Twitter “Social Enterprise of the Day” Roundup

Monday, October 19, 2009 – Friday, October 23, 2009

Water is the cause of the birth and death of every civilization. Till today, water remains the prime mover of rural livelihoods and has immense scope to reduce costs and increase efficiency of its use. This week, for the ‘ Social Enterprise of the Day’, we are focused on low cost irrigation as a concept and lsted organizations that are enabling farmers through simple, affordable and sustainable solutions.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Social Enterprise of the Day – KickStart

As the name suggests, KickStart is an organization that helps local entrepreneurs identify viable businesses, access technologies and launch new enterprises. KickStart’s technologies, expertise, and methods are widely applied throughout Africa to support programs in agriculture, shelter, water, sanitation, health, and relief. One of KickStart’s key innovations is the Moneymaker Pump, that allow farmers to easily pull water from a river, pond or shallow well (as deep as 25 feet deep), pressurize it through a hose pipe (even up a hill) and irrigate up to two acres of land. Priced at US$35-UD$95, the pumps allow farmers to direct water where needed, thus resulting in efficient use of the scarce resource. Also, Moneymaker Irrigation Pumps facilitate growth of higher value yielding crops and growth of crops throughout the year.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Social Enterprise of the Day – Practica Foundation

Practica Foundation aims to facilitate research, development and commercial application of technology in the field of water and energy in developing countries. Playing the role of a catalyst that engages the local private sector to look at poverty alleviation a viable business opportunity, Practica describes its role as that of a “clearing house, advocate and source of practical knowledge on promising new affordable technologies and services in the water and energy sector.” Practica has helped popularize low cost innovations and technologies from around the world and ensured their appropriate use. Practica considers a product appropriate if it can be produced and repaired locally, is affordable for the target group and can be made available through the local private sector.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Social Enterprise of the Day – International Water Management Institute

Headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka, International Water Management Institute (IWMI) is one of 15 international research centers known as the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). The Non profit research organization has an agenda that encompasses four priority themes; Water Availability and Access, Productive Water Use, Water Quality, Health and Environment,  and Water and Society. IWMI’S mission is to be a world class knowledge center on water, food and environment.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Social Enterprise of the Day – International Development Enterprises, India

International Development Enterprises, India (IDEI),is committed to the  development of small scale irrigation and rural mass marketing of simple, affordable appropriate and environmentally sustainable technologies to small and marginal farm families through private marketing channels. From the manually operated “Treadle Pump” (a pedal pump) in areas with a shallow water table to low cost drip irrigation technologies in semi arid regions, IDEI tries to achieve a win-win situation for both the poor farmers, as well as manufacturers of technology.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Social Enterprise of the Day – Driptech

What began as a project that three Stanford graduates called “Entrepreneurial Design for Extreme Affordability”, is today a mission to alleviate poverty by creating extremely affordable, water efficient irrigation solutions for small-plot farmers in developing nations. Driptech is an affordable, easy to use, and field-ready drip irrigation system, providing a cost-effective means for even the poorest farmers to increase their water efficiency and grow crops year-round. For as little as US$ 5, a family can purchase a Driptech system that will produce enough vegetables to drastically improve their diet.