Bedford spent years cultivating maize and other cereal crops, and each year tried to sell his surplus to market. But he never earned much income from what he grew. He knew he could grow more profitable crops, but he needed access to water.
Then International Development Enterprises (IDE) introduced him to the treadle pump, a low-cost technology that helped him access the necessary water to grow high-value vegetables. By using the pump to grow vegetables, Bedford quickly recovered the cost of his investment.
MEDA and IDE are helping small farmers like Bedford through the Innovation Fund. They are organizing training sessions where farmers learn about technologies, water-saving techniques and the basics of investing to increase incomes. A retailer advertises their product, and farmers interested in buying it receive a savings certificate for about $50. They contribute the balance through loans or savings.
Living up to its name, the Innovation Fund uses short-text messaging (SMS) in Zambia to deliver the certificates, making the system more efficient and improving fraud prevention.
When the program begins in January, a greater number of Bedfords will be able to invest in technology to graduate from subsistence farming to high-value crops.
You can help! Go to www.meda.org/Donate/TheMEDAStore.html
