Deadline: 9-Jan-23
UNDP within the framework of the joint project with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan “Support for an inclusive transition to a green economy in the agri-food sector and the development of a climate-smart knowledge system and Innovation in Agriculture in Uzbekistan (EU-AGRIN)”, funded by the European Union announces a contest for Innovative Ideas to development of Agriculture in Uzbekistan.
Purpose
- The purpose of this Announcement is to invite potential partners (farmers/institutes/companies) to propose project ideas and potential composition of the Innovation Groups.
- The Innovation Groups should be established in partnership of minimum 2 or more entities to introduce new innovative solutions needed for improvement of agriculture production, through a short project, up to 2 years duration.
- Any project idea proposed by potential Innovation Groups should be closely connected with promotion of sustainable agriculture and related topics, as water saving, soil preservation and management, climate change adaptation and mitigation etc.
Objectives
- The overall objective of the project is to contribute to an inclusive transition to a “green” economy in the Uzbekistan food and agriculture sector and to the implementation of a “climate-smart” Uzbek Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation System.
- The project will support practical realization of innovative projects at ‘farm level’, which will allow piloting and demonstrating ways of achieving mitigation, adaptation and “green” transformation in agri-food sector.
- Key mechanism promoted by the project is establishment of operational groups for innovation in agriculture (innovation groups).
Focus Areas
Innovation groups can apply for any activity/project within the following areas:
- Renewable energy (solar and bioenergy)
- Energy efficiency and application of renewable energies in agri-food value chains
- Digital technology for climate-smart agri-food chains
- Pest resistant and/or heat stress-tolerant seed and crop varieties
- Climate-smart agriculture initiatives to limit greenhouse emissions (crop and livestock focused)
- Integrated land-water resource management
- Reduction of post-harvest losses
- Circular economy / waste management in agriculture and agri-food industry
- Conservation agriculture
Funding Information
- The project will provide reimbursement for the costs related to work of Innovation Groups.
- Maximum amount of project support will be UZ SUM 450,000.000 for the duration of maximum two fiscal years.
Eligible Projects
- Innovation Groups are part of the new concept which enables finding solution to existing issues in agriculture production or to test new approach or technology in shortest possible time.
- Innovation Groups are using combined experience and knowledge of different entities, to test solutions and then to share the solution with others, who could benefit from it.
- During the project implementation, partners within Innovation Group will be able to receive financial support for their activities and to purchase needed equipment, according to the established rules.
- For orientation purpose, potential examples of the project topics are shown below:
- introduction of new variety of plants (fruit/vegetable/crop) more adaptable for climate conditions
- testing of new feeding crop for milking cows which will enable better use of land
- introduction of new innovative system of irrigation
- usage of digital technology in detection of plant diseases
- introducing new tools of technology, innovation approaches that enable better adaptation to climate change
- application of new biological methods of plant protection
- etc (any other similar proposal)
Eligibility Criteria
- Innovation groups consist of at least two partners.
- At least one partner must be a farmer.
- At least one partner must be a research entity.
- Besides farmer and research institute, other partners of the Innovation group could be:
- individual and legal entities as:
- Other scientific-research institutes in the field of agriculture;
- Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs);
- Other farmers and dekhan farms;
- Clusters;
- Companies (providers of agricultural technology, seeds, chemicals, food processors, food sellers etc)
- Public or private agriculture advisors or other advisory entities
- Rural householders.
- producer organizations
- Number of potential partners of one Innovation group is not limited.
- individual and legal entities as:
- Innovation Group will be represented by Leading (responsible) entity.
- Responsible entity is one of the partners, with capacity to lead activities and ensure responsible usage of dedicated funds, successful completion of the project and presentation of the results of the Innovation Group.
- Any of the partners can act as a Responsible entity, which is agreed internally within the group and confirmed in the Internal Partnership Agreement of cooperation during Phase II of the selection process.
Selection Process
The selection process for potential Innovation Groups consists of 2 phases.
- I Phase: During the first step potential Innovation Groups will provide general information about the project idea and planned composition of the Group (partners). Initial screening of project ideas will be conducted by a dedicated Technical evaluation committee.
- II Phase: After initial screening of the project ideas and scoring process, selected Innovation Groups will be invited to submit detailed project proposals, including methodology, comprehensive work plan and budget. Project proposals will be finally evaluated by the dedicated Technical evaluation committee.
For more information, visit UNDP in Uzbekistan.