Farming success with Metal Treadle Pump Mrs. Narmada Sahoo from Orissa found a solution to her problem when, for the first time, she saw a metal treadle pump in operation at her neighbour's place, “It has definitely built my confidence, I can do a lot, independently…!” Mrs. Narmada Sahoo who is in her mid-thirties and lives with her husband, two sons and two daughters in Julanga hamlet in Dhenkanal district of Orissa in India. Their main source of income comes from the 3.50 acres of leased out land - out of a total of 4 acres of rain-fed agricultural land. Narmada's husband also earns daily wages to supplement the family's income. In the remaining 0.5 acres of land they had dug a well, which until three years ago was not being used. Narmada's husband was busy earning daily wages, and drawing water by tenda (a traditional water lifting device prevalent in Orissa) was beyond her capacity. However, Narmada soon found a solution to her problem when, for the first time, she saw a metal treadle pump in operation at her neighbour's place. The ease of operation, higher volume of water than a tenda and the affordable cost of the pump impressed Narmada, so much so that she influenced her husband to buy a treadle pump in 1997. With a lot of enthusiasm Narmada installed the pump in a manner that she could draw water from her dug well; she then embarked on her mission to generate extra income from her half-acre land. Since 1997, with the help of her children, Narmada has been growing a variety of vegetables such as potato, cauliflower, onion, chilly, brinjal, tomato, lady's finger, rib gourd and garlic -- primarily for subsistence of the family. Total estimated cost of the produce would be about Rs.7,766. Narmada also grows sunflower that provides her oil for home consumption. The sunflower cakes are used as cattle feed. The treadle pump has also proved useful for the farmers who grow crops on Narmada's leased-out land. "During drought this pump saves our paddy crop and hence our lives," she says with a proud smile. In fact, over the last two drought-prone years, Narmada and her family have got 20 bags of paddy worth Rs.6,800 and 25 bags of paddy worth Rs.8,750 respectively; thanks to the life-saving treadle pump. Since installation the pump has not required any repair. Narmada looks at her pump and oozes confidence as she admits: "Though it has not been possible for us to earn money out of large-scale vegetable cultivation, it has definitely built my confidence. I can do a lot, independently." As a matter of fact, Narmada plans to go in for commercial vegetable cultivation in the near future. Source: International Development Enterprises (India) International Development Enterprises (IDE) is a leading authority on the development of small-scale irrigation and, more importantly, on the mass dissemination of simple, efficient, appropriate and environmentally sustainable technologies in developing countries through the private sector and NGOs. << country/story review