Livelihood Diversification through Sorghum and Green Grams Value Chain Development (SGG) Project and Community Based Seed Systems Project Terms of Reference For Developing Project Models Document
1.0 Background 1.1 About Farm Africa Farm Africa is a non-profit organization that provides catalytic support to financially viable and environmentally sustainable rural economies based on small-scale commercial farming, and new, smallholder-supplied and SME-driven agribusiness models. These models link rural businesses to producers, processors and markets as a fundamental principle to increase smallholder incomes. Founded in Kenya 30 years ago, Farm Africa has a wealth of experience implementing economic development projects, especially in challenging environments, such as the dry lands (north and South Eastern regions of Kenya). Farm Africa is implementing two innovative projects in Kitui County namely: Livelihood Diversification through Sorghum and Green grams Value Chain Development project (SGG) and Community Based Seed Systems Project (CBSS). Farm Africa is seeking consultancy services to develop and document a project models document for the SGG and CBSS projects. 1.2 About the SGG project The Sorghum and Green Grams (SGG) project forms a key component of Farm Africa s Dryland Farming Programme in Kenya; building on lessons learned through the EU-funded Dryland Farming project (January 2010-October 2011). The project is market led production by promoting the adoption of Drought Tolerant Crops (DTCs) and sustainable dryland farming techniques by smallholder farmers in 16 target locations in Kitui County, through supporting 364 producer groups which consists 7,120 farmers. A value chain approach has been used in the project implementation. 1.2.1 SGG Project Objectives a) To increase the production of sorghum and green grams in Kitui county b) To increase the incomes of 7000 HHs by 20% c) To draw lessons on promoting sustainable livelihood diversification through value chain development from the project's approach to inform development activities in ASAL areas. 2.3 About CBSS project The CBSS project enables farmers to improve their incomes sustainably by engaging in commercial production of DTC seeds and marketing through contract farming. To facilitate this, Farm Africa partnered with a Seed Company, which engages the farmers as out growers, provides high quality parental seed to farmers and then buys back the multiplied seeds. Under this agreement, the farmers are registered as official seed producers with the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and have their crops inspected and certified. The farmers work collectively in producer groups, which helps them increase production volumes and profit through joint marketing. Agronomic training is provided to improve on crop production and postharvest handling. Agri-business training is also offered to enable farmers envisage farming as a business. The project has reached approximately 400 farmers. 2
2.3.1 CBSS Project Objectives a) To avail high quality seed in target locations among adopter farmers b) To build the knowledge and the resource base of poor holder farmers in Kenya ASLS to use, multiply and sell good quality seed of a variety of drought tolerant crops (DTCs) c) To draw lessons on promoting sustainable livelihood diversification through value chain development from the project's approach to inform development activities in ASAL areas. 3.0 The purpose of the consultancy In delivering the stated objectives for the SGG and CBSS projects, three models were deployed in an integrated approach. These models include: agriculture model, marketing model and farmer organisation model. The purpose of this consultancy is therefore to document the models used by: (i) SGG project (ii) CBSS Project This is aimed at packaging replicable project models. In order to achieve the stated purpose of this assignment, the consultant shall capture the following: 3.1Agricultural support model 3.1.1 Document the model that transferred knowledge/skill/techniques/technology to farmers and its effectiveness. Describe every dissemination level as used in the project. 3.1.2 Describe the skills, techniques and technologies that were employed for skills and knowledge transfer/dissemination to farmers 3.2 Marketing model 3.2.1 Clearly review and document the marketing model adoption in the project i.e. linkage of farmers to various off takers/markets as in the case of SGG 3.2.2 Synthesize and re-evaluate the contract farming approach used majorly in CBSS through linkage to FreshCo Seed Company 3.3 Farmer organisation model 3.3.1 Clearly review and document the farmer organisation structure utilised in project implementation and marketing. 3.3.2 Review and document the function of farmers networks in the organisation structure and how they can be used in technology transfer, learning and teaching farmers to be innovators 4.0 Some guiding research questions for the three models include: i. What are the current widely used technology transfer methods within the agricultural sector and how can the models used within SGG and CBSS be classified in comparison to the rest? ii. What is the role of farmer groups in the community and in Extension/upscaling of agricultural technology? iii. Which are the key challenges faced while dealing with farmer groups as entry points for technology transfer and marketing of their produce? iv. How is the effectiveness of the model in teaching farmer groups to innovate? 3
