Pitch Event for Fertilizer for Food (F4F) Open Innovation Challenge (OIC) to Unveil Innovative Solutions in Ethiopian Agriculture.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - December 14th, 2023 – USAID CATALYZE Market System for Growth (MS4G) activity, in partnership with iceaddis, launched the Fertilizer for Food (F4F) Innovation Challenge, an open competition designed to identify and accelerate innovative solutions and business models that can increase the production, distribution, or access to affordable and effective fertilizer for domestic food production.

A total of 40 applicants from six regions of Ethiopia applied for the competition. Applicants are private sector businesses, social enterprises, and market-oriented non-governmental organizations. After a thorough shortlisting process, 13 applicants were selected as potential semi-finalists. On this pitch day event, shortlisted applicants will pitch their business models and innovative solutions to a pre-selected panel of judges, for a chance to be selected as one of the finalists. Finalists of this competition will be considered for grant funding of US $20,000 to $200,000, and business advisory and market linkages services.

The thirteen shortlisted enterprises participating in this pitch event are; Green.REE recycling, Ethio-garden Agro (PLC), Blue Henon Agricultural Works PLC, Biruk Selamawit And Friends Organic Fertilizer Manufacturing, Three A M Manufacturing Plc, Tedla Belachew Agricultural Input Supplier, Atota Vermicomposting, Bogale Borena Organic Fertilizer Production Company, Thur Biotech, MASSP Recycling Enterprise, Abebe Shewaye and friends compost preparation and distribution plc, Sagni, Anuma, and Friends Compost PROD/P/S, and Lemlem Vermi Compost Association.

About Fertilizer for Food (F4F) Innovation Challenge
The F4F challenge aspires to pave the way for Ethiopian farmers to access essential fertilizers affordably and promptly, enhancing resilience and production capabilities within Ethiopia's fertilizer supply chain. Moreover, there's an emphasis on promoting the adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and extending the initiative's impact to encompass the base of the pyramid (BoP) market segments, women, youth, and vulnerable groups, ensuring improved fertilizer access and fostering realms of food security, job creation, and enhanced livelihoods.

About USAID CATALYZE MS4G
USAID CATALYZE Market Systems for Growth (MS4G) is designed to strengthen and mobilize the private sector to transform the food security and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sectors to deliver improved outcomes for the Ethiopian people.

For media inquiries or further information about the Pitch Event for Fertilizer for Food (F4F) Project, please contact: +251-91042-9775