Factor[e] Ventures Post-Harvest Loss Innovation Prize (Up to $50,000 Prize)

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Applications are open for $50,000 Post-Harvest Loss Innovation Prize. The Factor[e] Ventures is seeking groundbreaking solutions that empower smallholder farmers in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa to reduce post-harvest loss.

Factor E is seeking innovative solutions that reduce post-harvest loss for smallholder farmers in emerging markets. Innovative solutions are defined as technologies, business models, and/or software that have at least entered the pilot testing stage in either the lab or the field. The innovation must be used by farmers at the farm gate. Innovations can come from any geography globally but must have a global application in emerging markets especially in South East Asia or Sub- Saharan Africa.

The Challenge

Globally, a staggering one-third of all food produced is lost or wasted before reaching consumers. This imposes significant economic losses while contributing unnecessarily to greenhouse gas emissions along the agricultural value chain. Among all stakeholders, food waste disproportionately impacts the 500 million smallholder farmers in emerging markets where post-harvest losses reduce income by at least 15%.

Many of these smallholder farmers live in rural areas, with most of them lacking reliable energy access. Smallholder farmers need energy not only in primary production for irrigation and harvesting, but also for processing, storage, preservation, transportation, and distribution. Thus, reducing food and post-harvest loss calls for a greater use of energy for storage, processing, and transportation in sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective ways.

The Opportunity

Shell Foundation and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) aims to increase farmer incomes by reducing post-harvest losses in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. To accomplish this objective, it is necessary to implement scalable, cost-effective solutions that cater to the post-harvest requirements of smallholder farmers. These solutions should encourage sustainable agricultural practices while harnessing the benefits of clean energy technologies.
By implementing sustainable and cost-effective solutions to reduce post-harvest losses, farmers can experience a trifecta of benefits: increased incomes, higher yields, and greater climate resilience. Despite the growth in the number of available solutions (e.g., cold storage units), many of the technologies currently available are too expensive for smallholder farmers. Therefore, to encourage more smallholder farmers to adopt innovations that reduce post-harvest losses and reverse the trend of food waste, it is essential to develop solutions that are affordable, practical, and scalable for their operations.

Post-Harvest Loss Innovation Prize Information

This prize offers more than just a $50,000 financial reward for the winning applicant. Finalists gain access to a network of experienced industry leaders and receive media exposure to showcase their innovation. The winner will also benefit from access to Factor E’s post investment support. Gain the resources and recognition you need to accelerate your agritech journey, grow your innovation, and create impact.