The application of ethnographic methods to engineering for global development: the case of the Improvised Betel Nut Cutter

This technical brief is an attempt to report a case analysis of Engineering for Global Development (EGD) research from India. As a part of the engineering design and research project, two models of Improvised Betel Nut Cutter (IBNC) are designed, manufactured and field-tested. Engineering ethnography is adopted as a research tool during the design process of IBCN. It facilitated the participation of local stakeholders in the design process which is found to be effective for contextual understandings of the target community's needs, aspirations, constraints and socio-cultural norms and values. The technological intervention is expected to solve the problems like finger cuts, health drudgery (musculoskeletal pain, back pain, etc.) of the women involved in the supari business in Assam, India. It will also improve productivity and efficiency in the supari cutting practices of women. This case analysis depicts the effectiveness of trans-disciplinary effort in solving complex engineering problems at the bottom of the pyramid (BOP). Evidence gathered from this study is expected to be a useful resource for future endeavours in EGD research.

The Competitiveness of Agriculture in EU Member States According to the Competitiveness Pyramid Model

Agriculture in the European Union is highly differentiated, and one of the objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy is to improve agricultural competitiveness. Therefore, surveys regarding the competitiveness of agriculture and grouping countries of the European Union (EU) according to similar characteristics of agriculture are very valuable. They help make strategic decisions concerning the agricultural sector. This paper aims to evaluate the agricultural competitiveness of EU member states in 2010–2019. Data used is derived from the Eurostat and FADN (Farm Accountancy Data Network). The study employed a competitiveness pyramid model based on two groups of factors–competitiveness sources (bottom of the pyramid) and competitiveness effects. Partial components allocated to the groups mentioned above of factors were used to calculate a synthetic measure to determine the level of agricultural competitiveness in respective countries. The studies revealed that EU agriculture varies both in terms of resources and relationships between production factors, as well as the efficiency of their utilization. A clear difference in the level of competitiveness occurred between old and new member states, although some new countries ranked relatively high in terms of competitiveness sources (Czechia and Poland). Belgium scored highest for the synthetic measure of agricultural competitiveness in 2010–2019, and Cyprus had the lowest. It was demonstrated that human resources were of utmost importance in the structure of competitiveness sources. In turn, the average holding area determined the management conditions to the highest extent.

AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF AWARENESS ON RURAL HEALTH PROGARMMES IN MUDIKANDANALLUR VILLAGE, SRIMUSHNAM TALUK,CUDDALORE DISTRICT,TAMILNADU

World Health Organization (WHO) defines adolescence as the period of life between 10and 19 year of age. The adolescent experiences not only physical growth and change but also emotional, psychological, social, and mental change and growth. Physiological changes change lead to sexual maturity and usually occur during the first several year of this period. Adolescence represents a window of opportunity to prepare for a healthy adult life. The world’s adolescent population-1200 million persons, 10-19 year of age or about 19% of the total population-faces series of serious challenges not affecting their growth and development but also their livelihood as adults. Yet adolescents remain a largely neglected, difficult-to-measure, and hard-to-reach population, in which the needs of adolescent girls in particular are often ignored. Adolescence is period of increased risk taking and therefore susceptibility to behavioural problems at the time of puberty and new concerns about reproductive health. Majority of adolescents still do not have access to information and education on sexuality, reproduction, and sexual and reproductive health and rights, nor do they have access to preventive and preventive curative service. Commercial innovation to address health needs at the bottom of the pyramid for more than 800 million men, women and children across India living on USD 1-3 ADAY, the idea if accessible and affordable medicine is often as remote as their rural homes. Arogya Parivar (“health family’’ in Hindi) is a for-profit social initiative developed by Novartis to reach the undeserved million living at the bottom of the pyramid in rural India. After just years, Arogya Parivar is proving to be both a force for improving rural health programme in rural community and a sustainable business.

ANALYSIS OF GRASSROOTS INNOVATION PRACTICE TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN MALAYSIA

Grassroots innovation is an activity that uses multiple resources or indigenous technology to create an innovation more creatively. The innovations are often utilised to improvise the community and environment. The invented product or process is created at the bottom of the pyramid due to necessities, difficulties, and challenges. Malaysia thrives to become a high income developed nation through several initiatives, such as lifelong learning and innovation. Malaysians are encouraged to undertake education programmes to enhance knowledge and skills. These grassroots activities need to be discovered as they affect income and social values. The local grassroots innovators have difficulty commercialising the innovations due to a lack of skills, knowledge, and technology. This study aimed to identify the grassroots innovations, the process in developing innovation, and complement the innovation towards commercialisation. Local innovators adapt to the new product development process as a mutual understanding and for grassroots sustainable development.