The CGIAR accelerator program offers tailor-made climate-smart agriculture solutions

25 April 2023. The CGIAR accelerator program offers tailor-made climate-smart agriculture solutions to each agribusiness in the cohort, based on their unique needs, thus enabling them to accelerate their growth while staying mindful of the environment. 

The program presents investors with a carefully vetted pipeline of agribusinesses that demonstrates that sustainable food systems are not only beneficial for the planet but also profitable. By partnering with the Food Systems Accelerator program, investors can confidently invest in agribusinesses that prioritise sustainable practices, knowing that their investments will be both socially and environmentally responsible.

The CGIAR announced the names of the first cohort of agribusinesses that have been selected for the accelerator program. 

These pioneering companies are at the forefront of the African food system, collectively working with over 39,000 smallholder farmers, and taking on some of the most pressing food system challenges facing the region. 

The cohort includes:

1. Farm Depot, 
2. Batian Nuts Ltd, 
3. East Agricultural Development Company Ltd, 
4. Yellow Star Produce and Food Processors Ltd, 
5. Shamba Records, 
6. Afri-Farmer’s Market, 
7. Stable Foods, 
8. Forest Africa Zambia Ltd, 
9. The Insectary Kenya 
10. and Aggregator Trust Rwanda Ltd. 

Over the coming months, the cohort will benefit from bespoke climate-smart agriculture technical assistance from CGIAR, investment readiness from our partners 2SCALE, and technical support on user experience and gender inclusion from The Rallying Cry. 

This will enable them to develop and expand their businesses sustainably while ensuring that they are well-equipped to address the present and future challenges.

The Food Systems Accelerator is an agribusiness support program within CGIAR Research Initiative on Ukama Ustawi: Diversification for resilient agrifood systems in East and Southern Africa