The global conversation around food security is rapidly changing. As climate change, biodiversity loss, and rising food insecurity continue to threaten agricultural systems worldwide, organizations are beginning to shift focus toward crops that have long been overlooked but hold enormous potential for resilience, nutrition, and economic growth.
One of the most exciting new opportunities in this space is the Power of Diversity Grants 2026, launched by the Crop Trust through its Power of Diversity Funding Facility.
The initiative has announced €2.2 million in grant funding to support projects that strengthen the value chains of “opportunity crops” across selected countries in Africa and Latin America.
What Are the Power of Diversity Grants?
The Power of Diversity Grants are part of the broader Power of Diversity Funding Facility, a multi-donor initiative managed by the Crop Trust. The facility focuses on conserving and promoting underutilized crops that can improve nutrition, strengthen climate resilience, and create sustainable livelihoods.
On 12 May 2026, the facility officially launched a call for proposals aimed at supporting targeted agricultural interventions in:
Nigeria
Kenya
Zambia
Tanzania
Uganda
Colombia
The program seeks proposals that can improve the production, processing, market development, and consumer awareness of nutritious and climate-resilient crops.
Why Opportunity Crops Matter
For decades, global food systems have depended heavily on a small number of staple crops such as wheat, rice, and maize. While these crops remain essential, over reliance on them creates vulnerabilities in the face of climate change, pests, disease outbreaks, and market instability.
The Power of Diversity initiative instead focuses on “opportunity crops” crops that are often neglected in mainstream agricultural investment despite their strong nutritional value, adaptability, and local importance.
These crops can:
Thrive in harsh climate conditions
Improve dietary diversity and nutrition
Support smallholder farmer incomes
Strengthen local food systems
Preserve agricultural biodiversity
According to the Crop Trust, these crops have “immense, but largely under realized, potential” to diversify food systems and improve resilience globally.
Key Areas the Grants Will Support
The grant program is specifically looking for innovative projects that address critical gaps in agricultural value chains.
1. Increasing On-Farm Productivity
Projects may focus on:
Improved seed systems
Climate-smart agricultural practices
Farmer training and extension services
Better agronomic techniques
The goal is to help farmers increase yields and resilience while maintaining biodiversity.
2. Strengthening Post-Harvest and Processing Capacity
A major challenge for many underutilized crops is the lack of adequate processing and storage infrastructure.
The grants aim to support:
Post-harvest handling improvements
Processing technologies
Value addition initiatives
Reduced food loss and waste
Improved processing can help create market-ready products while increasing profitability for farmers and agribusiness.
3. Improving Market Access and Value Chain Efficiency
The initiative recognizes that production alone is not enough. Farmers and businesses also need stronger market systems.
Eligible interventions may include:
Market linkage development
Supply chain coordination
Agribusiness support
Distribution improvements
Market intelligence systems
These activities are intended to build more inclusive and efficient agricultural markets.
4. Enhancing Consumer Awareness
Consumer demand plays a major role in the success of opportunity crops.
The grants will also support efforts that:
Promote healthy diets
Increase awareness of nutritious crops
Encourage consumption of local foods
Develop branding and awareness campaigns
This reflects a growing recognition that food system transformation requires changes not only on farms but also in consumer behavior.
What Makes a Strong Proposal?
According to the call for proposals, successful projects should demonstrate:
A clear pathway to measurable impact
Scalability and sustainability
Strong stakeholder collaboration
Engagement with national genebanks and research institutions
The initiative encourages collaboration among:
Civil society organizations
Research institutions
Private sector actors
Agricultural enterprises
Development organizations
Public institutions
Consortium applications are also allowed.
Funding Background and Global Vision
The Power of Diversity Funding Facility launched with significant international support, including:
€10 million from Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through KfW Development Bank
€2 million from the Government of Ireland
The facility builds on previous Crop Trust initiatives focused on agricultural biodiversity and aligns with broader efforts to create resilient and sustainable food systems worldwide.
Why This Matters for Nigeria and Other Participating Countries
For countries like Nigeria, the grants present a valuable opportunity to invest in crops that are locally adapted, nutritious, and economically promising.
Many traditional African crops have historically received limited investment despite their resilience to drought and changing climate conditions. Programs like this could help:
Strengthen rural livelihoods
Expand agribusiness opportunities
Improve nutrition outcomes
Support women and youth in agriculture
Build more resilient agricultural systems
The initiative also aligns strongly with ongoing conversations around climate-smart agriculture, food sovereignty, and sustainable value chain development across Africa.
Deadline for Applications
The deadline for submitting proposals is:
3 July 2026
Organizations interested in applying should review the full eligibility requirements, intervention areas, and application process through the official Crop Trust announcement page.
How to Apply
More information about the grants and application process can be found on the official Crop Trust website:
Power of Diversity Grants 2026 – Official Call for Proposals
Final Thoughts
The Power of Diversity Grants 2026 represent more than just a funding opportunity. They signal a broader shift toward recognizing the value of agricultural diversity in building resilient food systems.
As climate pressures intensify and nutrition challenges grow, investing in underutilized crops may become one of the most important strategies for ensuring sustainable food futures.
For agribusinesses, NGOs, researchers, farmer organizations, and development practitioners working in participating countries, this call presents a timely opportunity to drive meaningful impact while contributing to a more resilient and inclusive agricultural system.
Comments
Post a Comment