- Japan SDGs Innovation Challenge for UNDP Accelerator Labs -Identified SDGs issues
and expertise/technologies expected fromJapanese private sector partners
UNDP Accelerator Lab Zimbabwe

Identified SDGs issues by UNDP Accelerator Lab
Most common bird in
the world with anestimated 1.5 Billion in
Sub Saharan Africa

Consume up to
than 30% of thegrains farmed inZimbabwe

Growing numbers
due to favourable
weather conditions
induced by climatechange1 Ton of grain can be easily destroyed

by a quelea swarm in a day. Enough tofeed a family of 6 for a year.

7.7 Million Zimbabweans arefood insecure due to climate change
related yield losses
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Small grains are a climate resilient
alternative to maize. Government
launched the small grains initiative

Quelea impact the most vulnerable
communities in Zimbabwe locatedin dry arid regions

Currently all effective control
mechanisms have adverse
environmental impact

AccLab will test Quelea control
solution in the Save and Zambezi
Valley, which are the worst affected2Intended value addition by the Lab
Healthy source of Protein:
Presently beneficiaries birFenthion sprayed birds. The Acclab
solution will ensure the controlled
quelea are for consumption

Increased Productivity: 90%
reduction in time spent bycommunities scaring quelea
from fields. Currently this is a
12 hour routine

Improved Food Security: The Acclab
solution will control quelea at scaleand enable vulnerable communities
to increase small grains production

Vibrant Ecosystems: Fenthion anddynamites are the most common
control methods. Both disturb theecosystem. The solution will spare
non-target organisms

The new value addition described above will be achieved through the Lab exploring alternative controlof quelea birds that replace existing methods
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3

Expertise/technologies expected from Japanese partners
The AccLab has a bold ambition of a leap frog technology driven solution that combines the ideas below.

Swarming drones with deterrence/kill
payload.
Expertise required: drone technology,
and design and deployment. Image
processing and automation algorithms.

AI powered quelea modelling driven byremote sensing and human reporting.
Expertise required: forecasting
software, ML, low bandwidthconnectivity, satellite data, GIS

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Mobile AI powered cameras and “irondome”
Expertise required: Machine learning,
image processing, projectile interceptor
designing, tracking/navigation4

Resources the Accelerator Lab can provide
On the grounds expertise: The Acclab with support from the Ministry ofAgriculture has the capacity to visit the project sites through the project lifecycle,
to test and engage local communities for increased solution ownership andsustainability/continuity.
Digital Skills: The Acclab in Zimbabwe enjoy close working
relations with the UNDP Chief Digital Office who provide
expert support on the Lab’s digital projects
Matching funds: The Acclab will provide an additional $20,000 towards thesolution development. These funds are dedicated to project sustainability throughcapacity building of local tertiary institutions in R&D working with Japanese firms
Monitoring and Evaluation: The Acclab works closely with the Green Climate Fund(GCF) and the Global Environmental (GEF) in experimentation. Both have a robust
M&E framework which optimise learning outcomes and resource utilisation
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5Stakeholders of the project
Stakeholder

Key Decision Maker

Status

Ministry of Agriculture, THEMigratory Pests and Biosecurity
Control Department (MPBCD)

Director

Stakeholder engaged on multiple
occasions and strong buy-in obtainedat Director level.

Food and Agriculture Organisation(FAO)

Pesticide Risk Reduction Officer forSouthern and East Africa

Multiple project planning meetings atofficer level followed by discussions
at High Level which led toauthorisation to partner

University of Zimbabwe, Centre for
Research and Innovation

Head of Innovation Hub

MOU on research and innovation
partnership under preparation

National University of Science andTechnology, Innovation Hub

Head of Innovation and Research Hub Multiple visits and meetings.
Exploration of MOU

Green Climate Fund – Zimbabwe

Project Manager

Multiple meetings and field visits toaffected areas. Buy-in obtained andready to start

Save Valley Communities

Chiefs and village headsmen

Communities engaged during field
missions. Eager to have the project6
startedAll Rights Reserved by UNDP 2022

Expected outcomes and follow-up activities to the project
Post project Activities• Scaling up of solution by showcasing results to development partners beyond
Zimbabwe as this challenge affects many African countries. Target include Worldbank, African Development Bank and the Gates Foundation• Continued capacity building at local tertiary institutions to improve the designof the solution and lower production costs• Lasting beneficiary engagement using the Ministry of Agriculture social media
reporting/engagement platforms• Listing of solution as a public good within the Digital Public Goods Alliance sothat it benefits the rest of the continent
Showcasing of Outcomes• Learning sessions to discuss key outcomes from the project with stakeholders
and potential investors• Working out loud via a blogging and vlogging series written in collaboration
with key stakeholders• Official visit and presentation to the Embassy of Japan in Zimbabwe, with major
media outlets invited• Production of short project video in Japanese targeting the Japanese audienceto showcase to them the impact of the Japanese Innovation Network
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