The Value Chain Support Fund (VCSF) meets financing needs of value-chain actors including farmers, traders, processors, transporters, exporters and packagers. It operates on a matching-grant basis.
The fund is managed by an autonomous Fund Management Committee with its secretariat in the Programme Coordination Unit. The Value Chain Manager is the focal person and Secretary of the Committee. Value Chain Technical Assistance Team (VCTAT) specialists help applicants prepare business plans and appraise proposals before Committee approval.
Who can apply
Private-sector applicants need formal registration, proof of engagement and track record, a feasible business plan showing added value or better market access for local produce, and matching investment of their own. Farmer organizations and village producer groups can access funds on the basis of production and marketing plans endorsed by VCTAT and underpinned by partnerships for supply or sale.
Most partnerships involve identified farmer groups together with an agribusiness or private firm, a knowledge or service provider (university, NGO, or public extension/research), a smallholder cooperative or association, or a combination of these with one lead partner.
Support for women, youth and remote farmers
Social mobilization partners, VCTAT and line-agency staff help partners with lower capacity — including women, youth and farmers in more remote areas — to prepare proposals and implement approved grants.
Intended outreach
The design envisaged support for up to 100 partnerships, reaching up to 60,000 smallholders directly and indirectly, and about 20 processing facilities for value addition and reduced wastage. In implementation, ETI-GB has invested over Rs. 1.4 billion around 20 commodities through Village Agriculture Cooperatives and other value-chain actors.