SCALING OF HERMETIC POST HARVEST STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS | 720FDA20APS00002

Opportunity Information: Apply for 720FDA20APS00002

The grant opportunity titled "SCALING OF HERMETIC POST HARVEST STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS" (Funding Opportunity Number 720FDA20APS00002) is a discretionary USAID grant focused on reducing postharvest losses and improving household food security by expanding the adoption of hermetic grain storage technologies, especially hermetic storage bags, among smallholder farmers. It sits within the Disaster Prevention and Relief funding activity category (CFDA 98.001) and is structured around a central challenge: even when hermetic storage products are available and proven effective, many smallholders still do not adopt them at scale due to affordability constraints, limited access to finance, and cash flow pressures immediately after harvest that often force early sales or discourage investment in storage.

The core purpose of the opportunity is to scale postharvest hermetic storage by identifying and validating finance mechanisms that can accelerate adoption and consistent use of hermetic postharvest storage technologies. In practice, this means the project is expected to go beyond awareness campaigns or simple product distribution and instead focus on the financial and market systems that determine whether farmers can reliably purchase, use, and replace hermetic storage solutions over time. The emphasis is on mechanisms that improve farmers ability to pay at the moment they need the technology, support longer storage periods (so farmers can store grain safely and sell when prices are better), and ensure the solution remains viable after donor support ends.

The stated objectives clarify the pathway USAID is looking for. First, applicants are expected to create or sustain demand for hermetic storage bags, which implies market-building activities such as strengthening last-mile distribution, retailer engagement, behavior change approaches tied to demonstrated value, and possibly linking hermetic storage to quality premiums or reduced losses as a clear economic incentive. Second, the opportunity aims to enable households to use these technologies effectively through improved postharvest cash flow and longer periods of hermetic grain storage. This points to interventions like seasonal credit, pay-as-you-go arrangements, savings-linked purchasing, bundling storage with warehouse receipt systems, input financing that includes postharvest tools, or partnerships with financial institutions and agribusinesses that can offer flexible terms aligned with harvest cycles. Third, the grant is intended to leave a market-viable mechanism in place so that farm households can continue accessing hermetic technologies after the donor-funded activity ends, signaling that sustainability and exit strategy are central evaluation considerations. The expectation is that whatever financing and delivery model is tested should be commercially realistic and durable, rather than dependent on ongoing subsidies.

Administratively, the opportunity was issued by the Agency for International Development (USAID), posted with a creation date of February 28, 2020, and an original closing date of May 8, 2020, with concept papers due by 1600 EST. The funding instrument is a grant, with an award ceiling of $500,000 and an anticipated single award (ExpectedAwards: 1). Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning a broad range of entity types could apply, subject to any further clarifications in the full eligibility text. Overall, the opportunity is designed for an implementer capable of combining market development, agricultural postharvest expertise, and financial innovation to make hermetic storage adoption both affordable for smallholders and sustainable within local markets.

• The Agency for International Development in the disaster prevention and relief sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "SCALING OF HERMETIC POST HARVEST STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001.
• This funding opportunity was created on Feb 28, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 08, 2020 Concept Papers due 1600 EST. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

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