The Horticulture Advancement Activity (THAzA)
Request for Applications (RFA) # SSPPB-012/2020
Support for Seed Potato Production Business in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
‘The Horticultural Advancement Activity’ (THAzA) is a 5-year project awarded by USAID and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. THAzA focuses on selected horticultural value chains in Balochistan and in the selected Newly Merged Districts (NMDs) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (previously called FATA). The objectives of THAzA are to create jobs and generate income, through increased productivity and quality, improved marketing and access to services and investments in horticultural value chains.
With an aim to achieve these objectives, in 2019, FAO extended its in-kind grant and technical support to 110 growers in district Kurram and Orakzai of KP for quality potato production. The intervention proved highly beneficial for the local farming community and resulted into finalization of business deals with few corporate entities for the sale of table potato. Owing to further demand for this lucrative agribusiness, FAO now intends to extend its support and replicate the business model further into the two districts.
FAO’s in-kind grant will be on cost sharing basis and its part of the investment will be restricted to the provision of high quality seed for one acre only. Whereas, a selected applicant will be required to cover all remaining cost to complete the entire activity. In addition, an applicant will also be required replicate the business model on an additional one acre at his/her own cost. FAO’s grant support is conditional to business activities planned within district Kurram and Orakzai only.
To apply for FAO grant award, interested applicants may either download the complete RFA and application form from https://new.brightspyre.com/jobs/jid/00000 or obtain copies from the FAO / THAzA Provincial office in Peshawar. For ease of access, RFA will also be made available through the relevant District Agricultural Extension Office. Existing/previous THAzA grantees are not eligible to apply.