The Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney T.D., have jointly announced a call for applications to the Africa Agri-Food Development Programme (AADP).
The AADP is a collaboration between the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Agriculture, Food and the Marine, under which Irish agri-food companies are eligible for matching funding of up to €250,000 to develop commercial projects in Africa which are of benefit to local communities. The AADP also supports feasibility studies.
“I am delighted that my Department is once again providing support to the Africa Agri-Food Development Programme. The AADP enables Irish agri-food companies to leverage their agriculture expertise to partner with African companies in the development of sustainable local food enterprises; to support the growth of markets for local produce; and to facilitate mutual trade between Ireland and Africa,” said Inviting applications, Minister McConalogue.
“The purpose of Africa Agri-Food Development Programme is to encourage Irish and African agri-food companies to work together in new, innovative partnerships. Agriculture is the key to unlocking Africa’s huge economic potential, just as it did in Ireland. I have seen how the AADP delivers commercial success while contributing to the sustainable development of local communities, for example in Kenya where it is supporting a revitalisation of the seed potato industry. It is to our mutual benefit to share lessons we learned in the transformation of our agriculture with partners in Africa. I believe that Irish agri-business, which has grown to world class over the past few decades, has a particular part to play in this, and the AADP is our way of supporting this,” Minister Coveney added.
Applications for AADP support must be submitted online. Details on the programme can be accessed at: https://www.dfa.ie/our-role-policies/international-priorities/africa/AADP/
The closing date for receipt of applications is 30 July 2021.
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