SDG Agrifood Accelerator Programme at Science and Innovation Forum 2024
©FAO
Innovations from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) caught the attention of numerous international attendees at the 2024 World Food Forum. As part of FAO’s SDG Agrifood Accelerator Programme, which provides coaching to agrifood systems start-ups to help them develop their business while accelerating the SDGs, a few of the beneficiaries displayed in a stand in the atrium of FAO headquarters and shared how the Programme has helped them.
These businesses included Rasha Nusantara from Indonesia, whose heritage beverages benefit people and the planet by engaging a network of organic female farmers in their products' circular production and packaging. Their ready-to-drink products promote a healthy and environmentally friendly lifestyle. Also showcased were Ghana-based cereal producers, AMAATI, who empower rural women by farming indigenous Fonio grains. Fonio has low water requirements and can withstand adverse weather conditions. The social enterprise works with over 2000 farmers and dries, de-husks, packages, stores and markets Fonio cereal products for household consumption.
The SDG Agrifood Accelerator Programme is an initiative by FAO, technically supported by SEED. The Programme supported African and Asian SMEs pioneering solutions to transform agrifood systems. These enterprises focus on enhancing environmental protections and improving the livelihoods of communities. The Programme provided tailored coaching and resources to help scale their businesses and accelerate progress towards the SDGs. It included support to develop:
- Customized business and marketing plans to enhance diversification and expand market reach
- Investment and finance plans to support growth and innovation
- Strengthened advocacy and pitching skills to engage potential investors
- An impact dashboard to track progress towards the SDGs
In addition to coaching and scaling support, selected SMEs received small grants to advance their innovative solutions through the FAO Beneficiary Grants Modality. Both Rashna Nusantara and AMAATI were granted $USD 20,000 each through this Programme to advance their businesses.
With the grant, AMAATI developed an innovative product, gluten-free Fonio Biscuits, which combines nutritious ingredients (fonio grain combined with locus bean leaf) that benefit households by improving food security and providing an additional income source. This product also significantly reduces the carbon footprint and helps sustain rural livelihoods, particularly during the dry season. Additionally, the environmental impact includes planting more trees to enhance ecosystem development.
The grant support has been instrumental in scaling Rahsa Nusantara’s operations and expanding its impact in several areas. It has empowered local farmers and communities, particularly women and marginalized groups, through training in sustainable agricultural practices. The funding has also supported the establishment of a foundation focused on education, sustainable farming and health initiatives. Additionally, the enterprise has developed a more circular agrifood system, reducing waste across the supply chain and promoting sustainability.
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2024 World Food Forum
The Science and Innovation Forum 2024 took place from 14-18 October 2024 under the World Food Forum (WFF) umbrella. The Forum’s third edition theme was ‘Inclusive Science and Innovation for Agrifood Systems Transformation, Leaving No One Behind’. This Forum served as a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange and collaboration among scientists, innovators, policymakers, farmers’ organizations and stakeholders from diverse sectors.
As part of this Forum, Rasha Nusantara (Indonesia) and AMAATI (Ghana) were invited to showcase their innovative activities and products, including those they developed through the Programme.
The representative of Rasha Nusantara had the opportunity to share their story with international participants about how the SDG Agrifood Accelerator Programme has contributed to their business model. Attendees heard firsthand how an innovative initiative from Indonesia, like a plant-based supplement made from Moringa leaves for pregnant women, the product developed with the support of the FAO grant, produced using a solar dryer dome, contributed to accelerating SDGs and improving the livelihood of actors in their supply chain and their community.
Both SMEs at the Science and Innovation Forums testified to the strength of the Programme and the advantages they've gained from it. They stressed the crucial role agrifood SMEs play in transforming food systems. Their innovations, resilience, and dedication to sustainability give hope to meeting the lofty goals of the 2030 Agenda.
- Read more about SEED
- Read more about the 2024 World Food Forum
