Forget the grand, expensive solutions! Frugal innovation tells a different story, a story of resourcefulness, ingenuity, and a deep understanding of human needs. It’s about crafting solutions that are lean, affordable, and accessible, not just for the privileged few but for the many. Imagine a medical device made from readily available materials, a water filtration system built with bamboo, or an energy-efficient stove fueled by readily available biomass. These are the beautiful tales of frugal innovation – solutions born out of necessity, driven by a potent mix of practicality and resourcefulness.
Why is this approach a blessing for sustainable development? The answer lies in its very essence. Frugal innovation thrives on doing more with less, a principle that resonates deeply with the need for sustainable practices. It minimises waste, maximises efficiency, and empowers local communities to participate actively in their progress. Focusing on needs rather than desires fosters equitable access to essential resources, making sustainability a privilege and a possibility for all.
The connection between Frugal Innovation (FI) and Sustainable Development (SD) is especially significant in rural development contexts. Previous studies have shown that FI greatly supports SD. Sustainable development has become a crucial issue in many sectors, particularly in the Global South, where various business models play.
Despite promising research on the benefits of FI for SD, more needs to be known about how FI specifically impacts SD in rural areas, where over 44% of the global population lives (World Bank, 2021). Prioritising rural areas and developing policies and frameworks related to agriculture and rural development is crucial to effectively meeting the SDGs.
FI is essential in meeting the basic needs of low-income individuals in rural areas who have limited access to critical products and services like healthcare, clean water, sanitation, and energy. Providing these benefits can significantly improve the well-being and development of rural communities. By developing innovative and affordable products and services, FI can address challenges related to affordability and accessibility, benefiting those affected by poverty and inequality in rural areas.
Moreover, FI promotes an inclusive, pro-poor business approach that encourages learning, generates new knowledge, and expands opportunities for low-income individuals in rural areas. The lack of adequate employment opportunities in many rural communities further hampers poverty eradication and economic growth at both individual and community levels.
More resources, including financial and technical assistance, also hinder entrepreneurial development and the growth of small enterprises. FI fosters community engagement, economic growth mechanisms, and spillover effects into other social aspects like health and education. By expanding opportunities and capabilities for impoverished individuals, FI contributes to their overall empowerment.
Despite the recent increase in the middle and affluent class, a significant portion of the population remains in the lower middle class and below. Therefore, to address their issues, it is essential to develop innovations that are accessible to them. This approach is crucial to initiating a technological revolution in Bangladesh.
The country has seen its fair share of frugal innovations that have solved many social problems. Let’s take the Arsenic crisis, for example. Dr. Abul Hussam, a Bangladeshi scientist, invented an arsenic filter to protect rural Bangladeshis from arsenicosis. The filter was distributed to numerous families nationwide, and they were trained to use it.
10 Minutes School is an online platform that contributes to nationwide student education. Although internet connectivity remains a challenge in rural areas, the launch of the 10 Minutes School Mobile Application can have a significant impact thanks to the availability of 3G and 4G internet.
Bkash, like Kenya’s Mpesa, assists lower-income individuals in accessing financial services. With a significant portion of the population working in the informal sector, Bkash is gradually helping them integrate into the formal economy.
FI also played a crucial part during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the COVID-19 pandemic spread rapidly, the significance of Frugal Innovation in the health sector grew. One major challenge in Bangladesh’s fight against COVID-19 was the need for healthcare technology, with frequent discussions about the shortage of ventilators, test kits, and other essential equipment. This is where frugal innovations made a crucial difference.
Bangladesh’s most notable frugal innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic was the Rapid Dot Blot testing kit developed by Gonoshasthaya Kendra, which was significantly cheaper than imported test kits. This served as a critical tool Bangladesh needed to combat the pandemic.
Bangladeshi doctors have previously created similar innovations. In 2017, a Bangladeshi doctor invented a ventilator using shampoo bottles to treat infants with pneumonia. Such inventions are essential because traditional, expensive medical equipment is becoming scarce and needs more for the increasing number of patients.
Frugal innovations have the potential to significantly enhance the lifestyle of Bangladeshi people. While innovations in the medical sector are particularly crucial at the moment, frugal innovations can also positively impact other areas.
From affordable housing to easier access to power, frugal innovations have improved people’s lives. To promote such innovations, several steps can be taken.
Bangladesh has 13 public engineering universities across the country. These universities should be encouraged to develop cost-effective solutions to social problems, with researchers incentivised through government-sponsored scholarships abroad, provided they agree to return to the country. Additionally, Bangladesh has over 40 public medical colleges in various districts. If they develop sustainable solutions to local health problems, these colleges could be offered funding for research, infrastructural development, and government jobs for researchers.
The government could also organise competitions with incentives such as research funding, scholarships, and cash prizes to crowdsource innovative solutions for social issues. However, regardless of the specific strategies, the next budget must prioritise Research and Development. Bangladesh risks falling into the middle-income trap without a technological leap, a common issue for many middle-income countries. A technological revolution could improve the general population’s lives and ensure economic stability and security for the country.
Aurthor: Shiddhartho Zaman
