The CGIAR Food Systems Accelerator Kick-off event took place in Kigali, Rwanda to unveil its first cohort of agribusinesses from East and Southern Africa. The event brought together a diverse group of companies scaling climate-smart innovations that address pressing problems in food value chains.
288 high quality applications were received and 10 agribusinesses were selected as the first cohort for the Food Systems Accelerator. The initiative will assist with match-making demand (agribusiness needs) with supply (CGIAR science and knowledge assets). Together, the agribusinesses together with the CGIAR scientists and local demand partners in the agribusiness ecosystem, will support the scaling of various innovations from mechanization to solar irrigation, conservation agriculture, agriculture risk management solutions and nutrition.
These agribusinesses are located in the four priority countries of the first cohort: Kenya, Zambia, Uganda and Rwanda. Subsequent phases will prioritize other countries in the region including: Zimbabwe, Malawi, South Africa, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Eswatini and Tanzania.
The CGIAR Food Systems Accelerator is part of Ukama Ustawi, CGIAR’s regional integrated initiative for East and Southern Africa. The initiative aims to support climate-resilient agriculture and livelihoods in 12 countries in East and Southern Africa by helping millions of smallholders intensify, diversify, and reduce the risks in maize-based farming through improved extension services, small and medium enterprise development, supporting governance frameworks and increased investment with a gender and social inclusion lens.
“The Food Systems Accelerator is of decisive importance to an agribusiness seeking financing to develop sustainable products for food markets. 2SCALE’s unique farm-to-market based expert support does not only accelerate growth of inclusive businesses, but it also helps them to create a mature, solid investment case. With 2SCALE’s support in developing a strong supply/demand chain, and investing in nutritious business case for example, the operational and financial risks would be drastically reduced for the Food Systems Accelerator handpicked agribusinesses,” Peter Kirimi, Snr. Financial Inclusion Manager IFDC-2SCALE.
No comments:
Post a Comment