Comments on: Water Equals Food Equals Income

By: Peter Frykman

Peter Frykman — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:27:07 +0000

Thanks Steve,

We know International Development Enterprises well. In fact, IDE's founder, Paul Polak, is on our board of advisors:
http://www.driptech.com/aboutus/ouradvisors.html

While IDE doesn't manufacture drip irrigation themselves, they are absolutely expert at marketing and distribution. Our manufacturing innovations are designed to help organizations like IDE deliver the best possible drip irrigation to their customers.

Best Regards,
Peter

By: bfeld

bfeld — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:20:04 +0000

Thanks Steve – making an intro to Peter now.

By: Heidi Cuppari

Heidi Cuppari — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:56:07 +0000

hey dan, still looking forward to meeting you, as i see teju all the time! thanks for posting this about IDE!

By: Heidi Cuppari

Heidi Cuppari — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:53:23 +0000

Thanks for posting this, Steve! I just joined IDE as Director of Investor Relations. IDE India was one of Acumen Fund's first investments when I ran investor relations back in 2004 and 2005. Their work is very important and relevant to note in this space. Paul Polak - http://www.paulpolak.com/ - founded this organization 25 years ago and IDE has helped 17 million people bring themselves out of poverty using microirrigation, storage and pumps, all critical pieces of the puzzle to increase the yield of a small plot.

By: Daniel Epstein

Daniel Epstein — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 07:22:07 +0000

Hey Brad – at risk of being repetitive I'm going to more or less repeat what the comments before said =). In short, I simply wanted to say that I agree. When we match the market forces, innovation, and natural incentives rooted in entrepreneurship with the needs of over 4 billion people living in emerging markets… the opportunities are incredible and the impact can be of a global magnitude. I also wanted to verbally give a head nod to Steve. Paul Polak, who is a Denver local and mentor at the Unreasonable Institute is credited for bringing over 20 million people out of poverty by harnessing the power of a market based solution to water irrigation / poverty alleviation much like Driptech's great work.

By: smurchie

smurchie — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 02:05:15 +0000

Hey Brad – You should put Driptech in touch with Denver's own International Development Enterprises (http://www.ideorg.org). They've been delivering similar systems in regions dominated by subsistance farming since 1995. Their product lines have expanded significantly beyond just drip irrigation, and they are always sourcing new advances in technology. IDE operates as a highly sustainable NGO by selling the products but investing time in the local markets to educate and develop farming skills. Several of their programs are supported by large grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Happy to make introductions.

By: scott_yates498

scott_yates498 — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:43:41 +0000

Brad, thanks for posting this! I'm actually just starting on writing a book about The Future of Water, in association with the American Water Works Association. This kind of entrepreneur is a huge part of the future of water. If you, or any of your readers, have other tips about innovative things going on in the world of water, please contact me through my blog: http://sco.tt/