RFAs: Southern Africa Poultry Initiative – Feed Accelerator Grand Challenge

Applicants are invited to submit proposals aimed at significantly reducing the cost and improving the availability of poultry feeds. It targets farmers of all sizes but has a focus on improving the accessibility and affordability of feed for smallholder poultry farmers. Proposals should contribute to the sustainable development of the poultry value chain by enhancing feed manufacturing efficiency, increasing productivity, and fostering market growth with a strong emphasis on delivering high-quality, cost-effective poultry feeds. Support will be provided exclusively to initiatives focused on innovative poultry feed production models. Proposals must demonstrate strategic partnerships that improve access to critical inputs and services—such as affordable finance, extension support, and reliable market linkages—to maximize the benefits for end-users. Recognizing the critical challenge of feed costs in poultry production, applicants should focus on leveraging local raw materials, advanced feed formulation techniques, and efficient processing technologies.

The initiative is a flagship programme designed to drive inclusive and sustainable growth in Southern Africa’s poultry sector, anchored within the Food Action Alliance (FAA) and led by AGRA. SAPI is supported by partners including AECF, SACAU, Cargill, GAIN, ILRI, WEF, and the governments of several SADC member states. Its core objective is to unlock the untapped potential of poultry as a catalyst for food security, economic inclusion, and job creation, particularly for women and youth. Poultry remains the most affordable source of animal protein in the region, but structural challenges have limited its growth. With the population expected to double by 2050, affordable protein and climate-resilient food systems are critical priorities.

Reducing feed costs is central to making poultry more affordable and boosting consumption. This requires improving on-farm productivity, increasing grain production, cutting post-harvest losses, upgrading processing technologies, introducing novel feed ingredients and blends, and reducing transport costs. Innovative business models are encouraged to share risk and lower prices, such as long-term contracting with cereal out-growers, co-farming arrangements, crop and yield insurance schemes, cooperative operations, and production systems that leverage existing subsidies.

The challenge focuses geographically on Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi, and Mozambique, where poultry markets are growing due to urbanization, rising incomes, and increasing demand for affordable protein. These markets are underserved, with per capita poultry consumption below regional averages, offering strategic opportunities to improve food security, boost rural incomes, and reduce import dependence. Applicants can come from any SADC country, but projects must be implemented in one or more of the four target countries.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential for socio-economic impact, including reach to beneficiary households, additional jobs created, and increased acreage planted by smallholder farmers if relevant. Successful applicants may receive up to $20,000 for technical assistance in areas such as climate-smart technologies, business management, marketing and distribution, financing, poultry feed processing, and monitoring and evaluation.

Eligible applicants include private sector entities, industry associations, academia, NGOs, and government organizations that have been operational for at least two years, meet financial thresholds, comply with regulations, and demonstrate additional positive impact.

For more information, visit AECF.