Action Research
Dedicated to the principle that any sustainable strategy must be largely self-financing, the technologies and institutional forms designed by Development Alternatives rely on the use of good science and effective management methods. Economically viable, environmentally sound and socially relevant technology packages and management systems are developed and demonstrated for widespread delivery of products and services at decentralised scale.
These technologies and market-based systems are basically designed to serve the interests of all, especially the rural artisan, cottage based micro-entrepreneur, micro enterprises, small industries, farmers and landless labourers and not merely the rich and powerful. Customisation has enabled external commercial partners to adopt these technologies and promote them in a commercial environment.
To accelerate the creation of sustainable livelihoods, Development Alternatives set up a number of organisations with specific guidelines aimed at achieving the mission of DA. These organisations use commercially viable methods to carry out this work. The primary partner of Development Alternatives, Technology and Action for Rural Advancement (TARA) manufactures and markets appropriate technologies to small enterprises.
To facilitate this process, TARA has established a number of subsidiary organisations, some under the Societies Act and others under the Companies Act for providing specific support to its network partners. These include the TARA Nirman Kendra (TNK) to propagate cost-effective building technologies, DESI Power to deliver electricity to communities, and TARA Machines to market green technology solutions for building construction, waste recycling and hand made paper production.
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