Published on: 10/02/2008
(January 25, 2008) International Development Enterprises (IDE) today announced a grant of $27 million over four years from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in support of its micro-irrigation programs for Indian smallholder farmers.
Facts about the project:
- The project will be carried out in 14 states in India and will include the installation of 160,000 foot powered water pumps (“treadle pumps”) and 90,000 drip irrigation systems.
- Overall, the project will create $300.3 million in additional income for small farm families, landless laborers, and suppliers; a ratio of $12 generated to every $1 from the grant.
- The grant will provide funding for the development of an expanded product line of micro-irrigation technologies including water storage devices, low pressure sprinklers, and solar- and wind-powered pumps.
- Major project activities will include technology development; development of manufacturing and retail supply chains, social marketing initiatives, and dissemination of technologies development and strategies developed more globally; and micro-credit.
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