v. What are the key obstacles to the farmer groups to act as key extension players in technology transfer? vi. Was the model effective in linking the farmers with other groups and service providers to be able to achieve their farming goals and grow their incomes? vii. Was the model effective in mainstreaming gender and ensuring equity within the farming communities? viii. what factors make groups successful in group activities in general, and extension in particular ix. What are the key characteristic factors that determine the success of farmer groups in farming as a business? x. What are the policy recommendations to government, extension and development organizations regarding farmer groups roles in extension/upscaling of technology xi. How can farmers and farmer groups best be facilitated in disseminating information? xii. What are the key obstacles of ensuring cohesiveness and mutual benefits among the different players within the value chains? xiii. What are the challenges of adapting contract farming in the ASALs based on the CBSS marketing model? xiv. Propose the main elements of an action plan to strengthen the models, including recommendations necessary modifications and adaptation within Farm Africa as an efficient and effective extension provision model 5.0 Key deliverables No. Deliverable/Task 1. Inception report indicating the consultant s interpretation of the ToRs and proposed methodology. Any questionnaires/other tools to be used for the assignment should also be included as appendices to the inception report 2. Moderate a two day project models documentation workshop and submit workshop report 3. Submit final consultancy report, two Project models documents i.e. SGG and CBSS (both in soft copy and hard copy) 5.1 Inception report Should show how every model will be identified and documented. 5.2 Project Model Documentation workshop report Capturing the contributions made by the various value chain players 5.3 Final Report and project models documents: After identification of the models for the two projects and documenting, the consultant shall submit to the soft copy of the report. The Report shall consist of the following: 6.0 Methodology: Documentation of all the project models for SGG and CBSS (in two separate documents) Consultancy report indicating - Level of model adoption in the project; Gaps/Limitations identified in the models, recommendations for improvement and critic of relevance to the respective project Review of project documents and reports 4
Key informant interviews of key value chain players and supporters; projects staff and lead farmers FGDs with specific value chain players e.g. producer groups/producer organization leaders, traders, transporters, off-takers, traders, business development support providers (financial service providers etc) Joint workshop sessions with a cross section of Private sector players in the value chain, relevant GoK parastatals and Ministries (KARLO, KEPHIS, MoA, Ministry of Trade and cooperatives, Agriculture sector development support program (ASDSP), seed companies and farmer representatives 7.0 Contract management and Logistics: The consultant will work under direct supervision and coordination of the Project Coordinator (PC) and Programmes Manager (PM). The PC will provide the consultant with the necessary project documents/reports required for the fulfilment of tasks and will facilitate the necessary meetings. Farm Africa s communications officer and M&E support officer will also support in review of the report and models documents and ensure compliance to branding guidelines. The consultant will be in charge of logistics and costs incurred in delivering the assignment (transport, accommodation, meals, incidentals etc). Note: Farm Africa will cater for the joint workshop session participants costs 8.0 Duration: This activity is expected to take 10 days i.e. 8 th to 19 th August, 2016. 9.0 Qualifications: University degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agribusiness or related fields; Good knowledge/experience in knowledge/skills/techniques/technologies transfer Good workshop moderation, communication and report writing skills Experience in Agribusiness development, and produce aggregation & bulking approaches. Interested consultants or firms are requested to submit a proposal detailing: The interpretation of the TORs, proposed methodology, work schedule and financial proposal/budget (This should not exceed 7 pages) A capability statement demonstrating how they meet the required qualifications and competencies Copies of all relevant Curriculum Vitae Two references (including one from your last client /employer). A copy of report similar assignment done within the past three years (This will be used solely for assessing the consultants capability of delivering on this assignment) All documents must be submitted by email to kenyarecruitment@farmafrica.org indicating the title on the subject by COB on 4 th August 2016. 5