Project Overview

EMPOWERING RURAL FARMERS
TREADLE PUMPS, INDIA
This multi-award winning Climate and Development project empowers small holder farmers in India,
giving them the opportunity to work their way out of poverty. At the same time it reduces carbon
emissions, helping to tackle climate change.
In rural India, 98 million families make their living by growing and selling crops. To them, irrigation is the
difference between success and failure. In many areas, there is an abundant water source available
underground but most farmers can’t access it, meaning they can only grow one crop a year during the
monsoon season. Farmers that can afford to, rent expensive diesel pumps to irrigate their land in dry
spells, but these release harmful gases and can cause soil erosion.
ClimateCare is working in partnership with IDEI (an Indian not-for-profit) to provide simple, affordable
Treadle Pumps as a cost-effective and reliable way to irrigate crops year round. Manufactured locally,
these Treadle Pumps use human power to move regular, small volumes of water from below ground. As
a result, farmers can grow two or three crops a year instead of one, increasing their income by an
average of $400 every year.
As a result of carbon finance, more than 275,000 families now enjoy the benefits of owning a Treadle
Pump. The project has also reduced over 430,000 tonnes of CO2e. IDEI initially received funding and
support from organisations including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, The Ashden Awards and
the Acumen Fund and is now funded through carbon finance.
Watch this video to find out more about how this project is transforming lives.
SUMMARY OF PROJECT IMPACTS
EMPOWERING FARMERS
Giving control over irrigation and the
opportunity to grow a wider range of
crops.
REDUCING EROSION
Diesel pumps flood fields and wash off
vital topsoil. The treadle pump
addresses this.
HELPING FAMILIES
Reducing migration to the city for
seasonal work and increasing access to
education through economic
empowerment.
TACKLING RURAL POVERTY
Creating extra income for more than
275,000 farmers.
TESTIMONIAL
ASHA – TREADLE PUMP
USER:
“It’s an availability of cash everyday now......my field is a picturesque defining
tale of prosperity. All thanks to KB Pump which is a main hero of my field” says
Asha.
IMAGE GALLERY
Credit: ClimateCare
WWW.CLIMATECARE.ORG
+44 (0)1865 591000
112 MAGDALEN ROAD,
OXFORD, UK, OX4 1RQ