Deadline: 30 January 2017
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), funded Regional Agricultural Development Program – North (USAID RADP-North) is seeking applications from eligible entities for Farmer Led Conservation Agriculture activity that is designed to support participating farmers in implementing the second year of the Conservation Agriculture (CA) management plan which they have already developed, help them develop as advanced CA farmers, and help each of them to lead 20 of their neighbors in improved agronomy primarily through training and knowledge sharing.
Objectives
- Each trained farmer will adapt three core principles: reduced tillage, increased soil cover, and extended, diversified crop rotations, for their land, which will deliver year-on-year benefits, including water use efficiency and nutrient cycling.
- Farmers will be assisted in the transition to the CA approach with technical resources provided by RADP North.
- Each farmer will complete a 3-year management plan and will be trained on how to self-monitor
- Farmers will participate in a conservation agriculture farmer’s network that will included farmer-led learning groups comprised of other farmers in the lead farmer’s community.
- Establish the first farmer-implemented Conservation Agriculture plots established in Afghanistan.
- Systems will be developed which yield more highly on less water, soil health will improve resulting in better water holding capacity and fertility balancing.
- Support through this grant will reduce the perceived risk or costs of innovation, thereby allowing farmers to utilize this new approach long enough to see results.
- Costs of production will be reduced and yields will increase especially in lower rainfall years compared to conventional practice.
- Farmers will understand how to use mechanized seeding, reduced seed rates, improved timing of fertilizer and more profitable use through better placement, and improved weed control. Soil properties and farm physical and financial data will be monitored through the conversion period.
- 880 farmers (each of the 44 lead farmers will train a group of 20 farmers) will be engaged as farmer trainees throughout the process.
Funding Information
- All U.S. and foreign organizations which receive a grant with a value of $25,000
- Organizations are exempt from this requirement if the gross income received from all sources in the previous tax year was under $300,000.
- USAID RADP-North requires that grant applicants sign the self-certification statement if the applicant claims exemption for this reason.
Eligibility Criteria
Prospective awardee must be legally established in Afghanistan. Additionally, Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Each applicant must be legally established in Afghanistan and have a valid registration with GIRoA;
- The Grantee/Applicant must have two years of working background in the facilitation and agriculture fields.
- The Grantee/Applicant should be able to operate in RADP-North targeted provinces, i.e., Baghlan, Samangan, Balkh and Jawzjan.
- This activity will suit implementation by an NGO with experience of community mobilization, facilitation, and agriculture.
- The NGO must be willing to implement all work component introduced through this RFA.
- Must be willing to contribute a minimum of 10% of the total grant budget as their cost
- Provide a sustainability plan indicating continuation of this activity after USAID RADP-North’s intervention ends.
- Organizations with previous success conducting the same or a similar activity are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
Interested applicants can download the application form via given website.
Eligible Countries: Afghanistan
For more information, please visit USAID Farmer Led Conservation Agriculture.