AICCRA ZAMBIA ROLLS OUT SECOND INNOVATIVE ACCELERATOR PROGRAM

AICCRA ZAMBIA ROLLS OUT SECOND INNOVATIVE ACCELERATOR PROGRAM 

.....as seven small and medium agribusinesses are  targeted to scale up CSA.


By Alfonso Kasongo 

AICCRA ZAMBIA has rolled out a second innovative grant cohort to promote climate smart agriculture in Zambia through climate information services and technologies.


In an effort to strengthen partnerships, AICCRA Zambia has  selected and awarded three small and medium agribusinesses, representing seven enterprises with grants for  climate smart agriculture initiatives .


Dubbed AICCRA Zambia Agribusiness SME Accelerator Second Cohort,this innovative grant aims to financially energize  agribusinesses so as to enhance the scaling up of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) innovations and climate information services (CIS) among the vulnerable communities in central and Luapula provinces among others.


Launched in February 2022, the science-driven Accelerator offers not only a win-win solution for SMEs and Investors but also shows how science can be utilized to catalyse finances into CSA for meaning transformation in businesses.


Speaking during the announcement of the cohort participants, Zambian government has commended the AICCRA Zambia for the innovation to catalyse finances into SMEs.


Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development,Mr. Elias Mubanga , Ministry Director  said 7 agribusinesses under different climate smart agriculture and climate information services initiatives. This model shows how science can drive investment into climate smart agriculture, leading to real change in our agribusinesses. 


Speaking on behalf of the Minister,ministry director Benedette Mwakacheya ,disclosed…."the accelerator grant offers SMEs, start-ups and other organizations in the Zambian agribusiness ecosystem  an opportunity to scale sustainable climate-smart agriculture activities and an increased access to climate information services."

Ms Benedette Mwakacheya-Director-Ministry of SME Development


She added that the initiative will help to scale up actionable CSA that contribute not only to smallholder farmers’ water and food security but also build resilience to climate shocks.


And David Chikoye, Regional Director at IITA and CGIAR Country Convenor for Southern Africa said private sector remains critical to sustain climate smart agriculture,however, he noted that SMEs in agribusiness face financial challenges.

Dr. Chikoye added that this Accelerator Grant Innovation is a great opportunity to bridge the financial gap among SMEs.

"AICCRA has three objectives,mobilizing knowledge,promoting climate smart agricultural technologies and strengthening partnerships.And I want to highlight the role of the private sector,they are key. Infact when you look at sustainability in agriculture ,work with the private  sector.So this grant will catalyze the private sector."

Dr David Chikoye-IITA Regional Director

   

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