Difference between revisions of "Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development"
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''Powering'' ''Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development ''catalyzes resources and focuses attention on the problem that many farmers and agribusinesses in developing countries lack access to reliable, affordable, and clean energy services. This limits their ability to adopt modern agricultural practices, increase food production, improve efficiency of their operations, and benefit from broad-based, low-carbon economic growth. As the global population steadily increases, substantial agricultural intensification will need to occur – which is intrinsically tied to an increase in energy demand. Along the value chain – from obtaining agri-inputs, planting, irrigation, and harvesting to processing, transportation, and storage – there are opportunities for increased use of clean energy technologies to enhance agriculture production and value. Not only is there an identified need for technology development, but also for creative approaches to bring clean energy innovations to commercial scale. | ''Powering'' ''Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development ''catalyzes resources and focuses attention on the problem that many farmers and agribusinesses in developing countries lack access to reliable, affordable, and clean energy services. This limits their ability to adopt modern agricultural practices, increase food production, improve efficiency of their operations, and benefit from broad-based, low-carbon economic growth. As the global population steadily increases, substantial agricultural intensification will need to occur – which is intrinsically tied to an increase in energy demand. Along the value chain – from obtaining agri-inputs, planting, irrigation, and harvesting to processing, transportation, and storage – there are opportunities for increased use of clean energy technologies to enhance agriculture production and value. Not only is there an identified need for technology development, but also for creative approaches to bring clean energy innovations to commercial scale. | ||
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Revision as of 08:51, 11 June 2014
Identifying the Problem
Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development catalyzes resources and focuses attention on the problem that many farmers and agribusinesses in developing countries lack access to reliable, affordable, and clean energy services. This limits their ability to adopt modern agricultural practices, increase food production, improve efficiency of their operations, and benefit from broad-based, low-carbon economic growth. As the global population steadily increases, substantial agricultural intensification will need to occur – which is intrinsically tied to an increase in energy demand. Along the value chain – from obtaining agri-inputs, planting, irrigation, and harvesting to processing, transportation, and storage – there are opportunities for increased use of clean energy technologies to enhance agriculture production and value. Not only is there an identified need for technology development, but also for creative approaches to bring clean energy innovations to commercial scale.
Barriers to Growth
The Powering Agriculture Founding Partners recognize that many agrarian communities face substantial barriers in incorporating clean energy solutions in their operations. Often farmers are not aware of what technology is available – or the technology that is available does not match the performance characteristics or price points required in emerging markets. Further, there are seldom appropriate financing mechanisms in place to assist agribusinesses cover the relatively high up-front capital costs of new technology.
Rising to the Challenge
Launched in 2012, Powering Agriculture draws on the financial and technical resources of its contributors to promote innovation within the clean energy/agriculture nexus. Powering Agriculture supports the design and expansion of sustainable business models that link clean energy enterprises with farmers and agribusinesses in developing countries. This is achieved by:
- Providing small grants ($500,000 - $1,500,000) to for-profit, non-profit, and academic entities to design, pilot, and deploy clean energy solutions that are responsive to the identified demands of select agricultural value chains.
- Leveraging funds for a global financing facility to provide guarantees to encourage private sector equity and debt investments within the clean energy/agriculture space.
- Identifying and supporting clean energy solutions that can be brought to commercial scale, and integrated within regional/national agriculture production and food security programs.
- Hosting an online knowledge management platform to document lessons learned, promote effective technologies and business models, and foster continued engagement among stakeholders interested in exchanging ideas about the clean energy/ agriculture nexus.
Further Information
To learn more about Powering Agriculture’s partners, projects, and ongoing/planned activities – and to contact us to request any further information – please visit www.PoweringAg.org
