Government ministers recently encouraged Irish agri-food companies to apply for grant funding through the Africa Agri-Food Development Programme (AADP), which has been running for over ten years.
A Government of Ireland initiative, the programme is jointly managed by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).
It aims to foster partnerships between the Irish agri-food sector and African countries to support sustainable growth, build markets for local produce and support trade between Ireland and Africa.
“The AADP programme offers Irish food producing businesses the opportunity to explore new markets in Africa, while also providing important investment in local African businesses. It is a win-win for everyone,” Minister Seán Flemming said.
It does this by acting as a catalyst for private sector investment.
Africa Agri-Food Development Programme
The AADP has supported dozens of Irish companies to develop sustainable and rewarding commercial ventures in Africa that include the development of agriculture value-chains, market testing animal and crop health products, horticulture, livestock genetics, dairy and cheese production facilities
It has so far, invested €4 million in Irish agri-food businesses, and unlocked €7.5 million in private funding.
One of the companies that has benefitted from the programme is Devenish, the Northern Ireland-based agri-feed business. Since 2013, with AADP support, it has invested in developing the pig sector in Uganda with the development of a model pig farm in Hoima, west Uganda and a specialised animal feed mill.
This project aims to help farmers produce pigs of improved genetics and to introduce specialised animal feed tailored to the animal’s life cycle. The piggery emlpoys 26 people in the region and over 500 local farmers have been trained in the basics of animal nutrition and livetsock management. One of these farmers, Yolamu Nsamba, said:
“Working with Devenish has really helped us to increase profitability on our farm. Our pigs now grow to double the size of the pigs we used to have – it’s down to breed, the better-quality feed and the management.”
Another company to work with the AADP is The Blues Creamery from Co. Tipperary, which received €206,000 (via two funding rounds) to co-finance a joint endeavour with its Rwandan joint partner.
Its aim is to develop artisan cheese enterprise in Rwanda with an established farmers’ co-operative which will include a visitor centre and cafe, increasing local tourism and cretaing jobs.
The company said it “wouldn’t have taken the full risk financially” to do this project without the AADP.
2023 applications
The AADP opens every six months for funding applications and the deadline to apply for the most recent opening is April 14.
The programme provides grant funding of up to 50% of total project costs, but funding is capped at €100,000 for feasibility studies and €250,000 for full projects.
It requires that any investment of public funds will be at least matched by co-funding from the private sector.
For more information on the programme, click here, and to request an AADP application form, email [email protected] with the subject line ‘Application Form Request’.
For full eligibility requirements, click here.
