Applications Invited for Post-Harvest Loss Innovation Prize

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About the Organization

The Post Harvest Loss Innovation Prize led by Factor E Ventures, together with Shell Foundation, FCDO, ISF Advisors, MicroSave Consulting (MSC), and AndMore Associates is dedicated to uncovering the next big breakthrough in technology to reduce post-harvest losses for smallholder farmers.

Factor E is an impact investment firm that identifies and invests in solutions to some of the world’s toughest climate and development problems. Working at the intersection of risk capital, technology, and emerging markets, Factor E accelerates the pace at which innovation positively impacts economies, environments, and communities. 

About the Prize

We are seeking groundbreaking solutions that empower smallholder farmers in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa to reduce post-harvest loss.

The Challenge:

Globally, a staggering one-third of all food produced is lost or wasted before reaching consumers. This imposes significant economic losses while contributing unnecessarily to greenhouse gas emissions along the agricultural value chain.

Among all stakeholders, food waste disproportionately impacts the 500 million smallholder farmers in emerging markets where post-harvest losses reduce income by at least 15%.

Many of these smallholder farmers live in rural areas, with most of them lacking reliable energy access. Smallholder farmers need energy not only in primary production for irrigation and harvesting, but also for processing, storage, preservation, transportation, and distribution. Thus, reducing food and post-harvest loss calls for a greater use of energy for storage, processing, and transportation in sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective ways.

The Opportunity:

Shell Foundation and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) aims to increase farmer incomes by reducing post-harvest losses in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. To accomplish this objective, it is necessary to implement scalable, cost-effective solutions that cater to the post-harvest requirements of smallholder farmers. These solutions should encourage sustainable agricultural practices while harnessing the benefits of clean energy technologies.

By implementing sustainable and cost-effective solutions to reduce post-harvest losses, farmers can experience a trifecta of benefits: increased incomes, higher yields, and greater climate resilience. Despite the growth in the number of available solutions (e.g., cold storage units), many of the technologies currently available are too expensive for smallholder farmers.  Therefore, to encourage more smallholder farmers to adopt innovations that reduce post-harvest losses and reverse the trend of food waste, it is essential to develop solutions that are affordable, practical, and scalable for their operations.

The Post Harvest Loss Innovation Prize is seeking innovative solutions that reduce post-harvest loss for smallholder farmers in emerging markets. Funding from the prize is unrestricted.

This prize offers more than just a $50,000 financial reward for the winning applicant. Finalists gain access to a network of experienced industry leaders and receive media exposure to showcase their innovation. The winner of the Post-Harvest Loss Challenge will be honored at an awards ceremony during New York Climate Week on September 25th. The event will provide a networking opportunity for industry leaders.  The winner will also benefit from access to Factor E’s post investment support . Gain the resources and recognition you need to accelerate your agritech journey, grow your innovation, and create impact.

Applications will be reviewed by the Factor E investment team, and the top five finalists will be announced on September 17th. The final award announcement will be on September 25, 2024.

Eligibility

Applications may be submitted by any entity including startups, universities, non-profit organizations or for-profit companies.

How to Apply

To ensure your application is considered, please submit it through the Google Form below by August 14, 2024: Submit here.

Nominate

Do you know a deserving candidate? We encourage nominations of qualified startups, companies, or groups!  Help us find the most promising participants by submitting your nominations through the form below: Nominate an entity here.

For more information please check the Link

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