Fighting poverty in Africa with agritech: apply for funding

30 Sep 2019 03:02 PM

Organisations can apply for a share of £5 million to work with partners in Africa on innovative agriculture and food projects that alleviate poverty.

Around 75% of the poorest people in Africa live in rural areas. They depend heavily on agriculture and livestock for their livelihoods.

Climate change, scarce resources, demographic and dietary changes, and changing markets all present challenges and threaten gains made in fighting global hunger and poverty.

Innovation in agriculture and food systems is low in developing countries, particularly in Africa where only 28% of farmland is planted with modern crops compared with 65% globally.

The Department for International Development and the Global Challenges Research Fund working through the AgriTech Catalyst have up to £5 million to invest in agri-tech and food chain innovations in Africa.

Find out more about how to apply for Innovate UK funding.

Agritech innovation must alleviate poverty

Projects must show they could alleviate poverty through the adoption of agricultural and food systems technology and innovation.

Organisations can undertake:

Innovations must be sustainable, minimise pollution, food loss and waste, and promote safe, healthy and nutritious diets. They must also consider gender equality and animal welfare.

Projects can focus on:

Competition information

Find out more about the competition for early stage feasibility studies and apply.

Find out more about the competition for mid-stage industrial research and apply.

Find out more about the competition for late stage experimental development and apply.