USAID- FOSTERING AGRICULTURAL MARKETS ACTIVITY (FARMA)/ SUPPORT FOR INTRODUCTION OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND FOOD SAFETY SYSTEMS

Background:                                                  Grant amount: Maximum 10,000 BAM         

The purpose of the Fostering Agricultural Markets Activity (FARMA) is to provide technical assistance in Bosnia Herzegovina (BiH) subsectors of agriculture markets through demand driven support aimed at improved competitiveness of BiH agricultural products. FARMA is to expand environmentally sustainable production, processing and sales of value-added agricultural products. The expected result of FARMA is economic growth and contribution to poverty reduction.

FARMA is awarding grants to selected producer organizations (POs) to support funding of the activities which introduce, improve and/or sustain the implementation of the EU Food Safety Standards with the goal to significantly improve access to EU markets by ensuring that local produce meet EU standards and obtain necessary certifications. Implementation of food safety standards in BiH will improve farm management, achieve higher product quality and improve environmental outcomes as well as assist producers maintain or access new EU markets.

Eligibility:
 
Applicant must be a BiH producer organization or non-governmental organization compliant with BiH laws and all relevant USAID policies and regulations.

POs that meet the following criteria are eligible to apply:
   - Those who are involved in fruits and vegetables, milk, medicinal and aromatic (MAP) and honey production and/or processing;
   - Those who are export orientated
   - Those who have registered their business in accordance to the BiH law
   - Those who are involved in fruits production must utilize an area of at least 2.5 ha in order to apply for individual certification, while
     individual producers of berry fruits, vegetables or organic produce must utilize an area of at least 1.5 ha
   - For the GlobalGAP or organic group certification there must be at least three individual agricultural producers, utilizing together a total
     area of at least 2.5 ha
   - Those who meet all the environmental requirements described under FARMA Initial Environmental Examination and Programmatic
     Environmental Assessment
   - Those who have urban and construction permits and clean title on the land, farm buildings, storage and processing facility;
   - Those who are included in VAT system and have financial reports.

Grant amount and criteria:

   - Maximum amount requested from FARMA should not exceed 10,000 BAM
   - FARMA participation should be 50% or less of the cost of the entire project
   - Used equipment CANNOT be financed.
   - FARMA funds will be reimbursed to the applicant only after the relevant certification is obtained and presented to FARMA in a form of the        final report from the certification agency together with other required documentation such as invoices receipts etc.
   - Potential grant recipients that received financial assistance for obtaining any of the above mentioned certificates from any other donor
     project, NGO and/or government institution (written statement will be a requirement)
   - To obtain payment the grant recipient must present (for service provider i.e. certification agency) a proof on accreditation for the
     specified standards.
 
Deadline: 31 January 2013

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