Smallholder Farmers Prosperity Initiative

Results as of the end of the project include: 659 smallholder farmers purchased micro-irrigation equipment and were able to increase the value of their production by 35% and their average gross revenues by 39% compared to farmers who did not purchase the equipment. The following elements were critical components to achieve this: i) An affordable well-digging service has been established. Eight well-digging crews have been trained with two crews having successfully started a business providing this service. 222 wells are in operation so far and the new well-digging technique introduced significantly reduces the cost of accessing water. ii) Two manufacturers of rope and washer pumps are in operation as well as a suction-only treadle pump manufacturer. Village mechanics are earning additional income installing the pumps. Warehousing has been established for the parts required to manufacture the pumps. This reduces volatility in the cost of parts for the manufacturers which in turn helps to stabilize the price of the pumps. iii) Microcredit services have been established and 369 customers have received loans. 258 customers (including 23 women) used their loan to purchase micro-irrigation equipment. The remainder of the customers used their loan to purchase other equipment or supplies. iv) 22 marketing groups have been created. This included establishing bylaws and financial management processes as well as training in crop storage leadership business planning initiating a savings culture improving crop quality and volume and the collection and dissemination of market information. v) Two collection centers have been constructed to support the consolidation of crops in order to capture higher prices from the markets. Direct links have been initiated between hotels and retailers as markets and pepper garlic cabbage potato and onion producers. vi) Advisory and community education services were provided to farmers who purchased micro-irrigation equip