ProgrammingSMEs in ARD

1. Renewed attention for agribusiness

2. Agribusiness SMEs and PAEPARD3. Constraints for SME participation4. EC funding instruments5. Other funding instruments6. Forthcoming reports

“Science, technology and innovation (STI) is critical for creating comparative advantages in Africa’s agro-industry subsectors”

Unido, May 2011

“Africa’s farmers and agribusinesses could create a trillion-dollar food market by 2030 if they can expand their access to more capital, electricity, better technology and irrigated land to grow high-value nutritious foods”

World Bank, March 2013

For the private sector to meaningfully contribute to inclusive growth, policy should be steered towards innovative institutional arrangements, including fostering appropriate partnerships among public, private and civil society organizations.

AFDB April 1014

“We will pursue an enhanced cooperation among EU and Africa private sectors and farmers' organisations exploring innovative and inclusive partnerships.”

2-3 APRIL 2014, Brussels, Fourth EU-AFRICA Summit.

ROADMAP 2014-2017 (15 pages)

PAEPARD is making researchers aware about the increased role of the agribusiness in Africa and the research needs of the private sector.

Some 100 blog post relate to agribusiness and highlight the importance of the private sector/ agro entrepreneur

PAEPARD is exploring if private sector participation may have to be mediated by a representative agency (an agribusiness service provider)

The private sector itself becomes an indirect or third party participant which divorces it from contractual encumbrances

BIOPROTECT – Burkina-Faso collaborates with the French Biophytech SME

The soja consortium of Benin benefited from a training by the 2Scale program (IFDC-DGIS)

ColeACP involves SMEs into research on the non-food use of mangos :

Comestiques, Energie/Compost, Alimentation Animale

Most businesses focus on managing their operations. They are not necessarily focused on how to improve their competitiveness through innovation

Many businesses have limited ability to develop good proposals. Developing concept notes and grant proposals and assembling the required documentation entails transaction costs (time, resources).

The challenges of working with smallholders in out grower schemes limits the private sector’s interest in submitting proposals

Limited experience and mistrust make the private sector reluctant to engage with NGOs or government-“driven” research activities and thereby prevent actors outside the private sector from entering into collaborative arrangements

The private agri-sector may find it very difficult (or reluctant) to provide time and cash to match the grant

Two Horizon 2020 research themes may be an opportunity have a better understanding of the uptake of research results by the private sector in the field of food and nutrition security: H2020, SFS-6-2014. Sustainable intensification pathways of agro-food systems in Africa H2020, SFS-18-2015. Small farms but global markets: the role of small and family farms in food and nutrition securitySME support under H2020 Not just research, but market replication / commercialisationA standard feasibility + market study is estimated to cost around 71,000 EURO

The Delegation of the European Union to Uganda will launch a SME Development Fund (Equity Fund) first half of 2014.It will be open to all sectors of agribusiness, including livestock.The selection will be made on the basis of socio-economic-environmental criteria and financial return criteria.The EU/Uganda aims at targeting at least 25-30 companies with the first closing of the fund.

ASARECA_RC_MMLT-03/2014 call Enhancing Participation of Small and Medium Enterprise Actors In the Higher End of Value Chains In Eastern And Central Africa Deadline for receipt of Concept Notes is 13th May 2014

Dutch WOTRO, Food and Business Applied Research Fund (ARF) call A strong local/regional private sector is important in

reaching local/regional food security German Federal Office for Agriculture and

Food: Integration of suitable local and other actors from

outside research

Engaging SME’s in EU-Africa Science, Technology and Innovation. 31 March 2014. Brussels. Co-organised by PAEPARD, ESATAP, UniPID

5th EU-Africa Business Forum. 31 March – 1 April, 2014 . Brussels. Co-organised by DG Agriculture and ColeACP

Innovation serving food and nutrition security in Europe and Africa - Opportunities and barriers faced by the private sector in the uptake of food and nutrition security (FNS) R&D outputs1 April 2014. Brussels. Co-organised by DG Research and Innovation and CAAST-net