The South African government, in partnership with the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and the ministry of foreign affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, has invited eligible organisations to take part in this year's Securing Water for Food: A Grand Challenge for Development.
First introduced in 2013, Securing Water for Food is a funding challenge that aims to source and accelerate innovations that help farmers produce more food with less water, enhance water storage, as well as make more water available for food production.
Over the previous three rounds of Securing Water for Food, the programme has saved over 700 million litres of water.
Christian Holmes, USAID's global water coordinator, says: "As we see more and more droughts all over the world and surpass the one billion mark of people who don't have enough food to eat, it is increasingly clear that we need better innovations to help our planet's farmers grow more food with less water."
Money matters
Through a competitive process, the Securing Water for Food programme identifies and invests in innovative solutions. It seeks connections and strategic relationships that help its innovators implement and scale their water-for-food solutions.
The South African government and its partners plan to invest $32 million by 2018 to fund and accelerate science and technology solutions that can disrupt current water-food security.
For this year's challenge, $7.5 million has been set aside to fund advanced technologies and business models. Winners will receive between $100 000 and $2 million in funding and acceleration support to bring their innovations to scale.
The Department of Science and Technology's Dr Isayvani Naicker says: "SA is a water-scarce country and our strategic partnership within the Securing Water for Food challenge seeks to identify and accelerate science and technology innovations that improve water sustainability, while simultaneously improving food security, creating jobs and ultimately alleviating poverty."
According to a statement, this year's challenge seeks innovations that prioritise the engagement of women and encourage high-quality applications, especially from women-owned or women-led enterprises and developing country entrepreneurs.
Sweden's ambassador to the US, Bj"orn Lyrval, notes: "In Sub-Saharan Africa, women produce as much as 80% of the food. It is therefore crucial that Securing Water for Food continues to strengthen the role of women."
Applications for the challenge will be accepted until 10 October.
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