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Benefits of the Rope Pump

•Simple low cost technology, efficient for up to 50 meters deep and appropriate for rural

areas.

•Produced locally with available materials.

•The use and maintenance of the rope pump is done by the user.

Project Objectives

- Identify the market potential for Rope Pumps in Nicaragua from a small scale

entrepreneur perspective.

-Analyze the marketing and sales strategy of the current distributors.

-Establish marketing recommendations that will allow a position in local and regional

markets

Preparing the market for Rope Pumps in Nicaragua

In Nicaragua more than 1.1 million people from rural areas do not have access to drinking

water due to lack of good service and facilities, the

institutional weaknesses, or droughts.

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53% of wells have been built by NGOs and Government

Institutions, the other 47% has been done by the users own means. This shows that even

with limited income the need to have water in rural areas, forces

the user to make the investment.

Results and Challenges

The study identifies the following current and potential supply and demand:

Supply• 50,000 rope pumps sold since 1990 at an

average price of US$ 100• 3 semi industrial workshops with the appropriate

resources (human, technical and financial), and 7 artisan workshops

Demand• 250,000 open wells• 75,000 rope pumps required for the next 5 years

represents annual sales of US$ 1,500,000.

Challenges Ahead Increase demand of the rope pumps among the

rural dispersed communities. Strengthening the providers on marketing techniques, association and access to credit.

Financial facilities for the user to buy the rope pump in payments.

The need of advocacy with government and donors on the alternative use of rope pump low

cost technology.