Impact
There is a Latin proverb, “Many Hands Make Light Work”. IDEI believes that the impact it has been able to generate has been possible only because different stakeholders- the smallholder farmer, the donors, the private supply chain members and the IDEI team synergised with a common goal of reducing poverty.
Impacts can be broadly classified into two categories in terms of time frame.
Short-Term Impacts are primarily increased in production levels using the technology which in turn is due to increase in cropping intensity and net cultivation area. This leads to income effects. As micro-irrigation technology generates at least a 100 percent return on investment in the first crop, the farmers have the capital to invest further in agriculture and allied activities and meet immediate consumption needs and social requirements.
Long-Term Impacts include the benefits accrued due to the enabling effect of the farmers to grow wider variety of fruits and vegetables, thus enhancing their agricultural skills. With the removal of water and capital constraints, farmers practice crop diversification, grow high value crops, and take on new initiatives like direct retailing of vegetables and fruits in the markets, take part in auctions and also look for value addition options.
As a result of these, the user farmers start enjoying an improved quality of life with their families. There is decreased migration to urban spaces in search of employment for sustenance, ability to spend money to provide education to children, better food and so enhanced nutritional status. This also has beneficial impact on women’s lives.
The impact could be categorised into the following in terms of ‘types’:
- Economic Impact
- Environmental Impact
- Social Impact