What examples can you share of businesses partnering to promote sustainable water management?
two weeks ago I visited one of the project in the NorthEastern Area of Thailand. Water management changed the life of the whole local community. Giving you a bit of the background. in early 90 You might have heard that most of Thai living in North Eastern of Thailand are poor. Problems lied in the difficult to generate a sustainable income to the family. We didnt have a good water management. Thus the only three things they can grow in the area are casava, sugar cane and rice. Life of the poor farmers depended on luck and natural rain ! Extended problem were working-age population moved into the city to look for a job and left alone the old and the young generation in the village. One who moved into the city either worked in the factory or many of them became sex workers. To tackle PDA ( Population and Community Development Association) have worked together with companies in water management programme. Grundfos LIFELINK is one of the good example provinding technology in the project. Even since then, farmers were no longer limited their productivity but able to grow other type of fruit and earn more.
What more do you think businesses can do in partnership with others?
interms of partnership Standard Charter have given loans to the village to support the kick off funding. After a better water management were in place .. the kick off funding needed for the extension of the farming business.
In my opinion the local government need to accelerate their understanding and role in business engagement. Business can make a great change but with support and monitoring system it will ensure the longterm effect.
How can the development sector most effectively engage with business?
I have been working with numbers of development sector that would like to contribute their role in Private sector engagement. My personal opinion is we need the develop agencies should work closely with government in policy space. I believe they are in the most suitable position.
Your questions were very interested esp the last one .. development sector & business .. I believe at this stage missing middle is what we lack of, someone who link both up or someone who collateralize a well balanced chemistry of both sector. BFP is one of the good example.