Feed the Future Partnering for Innovation is a US Agency for International Development (USAID) program that helps the private sector to scale and market agricultural technologies for smallholder farmers through investing in technology commercialization and knowledge exchange. The program's goal is to increase the productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers by funding companies to commercialize new agricultural innovations in developing countries.

Partnering for Innovation also works with USAID Missions to create and manage private sector partnerships that will improve agricultural productivity. Through its online community, the AgTechXChange, the program facilitates connections and knowledge sharing among entrepreneurs, investors, and nonprofit organizations.

Impact

Through September 2017, Partnering for Innovation has reached 1,140,000 smallholder farmers on 292,676 hectares in 17 countries around the world. Program investment has generated nearly 2.5 times as much in partner investment. 94 technologies have been commercialized, with $17.5 million in sales of technologies by partners.

Partnerships

Partnering for Innovation partners with private sector companies that are commercializing agricultural technologies, products, and services in smallholder markets. The program undertakes two kinds of partnerships. One focuses on technology commercialization in Feed the Future countries, helping introduce and scale off-the-shelf agricultural technologies. The second supports USAID Missions' food security goals by working with the private sector to expand or introduce agricultural products and services in smallholder markets.

Partnering for Innovation's grant program is unique because of its streamlined application process, business-oriented negotiation process, and results-based implementation. Solicitations and selection criteria are designed with the private sector in mind, focusing on both potential development impact and profitability. Negotiations push companies to realize their potential in the smallholder market and to set attainable but ambitious targets. Signed awards rely on performance-based milestones for payment based on standard business metrics.

The program works with USAID Missions in Benin, Guatemala, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Ukraine, and Zambia. Examples of agricultural innovations the program has funded include:

• Hermetic storage bags
• Improved poultry breeds
• Small-scale egg incubators
• Tailored agricultural loan products
• Value-added orange-fleshed sweet potato products
• Traceability software
• Biological pest control products
• Affordable cold storage

Acceleration

In addition to investing financially in its partners, Partnering for Innovation also supports them with acceleration services that help strengthen their business. These services include facilitating one-on-one consultations, organizing networking and learning events, and creating resources and tools that focus on a specific business challenge.

Knowledge Exchange

To strengthen and scale the work being done by its partners and others working in smallholder markets, Partnering for Innovation facilitates knowledge exchange through its online community, the AgTechXChange, as well as through events and online resources.

With nearly 2,000 members, the AgTechXChange is the only online community exclusively for people and organizations working to commercialize agricultural innovations in smallholder markets. By providing an online forum for discussion, the AgTechXChange overcomes geographical barriers to networking and connecting.

Quarterly Tech Talks provide another opportunity to learn from other companies, NGOs, and investors working to build sustainable smallholder agricultural markets.

ABOUT FINTRAC, INC.

Fintrac, a woman owned and US-based consulting company develops agricultural solutions to end hunger and poverty. For 25 years, Fintrac has worked with local and global partners to increase production, improve postharvest handling, add value, and develop markets and competitive value-chains for the world’s most vulnerable farmers and communities. By teaching farmers to view farming as a business, Fintrac increases yields to improve nutrition, generate income, and build industries.

For more information about Fintrac, Inc., please www.fintrac.com