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Upgraded water mills allows millers to grind grain more efficiently |
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| Description |
The Centre for Rural Technology, Nepal (CRT/N), with support from the Government of Nepal and the Netherlands Government, runs a programme to upgrade traditional water mills, so that they work more efficiently, can operate for a longer period of the year, and also be used for other activities apart from grinding. Millers with improved water mills can earn more income and have extra time for other purposes. The flour produced from water mills is of better quality than from diesel mills, because it does not get so hot during grinding. |
| Primarily For
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Agriculture |
| Other Purposes
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Agriculture |
| Climate |
N/A |
| Emphasis |
Communities, Individuals, Industries |
| Effort to Implement
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Moderate |
| Maximum Cost |
$
250 |
| Why |
In order to process the grain they grow, women and children from farming families often have to carry heavy loads long distances to the nearest water mill and wait hours whilst the grain is slowly ground into flour. For centuries, these farming communities have relied on traditional water mills to process their grain. There are around 25,000 of these mills in Nepal that use the power of running water to grind grain.
Using hydro-power to grind grain makes sense in a region where there are plenty of streams and access to basic energy supplies is limited. The traditional water mills are, however, extremely inefficient, producing just enough energy (less than 0.5kW) for the simple task of grinding the grain. As a result the mills are unable to satisfy local demand resulting in a rise in the number of diesel powered mills.
For the mill owners, operating the water mills is extremely hard work and they often have to work for 12-18 hours a day in order to make a living. Living and sleeping next to the mill also means the whole family is constantly breathing in flour dust, which is damaging to the health and well-being of the family. |
| URL(s) |
http://www.ashdenawards.org/winners/crt
http://www.crtnepal.org/projects.php
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| Availability Limits |
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| Resources |
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| Email |
lumink@crtnepal.org |
