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A cement material, or binder, is an essential ingredient in most forms of building construction. Portland cement has become a widely accepted cementitious material, but it is more expensive than other binders and unsuited to small-scale production. In addition, although it is stronger than most alternatives, there are uses for which alternatives such as lime are more suited. Lime is versatile, durable and suitable for use in complex and intricate decorative and restoration work, as well as in simple buildings. If greater strength is required, a variety of materials known as pozzolanas can be added to the lime. Examples of pozzolanas include rice husk ash, brick dust and certain types of naturally occurring volcanic ash. The most successful material in any area depends on local primary resources and the development of appropriate technology. Lime gypsum and lime pozzolanas could be reintroduced successfully if more information were available and appropriate building standards enforced. This book brings together expert knowledge from around the world about the use of different alternative binders, presenting case histories which demonstrate the successes and the pitfalls, as well as practical information based on experience. A recurring theme in the book is the need to work towards the wider acceptance of lime, and alternative binders by: establishing realistic performance standards for alternative cements and getting these standards accepted in international, national and local building codes and standards. Establishing simple testing procedures to measure compliance with these performance standards; holding seminars and training courses and compiling case study material on existing production and use; and, initiating research and development projects of a practical nature.

This source book describes the traditional methods of fish processing and then looks at new and improved techniques which in most cases can be constructed locally. Types of processing covered include drying, salting, smoking and fermenting.INTRODUCTION ix1 Principles of fish processing 1Spoilage 1Effective handling practice 2Effective processing to inhibit spoilage 3Insect infestation 7Packaging, transport and storage 82 Traditional fish processing methods 10Drying 10Salting 11Smoking 12Fermentation 12Outlines of traditional processing methods 13Prevention of insect infestation 263 Improved processing and equipment 27Pre-processing aspects 27Drying 29Salting 32Smoking 33Fermentation 35Prevention of insect infestation 354 Case studies 395 Planning a project or enterprise 486 Illustrated guide 51REFERENCES 64FURTHER READING 66CONTACTS 67

Focuses on the processing of four cereals - maize (or corn), rice, sorghum and wheat. A useful guide for those intending to set up a cereal-processing enterprise. Topics include harvesting, threshing, storage, milling, hulling, baking and fermenting.This source book is one of a continuing UNIFEM series which aims to increase aware­ness of the range of technological options and sources of expertise, as well as indicating the complex nature of designing and successfully implementing technology develop­ment and dissemination programmes.

A detailed survey of the main areas of bio-energy and biomass, solar energy and hydro, wind and water power. The authors address the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energies, their appropriateness, and their socio-economic implications.

Modern Coconut Management is aimed at guiding those who work with small-scale farmers and farmer groups through the complex area of coconut management. It will also be of value to the many processors and others whose livelihoods depend on coconuts.

This book describes communities that first built on their own assets, before seeking assistance from outside. What are the common factors that help all these communities mobilize? Do outside organizations have a role to play? It is aimed at community workers, researchers and policy makers who want to take a fresh look at community development.

Do we use obscure or fashionable words to impress our colleagues or win research proposals? Are many of our actions against poverty simple, direct and wrong? Provocations for Development is an entertaining and unsettling collection of writings that questions concepts, conventions and practices in development. It is made up of short and accessible writings by Robert Chambers reflecting on the evolution of concepts like participation and of organizations like the World Bank. Besides provocations, there is mischief, verse and serious fun. The book irreverently examines vocabularies of development and how words are instruments of power; challenges concepts of poverty, presents empowering breakthroughs in the current explosion of participatory methodologies; is critical of past and present procedures and practices in aid; points to feasible changes for doing better; touches on values, ethics, gender and participation, immersions, hypocrisy, and paradigms; and finally invites readers to ponder the question 'what would it take to eliminate poverty in the world?'

Maximum transparency, a profitable structure for saving, access to small loans and an annual lump sum of capital are the hallmarks of the Savings Group methodology. The outcome: empowered groups, made up mostly of women, who manage themselves as tiny financial institutions.Today there are Savings Groups in 60 countries with over 6 million members

To mark the UN Year of Energy in 2012, Practical Action is publishing some of its best practical briefings and case study material for the benefit of energy development practitioners around the world. Practical Answers 1 is the first in a new series of handbooks that provide guides on a variety of subjects for international development workers.

