A DEVELOPMENT CHARITY WITH A DIFFERENCE

Believing that continuing charity handouts are not a long-term solution, IDE-UK works to reduce permanently the poverty and hunger of poor farmers and their families in Africa, Asia and Central America by:

- Treating small farmers as entrepreneurs rather than aid recipients.
- Developing simple, affordable and easily maintained water-based equipment and services to increase agricultural output.
- Using commercial principles within a total supply chain approach: from seeds and fertiliser through irrigation systems and training to post-harvest management and markets.
- Setting up farmers’ cooperatives
- Training local private sector businesses to manufacture and repair equipment and provide agricultural inputs and advice.
- Ensuring that improvements are self-sustaining when projects end.


Benefits to small-holders and their families include: higher incomes, more to eat, better access to education and healthcare, improved housing and more opportunities for women and young girls. 

Since 1982 projects in thirteen countries have benefited 19million people by helping them to create £1.8billion in extra income.  See www.ide-uk.org for more details.

IDE’s business-like approach to development is increasingly attractive to major project funders, such as DfID, the EU and the Gates Foundation, which are looking for better value for money and understand that the private-sector has a bigger role to play. 

David Rigby, the NW-based Trustee of IDE-UK explains: “I have seen for myself in Ethiopia and Cambodia that this approach really works; we now need to bring its benefits to more poor people in more countries. 

So I am now starting to create a network of supporters in the NW with the ultimate aim of raising money to help us do this.  I think that IDE’s business-based approach should appeal to local professionals: individuals, practices and staff, who are looking for a charity to support.”

Rigby will give a presentation on IDE-UK’s unique approach at 6-30pm on the 9th of February at the Victoria & Albert Hotel, Water Street, Manchester M3 4JQ.  He will describe some typical projects, sponsorship opportunities and sponsor benefits, which can include visits to projects and naming rights.

This is not a fund-raising event but the first step in creating the NW network of interested people. If you would like to attend, or would just like more information, please contact David Rigby at d.rigby@dratex.co.uk  or on 0161-975-5115.