The Rockefeller Foundation, Dalberg, and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have launched The Rockefeller Foundation Cassava Innovation Challenge to address food loss and spoilage in the cassava value chain. Part of The Rockefeller Foundation's YieldWise initiative, the Challenge will provide up to $1 million, as well as technical assistance from Dalberg and IITA, to further develop novel solutions that increase shelf life.
Why Cassava and Nigeria?
Cassava is critical for food security in Africa and is the main source of nutrition for around half of the continent's population, more than 500 million people. However, this root crop has a very short shelf life and, if unprocessed, will spoil within 72 hours after harvest.
In Nigeria—the world's largest cassava producer (more than 20 percent of global production, producing more than 50 million tons annually)—nearly 30 million smallholder farmers grow cassava. There's limited access to existing varieties of cassava, almost no preservation from harvesting to processing, and processing is far away, which leads to spoilage.
Eligibility Requirements:
The Challenge is open to all organizations—whether for- profit or nonprofit—including governmental and inter-governmental organizations.
Collaborations between organizations are encouraged.
Where such collaboration exists, one lead applicant must submit on the behalf of the group.
Awards
• The Innovation Challenge will have a maximum grant award amount of up to US$1 million to be used to implement the solution.
• We would advise you to specify an amount that is less than the award amount. If funding requirements must exceed the maximum value, applicants should provide written evidence of ability to secure additional funds (letter of commitment from partner, letter of guarantee from a bank, etc.)
• In addition, technical assistance from Dalberg Global Development Advisors and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture will be provided.
• Applicants must specify two discrete milestones at which funding is required: 1) initial testing and implementation and 2) significant scaling within Nigeria. Applicants are free to define what each of these milestones will entail, as well as the funding required. Awards will be disbursed according to these milestones, subject to agreement with the Innovation Challenge organizers.
• Winners must sign a grant agreement with The Rockefeller Foundation, which will include reporting requirements, in order to receive funds.
• The anticipated results/ impact are expected to be achieved during the lifetime of the award, which in this competition is two (2) years.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Rockefeller Foundation Cassava Innovation Challenge: https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/cassavachallenge/
Application Deadline:
Applications will be accepted until July 8, 2016.
Successful applicants will be notified by July 29, 2016.