Local technologies based on traditional, indigenous knowledge and skills have stood the test of time. They have been accepted without question by village communities, and have been used extensively. Their low cost makes them easily replicable wherever similar problems exist. If the people were left to themselves they would use such technologies more widely. This is the biggest threat to the practice.
Local people find it difficult to stand firm and press their case.
They have a lack of communication skills and low self-esteem. This approach has been tested over the last 25 years and has proven to be effective. The barefoot professionals are no longer too shy to meet with and talk to urban-trained 'experts' on an equal footing. The schools now have teachers, albeit barefoot teachers with no paper qualifications. Over 150 young people from nine states of India have been trained as barefoot solar engineers.