Field Notes: Inspiration in Nepal

by Krista Smith

Just recently back from Nepal, my first overseas experience, I have been very excited to share stories of my travels with family and friends. Primarily there to assist with the installation of IDE’s new accounting system and training our Nepali finance team, I was also given the awesome opportunity to visit our field projects.

There I met an inspiration, Amir, a farmer living in the hills region, who had increased his income six-fold in five short years. Amir leveraged a $12 investment in three low-pressure sprinklers to irrigate his ¾-acre plot into an annual income of $2500. Currently growing a multitude of vegetables – cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes, broccoli, garlic and mustard this season alone – Amir has left the days of growing grains far behind. With his entrepreneurial spirit, Amir has installed water collection and storage ponds that allow him to access irrigation water year-round.

I asked Amir what improvements he had made with his increased income. So far he has expanded his farm to include animal raising, keeping goats and chickens. Caring about the health of his family, he decided to install an improved cooking method – venting the smoke out of the house, since this is a leading cause of death in developing countries. Both of Amir’s school aged children are now attending private school, opening great opportunities to the next generation of his family.

Seeing farmers like Amir makes me proud to work for IDE. I know my hard work is helping farmers, who work even harder, to achieve their goals of improving their livelihoods and the future of their families.

When I asked Amir what he would do next, he told me, “I plan on buying more land to expand my vegetable production.” Because of IDE’s irrigation technology and his determination I know he will achieve his dreams and leave poverty behind.