State of Maharashtra Agribusiness and Rural Transformation (SMART) project is just starting up and in a few months will release some competitive calls where they will fund 60%. They are keen now to engage with any SMEs for ideas that will help develop value chains, including millet and sorghum.

The SMART calls (that will come out in a couple of months) include:

1)      PP (Productive Partnerships): 1 buyer and 1 CBO (community based organization) can apply for what is needed for the CBO to match the buyer need eg a processing unit, storage, extension support etc.

2)      MAP (Market Access Plan): If there is no organized buyer but there is an identified market, SMART will provide 60% of the cost of what is needed to the CBO.
Also SMART will help CBO raise equity through eg a bank. SMART has also set up a Credit Guarantee Fund in case the assets of the CBO do not satisfy the Bank.

3)      Enhanced warehouse based interventions: SMART is making decentralized storage facilities so there is more storage available at the local farmer level.

4)      Innovative ideas: eg new technologies. Here they will fund up to 50%.

Please contact Jeevan Bunde, from the SMART team, 09049816264. http://www.smart-mh.org/en