AgriTech Challenge 2024
In the framework of the program: Development of Agrobusiness Innovation in Algeria (Innov-Agro),the Ministry of the Knowledge Economy, Start-ups and Micro-Enterprises is launching the AgriTech Challenge 2024 from June 03 to July 27, 2024.
The challenge aims to promote the technological entrepreneurship in the fields of agriculture, agri-food and agricultural processing in Algeria.
This initiative targets project leaders who develop innovative solutions (products, services, consulting services, prototyping, etc.) related to one or more of the following themes:
- Introducing new technologies in the field of traceability of agricultural and agri-food products :internal product traceability, control of agricultural input risk levels, digitalization of product indications, digitalization of agricultural production and processing including eco-friendly packaging, application of blockchain technology for product traceability to guarantee transparency and security along the food supply chain, etc.
- Introducing new technologies in the field of controlling plant diseases: :detection of plant diseases, development of innovative solutions to rationalize the use of chemical crop treatments, use of biotechnological techniques to develop crops resistant to diseases and pests and adapted crops to environmental conditions, integrated and biological control of plant diseases, etc.
- Introduction of new technologies in agriculture, including irrigation water management :the use of innovative technologies, sensors and equipment (robots, drones, etc.) for monitoring agricultural conditions (e.g. soil, weather, crops, livestock, etc.) and managing inputs to agricultural production and processing (e.g. seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, etc.), the connection between different agricultural equipment via Internet to collect and share data in real time to improve the quality of agricultural production: seeds, fertilizers, pesticides..., the use of Big data for agricultural planning, connection between agricultural equipment via the Internet to collect and share data in real time for more efficient management of resources, precision farming in irrigation water management, digital solutions to detect irrigation water crop needs.
- Introduction of new technologies in soilless agriculture (hydroponics): :The generalization of soilless cultivation to meet the challenges of drought, the optimization of irrigation water use in times of shortage through controlled systems, the recycling and reuse of irrigation water to reduce water consumption, the integration of advanced technologies (humidity sensors, real-time monitoring systems) to precise management of water resources, the minimization of waste through rigorous administration of nutrients, and the promotion of sustainable and resilient agriculture in the face of climate change.
The program: Development of Agrobusiness Innovation in Algeria (Innov-Agro) is co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (German Cooperation).
The selected project leaders will take part in an intensive bootcamp from July 06 to July 08, 2024 to develop further their solutions, then they will benefit from face-to-face and virtual support and coaching for 2 weeks from July 13 to July 26, 2024 to perfect their solutions. At the end of the program, the participants will present their solutions to a panel of experts, who will select 4 winners who will receive 5 days of national or international training as part of the InnovAgro program.
The program is open to project leaders in all plant and animal value chains, who have the necessary skills and experience, and who have innovative, reliable and relevant projects with an intermediate stage of technical maturity and a sufficiently clear business model and degree of scalability. They are invited to apply until June 15 2024 , by following the instructions indicated in the participation call platform.
The evaluation of applicants will be based on the following scoring system:
- Relevance: exclusion criterion. (only projects addressing the challenge's themes are eligible to participate).
- Added value:10%
- Innovation:20%
- Feasibility:25%
- Scale-up potential:15%
- Team:(Consistency between project focus and team member profiles)30%
Based on the above scoring system, 6 projects per theme (24 projects in total) will be invited to pitch online on July 01, 2024.
Of these 24 projects, 12 will then be selected for the AgriTech Challenge 2024 program.
All projects will be notified of their selection by July 03, 2024.
We wish you good luck!
