The Village of the Future

A Cure for Urban Overpopulation

Outlining:
Topic
vilage.

: How to solve urban overpopulation by developing the

Main idea
used to develop

: There are six technologies and two methods that can be

the village.

Supporting details :

Technologies :
Biogas digesters
Low cost hand pump and slow sand filtration water purification system
Solar energy
Soybean seeder
Ferrocement rice storage bins
Low cost materials : bamboo aand rattan
Methods
:
Building Together program
Village Water Committees
Conclusion

With those methods ang technologies, rural farmers have no need to join
urbanization because they can develop a better village for the future.

Summary:
In the article The Village of the Future : A Cure for Urban Overpopulation,
David L. Terry stated that many rural farmers move to already crowded cities,
looking for another employments. They make that decision because they cant
survive and afford sufficient rice during dry season. Actually, modern agricultural
technology has been developed. But, with their low income, it will be too
expensive.
Asian Institute of Technology gives some solutions to cope that problems.
AIT develops some simple- low cost technology that may be helpful for the
farmers life. First, they can use biogas digesters to produce cooking gas. Biogas
digesters just need night soil, rice straw, and water hyacinth as a fuel. Beside
that, the slurry producing plankton of the biogas digesters can be used to feed
fish in their ponds. Second, AIT has developed a low cost hand pump and slow

sand filtration water purification system, so farmers can get enough clean water
for their activities. Third, they dont need electricity to dry rice or refrigerate
perishable crops because they can use solar energy. It will be possible for them
to dry their rice harvest efficiently during rainy season. Then, during the dry
season, they can plant soybeans, which have good market price and are very
nutritious, easily with soybean seeder . To keep their harvest, farmers can use
ferrocement rice storage bins as a low cost storage beacuse it is made from
basic raw materials such as sand, cement, and reinforcing mesh. AIT develops
other low cost materials too like bamboo with rattan bindings that are used to
replace steel reinforcement for road construction.
Beside technologies, AIT recommends two methods that should be
developed. First, they should form Village Water Committees which allow them
to own and operate their water projects. That committees will ensure proper
operation and maintenance of the water supply. Second is Building Together
program, groups of families build their own houses. They will produce their own
ground beams and bricks, so they can keep the cost minimum. In conclusion,
with those solutions, rural farmers have no need to join urbanization because
they can develop their village for their better life.

Written by:
William Wibowo / SAPPK / 19914155