Feed the Future Kenya Innovation Engine FY 2016 QIV Quarterly Report

The program aims to support competitively-selected innovations in agriculture and nutrition through catalytic grant funding and short-term technical assistance. Since March 2013, KIE has received over 670 applications, with 65 finalists pitching their innovations to the Investment Advisory Committee (IAC), resulting in 21 innovations recommended for funding. During the quarter period from 1st July 2016 to 30th September 2016, KIE has been dynamic, with new Stage 2 Awards, including Wanda Organic, ALIN, Value Farms, and Indicus EA Ltd., rapidly beginning implementation of their respective pilot roll-out grants. Additionally, KIE has ramped up its provision of targeted short-term technical assistance (STTA) to Stage 2 innovations, with USAID approving three STTA orders to assist in areas such as business modeling, strategic business planning, and a feasibility study. KIE is poised to issue four Stage 2 grants to the following innovations: Amtech Technologies, Kenya Livestock Marketing Council (KLMC), Kenya Biologics, and iProcure Ltd. The program anticipates USAID approval of the awards to occur in October 2016. KIE has also completed an end-line rigorous assessments report for University of Nairobi I, with the Cool Bot Innovation not being recommended for stage progression. In the past quarter, KIE, with the help of subcontractor Intellecap, began assisting five innovations on investment readiness and with the near-term goal of pitching to investors under the Intellecap and Sankalp forums. KIE continued to pursue collaboration with other USAID and USG projects and facilitated co-investing partnerships and linkages with the public and private sector. The program has made significant progress in achieving its key Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) targets. Currently, KIE has eight active innovations, with six at the Pilot Roll-out phase and two at Proof of Concept. The program has also finalized an end-line rigorous assessment report for the University of Nairobi I innovation and will conduct baseline rigorous assessments for the anticipated new Stage 2 awards early next quarter. KIE's qualitative impact is evident in its ability to support innovations that address the needs of smallholder farmers in Kenya. The program's focus on agriculture and nutrition has led to the development of innovative solutions that can improve the livelihoods of farmers and their families. The program's quantitative impact is also significant, with KIE having achieved several of its PMP targets, including the number of active innovations and the stage of progression of these innovations. Overall, the Feed the Future Kenya Innovation Engine has made significant progress in its implementation, with a focus on supporting innovations that address the needs of smallholder farmers in Kenya. The program's ability to leverage public and private resources to grow innovations to scale has been a key factor in its success.