iDE
iDE believes that one entrepreneur can transform his or her community, and millions can transform the world. iDE empowers small businesses to create solutions for food security, nutrition, sanitation, and water, with the aim of bringing families and communities out of poverty.
iDE creates business opportunities in developing countries in Africa, Asia and Central America that increase farmers’ productivity and income through access to quality inputs such as fertilizers, pest management, water-smart and climate-smart technology, and training.
Linda Porter-Cox
P&G Alumni Grant Champion
Linda Porter-Cox
16 years P&G – in US and Latin America CMK, Product Supply & CBD
Linda joined iDE’s Board in 2018, being drawn to its model for building resilient market ecosystems to help households pull themselves out of poverty. She serves as the Chair of the Fund Development Committee and is a member of the Programs Committee. In addition to her personal annual financial contribution, Linda became the founding member of iDE’s 100 Farmers Society, which launched in 2021. This society is part of iDE’s new planned giving program.
“iDE’s unwavering drive to alleviate poverty in ways that are lasting and offer dignity and agency to rural households can only be accomplished through the organization’s investment in the best and brightest local talent, a commitment to building resilient market ecosystems hand-in-hand with private and public partners, and through relentless curiosity and innovation. I see this on display every day.” Linda Porter Cox
iDE developed an effective biofertilizer solution, resulting in less soil-borne disease and 15% greater crop yields. iDE piloted this fertilizer in the Surkhet District of Nepal and is expanding this proven solution to other communities through its network of Collection Centers (small agricultural hubs and cooperative spaces made up of small-scale farmer members). This solution not only strengthens the productivity of farms and increases farmer incomes, but also provides a high-demand business opportunity for these farmer cooperatives as they can sell excess (between 60% to 70% of their compost yield) to other farmers in the open market. iDE has developed over 300 cooperative Collection Centers across Nepal over the past 20 years and will leverage this existing network to introduce biofertilizer production and enterprise development at six of these Collection Centers.
Learn more here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itx4nFW1AsI
The Alumni Foundation grant funds of $25,000 will support two collection centers in the Kaski District near Pokhara, Nepal. Two new enterprises producing 60 tons of local fertilizer will be created through this initiative, 30 individuals will be trained and employed, and 400 smallholder farming households will be supplied and positively impacted.
“Compost Delivers the Most”
iDE Nepal provided technical training on tricho-vermicompost production technology and financial support for the construction of vermicompost pits to the cooperative and its members to help farmers overcome the unavailability of fertilizers. As a result of producing their own organic fertilizer, farmers see significant production yields thereby contributing greatly to their livelihoods and generating sustainable income.
“Before when we tried vermicomposting, we were not very successful due to the lack of expertise. But after receiving technical training from iDE Nepal, we have been very successful.”” Bimala Khadluk – Vice Mayor of Lekbeshi Municipality