Deadline: 2nd February 2024.
Agroecology is an approach to food production that works with nature – using compost and leguminous plants to improve soil nutrients and fertility instead of applying chemical NPK bags, using natural methods like neem and intercropping to control pests and diseases, focusing on diverse integrated crops instead of monoculture. It is an approach that emphasizes healthy soils and unpolluted water, health for farmers, better access to healthy nutritious foods, water efficiency, and reduced dependence on expensive external inputs.
Agroecology seeks to empower farmers, and improve their livelihoods and control over production, and their incomes, and seeks to strengthen the rural economy by promoting more local ownership of the food system.
The 11th Hour project in collaboration with Innohub has designed the Agroecology Venture Accelerator program, funded by The Schmidt Family Foundation (TSFF). The project aims to nurture businesses that prioritize the natural environment, healthy food production, local resilience, and community empowerment. The program is geared towards offering financial and technical support to Ghanaian agroecological businesses to enhance their operational capacity while improving their social, environmental, and economic impact. This assistance will be extended to 5-7 businesses, including those in their early stages.
Eligibility
- Must be a business aligned with agroecology, see description above.
- Business must be registered in Ghana and fully owned and led by resident Ghanaian(s).
- Majority of the company’s leadership must not be foreign nationals.
- Must have been operating for at least 2 years however some earlier stage businesses may be selected if they meet all other criteria.
- Must be primarily serving the domestic market in Ghana.
- Must demonstrate positive social or economic impact.
- The business should prioritize environmentally sustainable practices and exhibit a commitment to social responsibility.
- Should be operating anywhere along the value chain, from production inputs (biofertilizers, biopesticides, etc.), to cultivation, to aggregation, to processing, to retail or training services or marketing.
- Two (2) business representative must be available for the duration of the program and be willing and open to receiving technical support to enhance their business operations.
- Female-led businesses are especially encouraged to apply.
- Tailored Technical Assistance support to suit the needs of selected businesses.
- Strengthening of operational capacity
- Strengthen the social, economic and environmental impact of the business.
- Funding support in the form of grants or loans
- Support in making selected businesses scalable and financially viable
- Access to partners and key stakeholders in the agroecological ecosystem.
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