Funding Opportunity For Agri-preneurs Through ISPAAD

Funding Opportunity for agri-prenerus through ISPAAD. TheIntegrated Support Programme for Arable Agriculture Development (ISPAAD) was introduced in 2008 to address challenges facing arable farmers and the inherent low productivity of the arable sub sector. It was envisaged that the performance of the arable sub-sector would be greatly improved by establishing Agricultural Service Centres and assisting arable farmers to acquire requisite inputs and draught power to undertake tillage operations.

Primary Objectives of:

• Increase grain production

• Promote food security at household and national levels

• Commercialize agriculture through mechanization

• Facilitate access to farm inputs and credit and

• Improve extension outreach

The components of the Integrated Support Programme for Arable Agriculture Development include; Fencing, Provision of Potable Water, Provision of Seeds, Provision of Fertilizers, Facilitation of access to Credit, Establishment of Agricultural Service Centres, Herbicides and Draught Power Provision.

Eligibility

• Farmers should register with the Extension Agent from January to end of June every year in their area in order to benefit from ISPAAD.

• All farmers aged 18 years and above with Omang (ID) or residence and work permits will have to demonstrate to extension staff that they own fields or have the consent of the owners to use such fields.

• Farmers who benefited from ISPAAD but could not take care of their fields will be blacklisted and not assisted in the future.

Farmers are categorized according to the area of production and level of operation as follows:

• Subsistence farmers cultivate up to a maximum of 16Ha. These farmers use small equipment that is suitable for their area of production.

• Emerging farmers cultivate up to a maximum of 150Ha.These farmers use medium size equipment for their operation.

• Commercial farmers cultivate over 150Ha. These farmers use large and sophisticated machinery and implements.

3. Farmer Subsidies

Subsistence farmers

Farmers will be assisted with 100% subsidy for hybrid seed to cover a maximum of 5Ha and open pollinated seeds to cover the remaining hectarage to a maximum of 16 Ha. If a farmer opts for open pollinated seeds only, she/he will be assisted at 100% seed subsidy to a maximum of 16ha.
Farmers will be assisted with free fertilizer to cover up to 5Ha for either of the following treatments; liming, basal or top dressing.
Farmers will be assisted with free herbicides to control weeds up to 5Ha for either of the following operations;

-Pre emergence

-Post emergence

-control of difficult weeds such as Cynodon dactylon, mokhure etc.

Farmers will be assisted with 100% subsidy for ploughing and row planting up to a maximum of 5ha. Where necessary farmers will be assisted with 100% subsidy on harrowing for a maximum of 5Ha. Only farmers who row plant will benefit from draught power (draught power payments) and inputs subsidy.

Emerging farmers

Farmers will be assisted with 35 % subsidy on the cost of hybrid or open pollinated varieties of seeds up to a maximum of 150 Ha.
Farmers will be assisted with 35% subsidy on the cost of fertilizer up to a maximum of 150Ha for either of the following treatments; liming, basal or top dressing.
Farmers will be assisted with 35% subsidy on the cost of herbicides to control weeds up to a maximum of 150Ha for either of the following operations;

-Pre emergence

-Post emergence

-or control of difficult weeds such as Cynodon dactylon, mokhure etc.

Commercial farmers

Farmers will be assisted with 30 % subsidy on the cost of hybrid or open pollinated varieties of seeds up to a maximum of 500 Ha.
Farmers will be assisted with 30% subsidy on the cost of fertilizer up to a maximum of 500Ha for either of the following treatments; liming, basal or top dressing.
Farmers will be assisted with 30% subsidy on the cost of herbicides to control weeds up to a maximum of 500Ha for either of the following operations;

-Pre emergence

-Post emergence

-or control of difficult weeds such as Cynodon dactylon, mokhure etc.

ISPAAD will further assist with machinery and farming equipment as well as financial assistance which differs per project pursued by the prospective entrepreneur.