OPEN INNOVATION CONTEST: DIGITAL TRACEABILITY FOR COCOA PRODUCTION

ANNOUNCEMENT

OPEN INNOVATION CONTEST: DIGITAL TRACEABILITY FOR COCOA PRODUCTION

Project: CIRCULAR ECONOMY COCOA: “FROM BEAN TO BAR”

Helvetas is an independent organization for development based in Switzerland with affiliated organizations in Germany and the United States. Helvetas has been active in Vietnam since 1994, working in various areas typically Agriculture, Bio-conservation, Forestry, Eco-Tourism, and Rural Economy.

I.          BACKGROUND/ CONTEXT

Under the SWITCH-Asia programme of the European Union, we are implementing the Project “Circular Economy Cocoa: From Bean to Bar”  with the main objective to develop circular economy solutions in cocoa and other agri-food sectors, leading to equitable economic growth decoupled from harmful environmental impacts. The Project, will be implemented within 04 years from 2022 to 2026 in 06-07 cacao provinces in Central Highlands and Mekong Delta of Vietnam. 

Digital technologies have the potential to revolutionise Vietnamese agriculture by helping farmers and enterprises work more precisely, efficiently, and sustainably. Enhancing the traceability of the cocoa supply chain is an important means towards increasing the sustainability and accountability of the chocolate and cocoa sector. Digitalization in farm management and traceability will contribute to the growth of efficient, environmentally sound supply chains. In partnership with key cocoa producers in Vietnam, Helvetas is seeking innovative initiatives on digital traceability and supply chain management applicable to the cocoa sector in Vietnam. 

II.        WHAT TO PROPOSE

The contest is to find the digital traceability and supply chain management solutions applicable to the cocoa value chain in Vietnam including, but not limited to:

  • Farm management: Farmers data profile, training metrics, register and survey suppliers, interaction with farmers and producers.
  • Traceability Data Proven: Crop production traceability with complete farmers, producers, data profile and verified digital transaction from seed to table.
  • Geo Location Mapping: Advanced geo-location mapping for verified supply chains. Map production units and fields.
  • Extension and Training Services: Farmers and producer surveys, polygon mapping of farm boundaries, training and coaching registrations and evaluations, including access to agriculture knowledge & material.  

III.       WHY APPLY

The candidate of the best innovative and inclusive initiative to win the challenge will have the opportunities:

  • To become the strategic IT partner of the EU-funded Circular Economy Cocoa Project.
  • To receive technical and financial support to develop or upgrade the awarded initiative, customizing for the cocoa sector in Vietnam.
  • To be connected to key cocoa enterprises in Vietnam for service provision in the long run.

IV.      TIMELINE

 

Activities

Tentative timeline

Submission of proposals

15 May, 2023 – 15 July, 2023

Short-list announcement

End of July, 2023

Match-making sessions with partner cocoa enterprises

From August 2023

Supporting the awared IT company to implement the digital traceability solution for cocoa sector in Vietnam

From September 2023

V.        HOW TO APPLY

 Interesting candidates should send the company profile and a Concept Note about 02 pages as a brief outline of the proposed technical solutions.

Deadline to submit your application to the email: helvetas.vietnam@helvetas.org and tuan.nguyen@helvetas.org before 15 July, 2023.