IDE: Leading Micro Irrigation


Revolution in Nepal


By TC Correspondent


International Development Enterprises (IDE) has been taking a leading role in the micro- irrigation revolution in Nepal since 1992. As the primary objective of IDE Nepal is to increase the income of the poor, small holder farmers, it has developed a PRISM value-chain approach to enable market opportunities based on the comparative advantages of smallholders. “IDE in Nepal is well known for its contribution to micro-irrigation.


The organisation has developed micro-irrigation products like drip systems, efficient micro sprinklers, treadle pumps (manual foot pumps) and water storage / distribution technologies,” said Dr Luke A Colavito, Country Director of the organisation. IDE Nepal has also taken a leading role in developing innovative, low-cost water irrigation systems including multiple use water systems that provide water for both irrigation and domestic use.


Dedicated to the market development approach for poor smallholders, IDE Nepal has developed the PRISM value-chain approach to enable market opportunities based on the comparative advantages of smallholders. The PRISM approach focuses on developing sustainable and profitable enterprises to market appropriate inputs and provides embedded training services and market access for smallholders. IDE works closely with government agencies including the Department of Agriculture, Department of Irrigation and the Ministry of Local Development under the concept of publicprivate partnership.

“We closely work with these government agencies as private companies are not developing the micro-irrigation technologies because they cannot recapture their investment in design and initial promotion,” said Dr Colavito.


IDE has been investing in design and initial promotion enabling the private sector to manufacture and sustain micro-irrigation supply chains. In recent years, the organisation has been working to develop surface irrigation schemes with the support of the European Commission and World Food Programme.


IDE Nepal has also developed appropriate agricultural equipment for essential oil distillation, coffee processing, non-timber forest products, spices/herbs, livestock and fisheries. It has been promoting horticultural packages that integrate the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) technologies.


Over the last 19 years, the organisation has substantially increased the incomes of over 241,000 rural poor households, benefiting over 1.25 million people. At present, the organisation is engaged in 26 districts. “Over 200,000 micro-irrigation systems have been adopted by poor farmers. It has increased their annual agricultural incomes by about 50 per cent,” informed Dr Colavito. IDE Nepal has facilitated construction of 177 Multiple Use Water System (MUS) benefiting more than 5,062 rural households.


More than 158 vegetable collection centres have been facilitated for the development and enhancement which is being operated by the local Market and Planning Committees (MPC). In Essential Oil Distillation Units (DU), the organisation has facilitated for instalment of a total of 102 DUs benefiting 3,429 households.


Apart from the government agencies, IDE Nepal closely works with international partners like Save the Children, Winrock International, Department for International Development (DFID), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Commission (EC), World Food Programme (WFP) and European Union (EU). It also works with the local NGOs. The IDE Nepal programme has been addressing rural instability as follows:


• IDE Nepal’s income generation components of governance programmes build strong community support. It also improves local level economic governance by establishing sustainable rural enterprises and institutions.


• It helps in women’s development and inclusion through providing opportunities for women and disadvantaged groups to increase their incomes and to participate in local economic institutions in decision making roles. Over 50 per cent of training programmes are for women, 15 per cent for Dalits and 40 per cent for Janajatis.


• It has been building government capacity to support the private sector and facilitating public-private partnerships to effectively utilise public resources to develop market opportunities.


• It has been developing rural collection centres. It develops marketing and planning committees to manage community collection centres creating market access and dramatically improving local economic governance.