Our Approach to Development and Poverty Alleviation

Among all the elements that sustainable development encompasses, sustained livelihoods is primary and tops the list of the priorities of the rural poor. Since agriculture forms the base of the rural economy in India, interventions designed for the development of the rural population should therefore directly target upon raising their capacities. for increased production. The .small and marginal farmers are constrained due to limited access to land and capital and thus have low farm incomes .Therefore there is a need to optimize productivity with limited resources at hand.

As an implementing organization we specialize in people centered approaches to problems facing the Indian agriculture markets. Along with water management solutions , we also work upon improving their accessibility to markets and related agri inputs which are crucial for enhanced productivity. The innovation in the IDE process lies in coupling the marketing principles with the development agenda. While keeping the sale of technologies our immediate target, we majorly focus on bridging the gap that exists between farmers , the markets and the agricultural innovations of the green revolution.

IDEI's Unique approach to Development

The Uniqueness of IDEI lies in its adoption of applying commercial business principles in the its path of socio-economic development as a tool to sustainability of programmes. IDEI seeks to create a strong and continuing demand by motivating and nurturing an effective supply chain.

Giver to enabler approach

For most, small and marginal farmers are either 'recipients of charity' or at best, 'beneficiaries'. Divulging from the oft-repeated charity modes of the past trends IDEI views the small and marginal farmer is a potential 'customer',. , this innovative giver to enabler approach to development marks the beginning of a dynamic growth in the socio-economic development of the marginalized farming segment.

At IDEI, we firmly believe that a farmer, however marginalized, has the capability and dignity to purchase affordable range of products and we have established that through their use increase his/her earnings by more than 100% within one cropping season Consequently, a notable achievement has been the utilisation of donor funds for the establishment of a penetrative delivery mechanism ie., a commercial marketing channel ensuring the availability of its products at the village level.

The technology self selects the poor

The technology marketed by IDEI has the inherent capacity that it is most conducive for use by the poor .More than 70% of the Indian farmers are small land holders cultivating land less than one hectare. They require technologies that are simple in design and low cost and suitable for their small landsize .IDEI microirrigation technologies having high benefit to cost ratio and a rate of return of 100%, are an ideal investment for small farmers as they are risk averse and can suitably employ their surplus domestic labour. Similarly these technologies are designed for smaller plot sizes and therefore do not attract the rich farmers as they can afford expensive technologies to meet the irrigation demand of their large plots.

Direct impact on the economy of the rural poor

The technologies marketed and promoted by IDEI, frees the farmer from the limitations of rain fed farming, enabling him to grow wider variety of crops , cultivate all the year round, higher cropping intensity and priority farming. Good irrigation technologies and agricultural practices coupled with enhanced participation of the poor in the markets is the key to income generation .At IDEI we believe that income dimension is important because it adds to all other dimensions .

Market forces as partners in development

Along with economic development of farmers we simultaneously work for enhancement of economic status of village based manufacturers and dealers by providing them with business opportunities. IDEI ensures that each member of the distribution chain earns profit by promoting technologies and thus the market is sustained to deliver to the poor farmers.To instill greater ownership in them and our gradual phasing out of the program, we are training the supply chain members to take over the promotional activities and quality assurance of the products.

Action Oriented Learning and Implementation

At IDEI we have a very effective research and documentation process that helps us to incorporate the lessons that emerge from action oriented learnings in our future actions . Each analysis gives us a clear action plan to formulate our strategies for the greater sustainability of our program.

Top of page