IDE’s Myanmar program was launched in 2004 and is fast becoming one of the leading international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Myanmar.
In Myanmar, IDE focuses our efforts on rural small farm households earning less than $2/day living in the most densely populated areas in both lower and upper Myanmar. Seventy percent of Myanmar’s 36 million poor live in rural areas and earn their income from small-plot agriculture.
Since most of Myanmar’s rural poor depend directly on agriculture for their livelihoods, improving agricultural productivity at the smallholder level is one of the most important ways to raise incomes, reduce vulnerability and tackle extreme poverty. IDE in Myanmar is using the market-based approach to beating poverty and improving smallholder farm incomes pioneered by IDE in the 1980’s. IDE is helping thousands of poor farmers increase their incomes substantially through the purchase and use of affordable, income-generating technologies such as a foot-operated small-plot irrigation pumps, low-cost drip kits and innovative water storage systems. Innovative water pumps allow Myanmar farmers to grow vegetables into the dry season, and sell the excess in local markets to pay for food, medicine and school fees for their family.
During 2004, IDE engineers and local farmers worked together to design and develop low-cost water technologies suitable for using Myanmar’s massive but largely untapped shallow groundwater resources. IDE has begun systematically building a network of private, unsubsidized local workshops and retail dealers for the sustainable production and distribution of these products.
In 2004/05 IDE launched a social marketing campaign in 25 townships throughout lower Myanmar to educate poor farm households on the benefits of using foot pumps for small-plot irrigation.
Local Collaboration
IDE in Myanmar works with a number of international NGOs including World Concern, CARE, and PSI. We also collaborate with a number of local civil society organizations.
Impact in 2005
We actively measure our impact on rural poverty. In less than a year, IDE’s innovative water technologies have directly impacted over 10,000 individuals. Through the use of foot-pumps, small farm household incomes have increased by an average of $150. These funds are being used to improve family nutrition, build modest shelters, and pay for medicines and school fees.
Contact Information
New University Ave
Building C, Suite 201
Bahan Township
Yangon, Myanmar
Office tel. 95-1-555-221
Staff Information
Debbie Aung Din Taylor is a native of Myanmar and has worked there since 1995 as a consultant to the United Nations Development Program and the World Bank. She has over 20 years of experience in developing countries, working in both Cambodia and Indonesia. She holds a masters degree from Harvard University in development economics and public policy.
Jim Taylor has extensive experience in both the private and public sectors. Prior to launching the IDE-Myanmar program he was a senior executive in a global software company serving the food industry and in a Fortune 400 agri-business company. His development experience includes work in Cambodia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and India. He holds an MBA from the University of Southern California and a masters degree from Harvard University.
IDE Appoints CEO
(May 5, 2008) At its recent meeting, IDE’s Board of Directors approved the appointment of Al Doerksen as Chief Executive Officer of the international non-profit organization. Doerksen has previously been associated with IDE in several capacities, including long time board membership, management consulting for the executive in 2007, and most recently overseeing IDE’s four year, $27 million India microirrigation program.
Polak's Out of Poverty Now Available
(February 15, 2008) In this hard-hitting new book,IDE Founder Paul Polak tells why traditional poverty eradication programs have fallen so short, and how he and his organization developed an alternative approach that has succeeded in lifting 17 million people out of poverty...
IDE Receives Second Grant From Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
(January 25, 2008) IDE today announced a grant of $27 million over four years from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in support of its micro-irrigation programs for Indian smallholder farmers...
IDE Photographs on Display (September 1, 2007) Over the coming months, photos from IDE field programs will be on display at Denver-area businesses to help raise awareness of our work...
Cirque du Soleil™ Event Raises Funds (July 15, 2007) The June 28 performance of Cirque du Soleil's™ Corteo at Denver's Pepsi Center helped raise funds to support its programs in Africa and Asia. IDE's allotment of 200 tickets completely sold out...
Since most of Myanmar’s rural poor depend directly on agriculture for their livelihoods, improving agricultural productivity at the smallholder level is one of the most important ways to raise incomes, reduce vulnerability and tackle extreme poverty. IDE in Myanmar is using the market-based approach to beating poverty and improving smallholder farm incomes pioneered by IDE in the 1980’s. IDE is helping thousands of poor farmers increase their incomes substantially through the purchase and use of affordable, income-generating technologies such as a foot-operated small-plot irrigation pumps, low-cost drip kits and innovative water storage systems. Innovative water pumps allow Myanmar farmers to grow vegetables into the dry season, and sell the excess in local markets to pay for food, medicine and school fees for their family. 
