WaterWater and the otherand the other Three RevolutionsThree Revolutions

Needed to End Rural PovertyNeeded to End Rural Poverty

Presented by Dr. Paul PolakPresented by Dr. Paul PolakInternational Development EnterprisesInternational Development Enterprises

Millennium Goals onMillennium Goals on Hunger & PovertyHunger & Poverty

•• Reduce by half the proportion of 1.1 billionReduce by half the proportion of 1.1 billion people living on less than a dollar a daypeople living on less than a dollar a day

•• Reduce by half the proportion of 800 millionReduce by half the proportion of 800 million people who suffer from hungerpeople who suffer from hunger

WITH BUSINESS AS USUAL,WITH BUSINESS AS USUAL, BOTH THESE GOALS WILL LIKELY FAILBOTH THESE GOALS WILL LIKELY FAIL

44% 37%

48% 47%

0%

20%

40%

60%

South Asia Sub-Saharan Africa

Meager Progress in Achieving MillenniumMeager Progress in Achieving Millennium Poverty Goals in the SemiPoverty Goals in the Semi--Arid TropicsArid Tropics

Percent of Population Living in Extreme PovertyPercent of Population Living in Extreme Poverty

1990

1990

1999

1999

The Face of Global PovertyThe Face of Global Poverty

•• 1.1 BILLION people earn less than $1 a day1.1 BILLION people earn less than $1 a day

•• 800 MILLION live in rural areas in developing800 MILLION live in rural areas in developing countries and earn their living from farmingcountries and earn their living from farming

The Key to AchievingThe Key to Achieving Millennium Poverty Goals is IncreasingMillennium Poverty Goals is Increasing

Smallholder ProsperitySmallholder Prosperity

The Most Important FeatureThe Most Important Feature of Dollarof Dollar--aa--Day Farms in PoorDay Farms in Poor Countries is Their Small SizeCountries is Their Small Size

0.9 0.72

0

0.5

1

Bangladesh Average FarmSize (ha)

2.7

1.6

0

1

2

3

India Average Farm Size (ha)

1960

1990

1999

1983

Because of the small size ofBecause of the small size of dollardollar--aa--day farmsday farms

increasing smallholder prosperityincreasing smallholder prosperityboils down to increasing income from oneboils down to increasing income from one hectare farms and 1000 square meterhectare farms and 1000 square meter plotsplots

Nothing Less ThanNothing Less Than Four RevolutionsFour Revolutions

are Needed To End Rural Povertyare Needed To End Rural Poverty

•• A Revolution in WaterA Revolution in Water

•• A Revolution in AgricultureA Revolution in Agriculture

•• A Revolution in DesignA Revolution in Design

•• A Revolution in MarketsA Revolution in Markets

I. A Revolution in Water:I. A Revolution in Water:

Water is the key entry point forWater is the key entry point for increasing smallholder incomeincreasing smallholder income

•• AffordabilityAffordability

•• DivisibilityDivisibility

•• ExpandabilityExpandability

•• ProfitabilityProfitability

The Challenge: Opening SmallholderThe Challenge: Opening Smallholder Access to Affordable Small Plot IrrigationAccess to Affordable Small Plot Irrigation

Treadle PumpsTreadle Pumps

•• (Picture)(Picture)

Low Cost DripLow Cost Drip IrrigationIrrigation

Low Cost Water StorageLow Cost Water Storage

II.II. A Revolution in Agriculture:A Revolution in Agriculture: Downsizing Cash CropDownsizing Cash Crop

Farming to Fit Small PlotsFarming to Fit Small Plots

•• New varieties of cash crops optimized forNew varieties of cash crops optimized for smallholdingssmallholdings

•• Improved farming practices for laborImproved farming practices for labor--intensive production of high value cropsintensive production of high value crops on small farmson small farms

III.III. A Revolution in DesignA Revolution in DesignThe Ruthless Pursuit of AffordabilityThe Ruthless Pursuit of Affordability

•• FACT:FACT: 90% of today90% of today’’s designers work for thes designers work for the richest 10% of the worldrichest 10% of the world’’s customerss customers

•• CHALLENGE:CHALLENGE: Teach design students inTeach design students in developing and developed countries the ruthlessdeveloping and developed countries the ruthless pursuit of affordabilitypursuit of affordability

•• CHALLENGE:CHALLENGE: Focus the energy of worldFocus the energy of world’’s bests best designers on the problems of the rural poordesigners on the problems of the rural poor

Example:Example: $1 Drip Kit$1 Drip Kit

IV.IV. A Revolution in Markets:A Revolution in Markets: Creating New Wealth EnhancingCreating New Wealth Enhancing Markets to Serve Poor CustomersMarkets to Serve Poor Customers

•• Learn why rural markets in developingLearn why rural markets in developing countries are so inefficientcountries are so inefficient

•• Create smallholder oriented markets forCreate smallholder oriented markets for inputs and outputsinputs and outputs

Ending Rural PovertyEnding Rural Poverty Begins and Ends withBegins and Ends with

Small Farmer ProsperitySmall Farmer Prosperity

SUMMARYSUMMARY

1.1. Increasing the income of dollarIncreasing the income of dollar--aa--dayday farmers is the key to ending povertyfarmers is the key to ending poverty

2.2. The private sector marketplace is theThe private sector marketplace is the prime mover to make it happenprime mover to make it happen

3.3. DollarDollar--aa--day farms are very smallday farms are very small

4.4. Smallholders accumulate wealth bySmallholders accumulate wealth by exploiting their comparative advantageexploiting their comparative advantage in the marketplacein the marketplace

SUMMARY ContinuedSUMMARY Continued……

5.5. A key first step is opening access toA key first step is opening access to affordable small plot irrigationaffordable small plot irrigation

6.6. Radical refocusing of agriculture,Radical refocusing of agriculture, markets,markets, and design is essential toand design is essential to optimizeoptimize smallholder incomesmallholder income

7.7. Without a revolution in developmentWithout a revolution in development theory and practice, the Millenniumtheory and practice, the Millennium Goals on Poverty and Hunger will notGoals on Poverty and Hunger will not bebe reachedreached

Access to AffordableAccess to Affordable Water is the First StepWater is the First Step

Out of PovertyOut of Poverty

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