Help Farmers in Nicaragua Move Out of Poverty

Selling drip irrigation systems to small coffee farmers is not a very common activity in Central America, and there is not yet a supply chain established. First experiences show that most farmers using the IDE systems are highly satisfied, and the price is very competitive. What is challenging is to position IDE technologies as high-quality product despite their low cost. This is why IDE needs to create a strong supply chain by finding different distribution channels such as large and local retailers, cooperatives and NGOs.

These conclusions have led IDE to start work towards the creation of “IDEal MicroRiego” , a social enterprise dealing in micro-irrigation products & services serving small farmers in Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Costa Rica.

Small land holding farmers in Central America should be able access low cost micro-irrigation products on a sustainable base, close to where they live and get the necessary support in case the systems need to be expanded, maintained or repaired with spare parts. IDE is of the opinion that the creation of “IDEal MicroRiego” as a wholesale company is the most suitable way to address these needs.

Your support of this project goes towards helping to connect small farmers to this social business, allowing for the establishment of a sustainable value chain within the communities that use these technologies. By creating a business that will manufacture and market these low cost irrigation technologies, IDE has found a sound way to provide these communities in Central America with a solution that benefits all players in the value chain.

In 2008, IDE installed approximately 40 micro irrigation drip systems for coffee irrigation in Nicaragua. In the process of installing the systems IDE was able to successfully train 40 local technicians in proper installation and maintenance of the systems. Such training will enable necessary scaling up of the project and replication in surrounding areas.

Local manufacturers have been identified and are now in the process of redefining the drip systems so that they can be produced locally in Nicaragua using material that is readily available in the area.

Our partner in the region, ECOM, has taken 9 drip systems to neighboring Honduras for demonstration plot installation. This will support our efforts to expand the project in the coming months to neighboring coffee producing coutries.