they have generally shortened the necessary fallow periods and have...

This book looks at some of the experiences of small and medium enterprises projects. Four themes considered of central importance to SME development, financial support, technical and management...

The artisanal mining of alluvial gold is an extremely common small mining activity in many countries. This is a comprehensive and practical guide aimed at filling a need for improved goldmining...

This is a practical handbook providing an introduction to the equipment, maintenance and operation of solar pumping systems. It identifies situations where solar pumps may be appropriate and it...

The basic principles of spinning are described by the text and line drawings, and are supplemented by descriptions of methods of testing spun yarn quality; different types of small-scale spinning...

This book brings together important aspects of both the technological and business skills needed to successfully start and operate a small food processing business.Author: Peter FellowsPublisher:...

Stepping Forward presents the key issues and challenges involved in facilitating children and young people's participation. The contributors to this book come from a range of backgrounds including...

This useful general survey describes the varieties and uses of stone as a building material - whether cut or field-stone - and how to extract, work and use it. A new chapter on stone and the...

This book focuses on the storage of staple commodities such as grains and root crops, it also covers other major food groups such as oils, fish, fruit and vegetables. Useful reading for volunteers...

This manual is written to help engineers, aid and agency workers understand drainage problems, so that they can work towards finding practical solutions. It focuses on: what is drainage performance?...

Conventional methods for designing water systems in industrialized countries are not appropriate in developing countries. Despite this, the use of sophisticated technologies worldwide is widespread,...

This book comprises papers from the 21st WEDC conference, held in 1995, on the theme of sustainability of water and sanitation systems. Topics include the sustainable development of underground and...

This book describes principles and construction techniques for builders, householders and communities who are building in hazard-prone areas. The principles are clearly and simply presented- and in a...

A guide to good-quality thatching, describing in words and pictures how to achieve the maximum possible roof-life using either cultivated or naturally-occurring materials. Reviews the advantages and...

The phenomenon of the transnational mega-charity is examined as are the threats to the independence of voluntary organizations from governments, UN agencies and from charities themselves. This is...

This guide is designed to help skilled blacksmiths who have little or no teaching experience to train others in forge work techniques, using easily obtainable equipment and scrap metal to produce...

Manual oil extraction from peanuts or other soft oil-seeds can be a viable enterprise for small businesses. This book describes small-scale processes of oil-extraction for possible use in rural...

The challenge for foresters, and other rural development professionals, is to build new landscapes which provide a range of biomass products to local users. This book will contribute to that task by...

This book traces the development of Ghana's informal engineering sector through stories of the progress of the actual people involved. The first generation of grassroots engineers are wayside vehicle...

The book offers a general introduction to timber poles as a construction material. Timber poles have served throughout history as a low-cost, environmentally friendly and structurally efficient...

Confronts the paradox of mass poverty coexisting with vast resource potentials in rural India, such as the potentials from groundwater and trees, previously underestimated. Combines empirical...

This publication reviews the wide range of beancurd varieties available, the principles used in their manufacture by traditional methods and those methods that have potential for large-scale...

This book gives many proved and practical ways of getting the transformation process started. Book 4 focuses on five issues which have become more prominent in the concerns of communities throughout...

Three volumes designed to assist workers in the field who are encouraging the development of self-reliant creative communities. The book has as its basic philosophy the belief that we should all...

This book shows how to provide effective training in food processing, which can open up opportunities for individuals who lack business experience. It explains the importance of needs assessment,...

This books shows that women can be instrumental in expanding and democratizing national economies: creating wealth and family well-being. Through a history of UNIFEM, the author shows how the...

Value for Money? is the first book to systematically evaluate, measure and review the costs and benefits of small enterprise programmes through a range of examples of best practice from within the...