Fisheries Extension Education (2+1) copy 1

3.1.1 Technology – definitions and characters

Technology refers to ways of making or doing things. It is derived from the Greek word “ techne” meaning art or craft and “logia” meaning area of study.

A technology is a design for instrumental action that reduces the uncertainty in the cause-effect relationships involved in achieving a desired outcome. A technology usually has two components: i) a hardware aspect consisting of tool that embodies the technology as material or physical objects, ii) a software aspect consisting of information base for the tool. According to Yotopoulos and Nugent (1976), a technology is a body of knowledge that can be applied in productive process.

Chattopadhyay (1976) pointed out the three attributes of a technology which will make it acceptable to farmers as: i) economic viability, ii) suitability and iii) conformity with the socio-economic attributes of farmers. Anderson (1979) suggested that a technology must be tested in three conditions of : i) resource appropriateness ii) needs appropriateness and iii) goal appropriateness.

On the basis of the above definitions, the following are the characteristics of a technology.

a. Science or scientific know- how

b. Art of systematic knowledge

c. Practical utility

d. Production potentiality

In nutshell, technology refers to the art of systematic knowledge of science or scientific know-how, which may be practically utilized in the related field for the purpose of boosting the production potentiality.

Technological development is the process of research and development of technology . Many emerging technologies are expected to become generally applied in the near future.

The new technology development process leans on the development through the use of a technology (e.g. by introducing products that are based on the new technology in the market).

The technology development stages include innovation, imitation, technological competition and standardization.