Grants up to €250,000 available
The Africa Agri-Food Development Programme (AADP) supports Irish agri-food businesses in Africa
Irish agri-food companies of all sizes are being encouraged to apply for grant funding to explore and seize exciting opportunities to develop new markets in Africa.
Seán Fleming TD, Minister of State for International Development, and Senator Pippa Hackett, Minister of State with responsibility for Land Use and Biodiversity, have launched the call for applications for the Africa Agri-Food Development Programme (AADP), which for over ten years has been supporting Irish companies to realise their ambition of doing business in Africa.
The AADP offers Irish agri-businesses an invaluable opportunity to develop and harness the potential from innovative partnerships with companies in sub-Saharan African countries, providing matched funding grant support of up to €250,000 to Irish companies.
Minister Seán Fleming said:
“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."
“Food security globally, and particularly in parts of Africa, has worsened recently due to climate change and conflict. Developing sustainable agri-food businesses has never been as important. The AADP has supported the development of sustainable food producing businesses in areas such as diary, horticulture, and animal and crop health products."
“I recently attended the Dakar Summit on food sovereignty in Senegal. Ireland is strongly committed to supporting people experiencing hunger. I look forward to visiting more agricultural projects supported by Ireland over the coming weeks.”
Minister Pippa Hackett, said:
“Ireland is a global leader in sustainable food production. AADP funding enables Irish agri-food companies to leverage their experiences and expertise with local companies in Africa to develop exciting opportunities and new partnerships that are mutually beneficial, commercially viable and have the interests of small-holder primary producers at their core”.
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).
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.