Support for Commercializing Non-timber Forest Products in Zimbabwe | RFI 613 22 000003

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFI 613 22 000003

The grant opportunity titled Support for Commercializing Non-timber Forest Products in Zimbabwe is a USAID Zimbabwe (USAID-Harare) discretionary funding initiative focused on helping rural communities build more resilient livelihoods by earning income from non-timber forest products (NTFPs) while improving how natural resources are managed. The program is grounded in the reality that Zimbabwe's resilience depends heavily on land, water, forests, and wildlife, yet these resources have been steadily degrading due to climate shocks, rising poverty, population pressure, weak land-use planning, and governance challenges. The need is especially acute in Natural Regions IV and V, areas that typically receive less than 650 mm of rain per year and face frequent droughts, erratic rainfall patterns, and long dry spells. As agricultural productivity falls, households experience crop failures and livestock losses, which then forces families to look for alternative ways to earn money to buy food and finance the next season's farming inputs.

A central idea behind the opportunity is that Zimbabwe has a large base of indigenous plant biodiversity (nearly 6,000 species), with around 900 species traditionally used for food, cosmetics, or medicine, particularly in the drier regions. In these areas, NTFPs already play a meaningful role in household economies, serving as supplementary income for an estimated 60 to 70 percent of rural households. Demand is growing because consumers increasingly value the nutrition and health benefits of these products, and certain NTFPs are gaining stronger market access internationally. One example highlighted is baobab fruit, which has received EU novel foods clearance, meaning it can be exported to EU markets. The opportunity also notes that there are companies in Zimbabwe and the broader region that already buy and process NTFPs and are positioned to link rural producers to more reliable markets.

The program makes an economic case for commercialization by comparing returns from NTFPs to returns from major cash crops. It points out that the return on investment for NTFPs (with investment largely being labor for collection and processing) can be far higher than common crops grown in the same districts. For instance, in Mutoko and Mudzi districts, estimated returns are cited as USD 62.80 for Mobola seed and USD 14.08 for Sour Plum, compared to USD 1.68 for groundnuts, which is described as a major cash earner in those locations. Based on this potential, the activity aims to help communities commercialize NTFPs in ways that are environmentally sustainable, increase alternative income sources, strengthen biodiversity-friendly practices, and reduce human-wildlife conflict. Target districts are expected to be those where the most commercially valuable NTFPs exist in harvestable quantities sufficient for meaningful market participation.

The opportunity lays out three main objectives. First, it seeks to increase the production and supply of NTFPs so that communities can meet both domestic and international market demand. Second, it aims to increase investment from local, regional, and international buyers and marketers, including investments in communities and in infrastructure that helps ensure consistent supply and product quality aligned with international standards. Third, it focuses on improving natural resource management and sustainable forest management practices, with explicit attention to promoting biodiversity and reducing human-wildlife conflict, recognizing that commercialization must not accelerate resource degradation or intensify local tensions with wildlife.

To achieve these objectives, the opportunity lists several illustrative interventions. These include building community capacity around good NTFP production practices so that products are higher quality and compliant with market requirements. It also emphasizes introducing and promoting low-cost technologies to improve efficiency, cut production costs, and improve product quality, which can be critical for rural producer groups that have limited capital. Another intervention is introducing certification procedures that can raise product value and increase acceptance in both local and export markets, which is often essential for premium pricing, traceability, and buyer confidence. The activity also plans to strengthen governance models for community groups to improve accountability and business management, reflecting the common barrier that producer groups can struggle with transparent financial systems, leadership structures, and reliable contracting. Additional interventions include training on improved natural resource management practices that support biodiversity and reduce human-wildlife conflicts, helping community groups better anticipate and respond to shocks and stresses (such as drought or market disruptions), and supporting communities to identify and address conflicts that may already exist or emerge as commercialization expands. Finally, the opportunity connects livelihood and environmental goals to household well-being by also promoting consumption of diverse, nutrient-dense diets for both children and adults.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is issued by the Agency for International Development, Zimbabwe (USAID-Harare). The funding opportunity number is RFI 613 22 000003, categorized under Natural Resources with CFDA number 98.001. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is open to any type of entity unless additional eligibility clarifications are provided elsewhere in the full notice. The grant lists an award ceiling of USD 13,000,000, with an expectation of one award. The opportunity was created on Feb 07, 2022, and originally closed on Feb 28, 2022.

• The Agency for International Development, Zimbabwe USAID-Harare in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Support for Commercializing Non-timber Forest Products in Zimbabwe" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001.
• This funding opportunity was created on Feb 07, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 28, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $13,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

Apply for RFI 613 22 000003

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