This book presents 15 case studies and a variety of approaches to document the capacities and constraints to be encountered among communities facing changing climates in Bangladesh, Cameroon, Canada, Ecuador, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malawi, Mexico, Mozambique, Peru, South Africa, Sudan, United States, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.

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 also a story about lessons of heroism and folly, of bungling and luck and failure - and of achievements that have improved the lives of millions.

Microplanning is a community-based process which enables local people to prepare and implement programmes for settlement upgrading. Local participants contribute to both the content and structure of programmes. Case studies from Chile and Sri Lanka.

This book explores how international NGOs are navigating these rapid changes, changes that challenge their role and legitimacy, their values, and their overall purpose. It calls for a re-examination of theories about change, and a re-focus on ideas of complexity and feminism and on learning from past NGO experience.

Poor people bear the brunt of climate change since they live in those regions most affected by fluctuating temperatures, sea level rise, flooding and drought. Far from behaving as victims, however, they use the assets and resources at their disposal to adapt and survive. How can agencies assist local communities adapting to change? By what mechanisms can communities make the most of emerging information? Can effective community-based approaches be scaled up? Understanding Adaptation to Climate Change demonstrates that although communities' adaptation strategies may be varied and depend on local context, social networks play a pivotal role in accessing appropriate climate knowledge and resources and communicating useful approaches to other communities. The key activities of reducing vulnerability, fostering resilience and developing the capacity to experiment and learn are combined as appropriate. This book is essential reading for NGO practitioners, students and government and NGO policy makers who wish to gain an understanding of what adaptation means in theory and practice.

Setting up a Food Drying Business is essential for people setting up food drying projects. It provides the reader with the prior information and tools necessary for starting such a business. It is also of interest to those in partner organizations who wish to develop a better understanding of this important sector.

Links the issues of sustainable agriculture and land reform. When farmers own their land they are likely to produce more food and to farm sustainably. Large increases in food output occur when farmers are given land under agrarian reform programmes.

In many developing countries access to veterinary services is a particular problem in rural areas, and poor farmers suffer significant losses due to preventable livestock diseases. This book describes three Intermediate Technology programmes built from local knowledge.

To mark the UN Year of Energy in 2012, Practical Action is publishing some of its best practical briefings and case study material for the benefit of energy development practitioners around the world. Practical Answers 1 is the first in a new series of handbooks that provide guides on a variety of subjects for international development workers.

This book presents 15 case studies and a variety of approaches to document the capacities and constraints to be encountered among communities facing changing climates in Bangladesh, Cameroon, Canada, Ecuador, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malawi, Mexico, Mozambique, Peru, South Africa, Sudan, United States, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.

Community-based adaptation is a new concept whose meaning is still to be fully understood. Most agree that communities should be supported to respond to the challenges they face, and some see this as the goal of community-based adaptation. By contrast, Uncertain Futures proposes that community-based adaptation must also address inevitable future uncertainty by supporting the ongoing ability to change. In this view, attention is focused on adaptive capacity, through which communities are able to make changes to their lives and livelihoods in response to emerging environmental change. Uncertain Futures argues that as greenhouse gas emissions continue to accumulate, a 'business as usual' approach to development practice is increasingly inadequate and the importance of securing adaptive capacity becomes more urgent. Uncertain Futures examines this challenge, and invites readers to rethink development policy and practice in terms of how adaptive capacity can be best supported. This book should be read by the staff of donor agencies, policy makers, NGO practitioners, academics and students of development studies and the environment.

This book reflects the implications of a social performance management agenda for the perspective of twelve partners from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe, who participated in a three-year microfinance action-research programme known as Imp-Act

This book highlights the broad range of expertise that exists in rural areas. The book first gives a brief account of women's indigenous technical knowledge, and its extent. It goes on to explore women's role in the innovation process and how technical innovation has conventionally ignored this.