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Better options: A farm worker pumping out water using the treadle pump.

M.J. Prabu

Chennai, Aug. 6 The International Development Enterprises India (IDEI), a non-profit organisation, has developed and disseminated low-cost micro-irrigation technologies specifically tailored to small-plot agriculture.

IDEI has developed an affordable water-lifting device, the treadle pump, which is an innovative twin-cylinder device operated manually by manipulating body weight on two treadles to pump water from shallow aquifers or surface water bodies.

Five variants of the treadle pump have been developed to suit varied and diverse conditions.

The treadle pump has a suction capacity of about 25 feet, similar to other suction pumps, and can lift 3.6-6 cubic m of water per hour.

Since 1991, IDEI’s Treadle Pump programme has provided an energy-efficient, inexpensive irrigation technology benefiting in excess of 2.5 million people in terms of better nutritional intake and increased incomes.

The treadle pump is a gender-friendly technology, which both men and women can use.

Since moving on the treadles in a walking motion activates drawing of water by the pump, even the young and old can operate it easily.

The treadle pumps are maintained and serviced by the farmers themselves, with occasional inputs from village-level self-employed mechanics.

This technology is relatively maintenance-free, with minimal servicing requirements – only the washers may need to be replaced annually. Treadle pumps last 8-10 years.

The treadle pump fosters water independence for smallholder farmers and frees them from dependence on single crop rain-fed farming.

With the treadle pump, smallholders can access irrigation water round the year.

A total of 4,70,000 hectares have been bought under agriculture with the help of the treadle pump.

Till date, farmers have made an investment of Rs 76 crore in purchasing treadle pump technology and Rs 477 crore in agriculture inputs; small farmers have been able to earn Rs 2,292 crore in net additional income.

The treadle pump scores high in terms of environmental benefits.

Since it is human-powered and fuel-independent, the treadle pump is a viable and cost-effective alternative to the diesel pump.

The treadle pump thus reduces depletion of expensive fossil fuels and till date has resulted in diesel savings of over 40 crore litres.

Consequently, it has resulted in emission reduction of 1,140,000 tonnes of CO2.

Instead of giving away the technology for free, IDEI stimulates the development of a commercial marketing channel to make this low-cost irrigation device available to farmers across the country under the brand name KB or Krishak Bandhu (farmer’s friend).

Local manufacturers produce the treadle pumps to IDEI’s quality standards.

They pumps are then moved through the distributors, retailers and installers to reach the farmer, who pays an affordable price that incorporates a profit margin for the supply chain.

A total of 24 crore person-days of employment have been generated so far, resulting in earnings of Rs 15 crore for the technology supply chain and Rs 143 crore for the agriculture input supply chain.

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Non-profit body develops treadle pump for small farmers

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