Consultant to Develop a Business Plan for Segmented Implementation and Up-Scaling of Agro-Technology Innovations

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT SERVICES

Title: Consultant to develop a business plan for segmented implementation and up-scaling of agro-technology innovations in Ghana

Assignment Reference Number: SP2-2.3.1.2

A. Introduction

The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and the Centre for Development

Research (ZEF) at the University of Bonn, Germany, joined efforts to pilot the “Technology (ex?ante) Assessment and Farm Household Segmentation for Inclusive Poverty Reduction and

Sustainable Growth in Agriculture (TIGA)” project in Ghana.

FARA intends to use part of the proceeds to undertake the following consultant services:

Consultant to develop a business plan for segmented implementation and up-scaling of agro-technology innovations in Ghana

In the first phase of this project, studies were undertaken to understand the constraints and behavior of the marginalized poor so as to enable design of effective agricultural program interventions. Through segmentation, the TIGA method permits identification of areas with exploitable agricultural potential by means of crop-related technology innovations, which are adjusted to the capabilities of different segments of the rural poor and agro-ecological conditions.

Specifically, the project focuses on the following areas:

1. Defining and identifying marginality/poverty hotspots (in terms of spatial, social and economic factors)
2. Assessing the characteristics of different strata and segments of the poor
3. Identifying potential impacts of major agricultural innovations and productivity growth programs
4. Matching or segmenting identified agricultural technology innovations to specific marginality hotspots
5. Identifying barriers that hinder the spread or adoption of the agricultural technology innovations
6. Designing a rollout strategy for identified technology innovations

As a conceptual framework for analyzing the causal complexities of poverty, marginality helps explain why individuals or groups are excluded from, or do not have access to processes or resources that would otherwise free them from extreme poverty (Gatzweiler and Baumüller, 2014; Graw and Husmann, 2014). Marginality manifests in spatial, socio-economic and ecological dimensions, and areas where several of these dimensions co-exist or overlap have been referred to as ‘marginality hotspots’ by Graw and Husmann (2014). Often, the root causes of poverty such as inequality, vulnerability and exclusion are closely linked with spatial and societal marginality (Gurung and Kollmair, 2005); yet individuals or groups may be poor but not marginalized, and vice versa.

The Ghana TIGA study employed customized indicators to identify marginality hotspots in targeted regions. The study also indicated that majority of smallholder farmers in Ghana are poor and marginalized with low levels of innovation due to lack of institutional support and production inputs (Assuming-Brempong et al., 2014). Crop technology innovation of smallholder farmers in the study locations are mainly determined by education, experience, household size, farm size, membership of farmer based organizations (FBOs), extension contacts, per capita expenditure and distance to farm. The main barriers to crop technology adoption were identified as financial (mainly rising cost), unavailability or inaccessibility of new technology, and poor knowledge about technology use and application.

The dominant technologies that have the potential to reduce smallholder farmers’ level of poverty and marginality in segmented areas were specified as: inorganic fertilizers for Afigya-Kwabre; zero tillage for Amansie-West; storage facilities for Atebubu-Amantin; marketing facilities for Kintampo South; improved varieties for Gonja East; and pesticides use for Tolon districts. In addition, potential adoption rate varied among the various poverty segments in the study area and the technologies introduced and adopted have had significant effects on the income of adopters.

As detailed in the report (Assuming-Brempong et al., 2013), broad recommendations from the study that would benefit farmers in segmented areas included access to new/improved technologies, extension services, agricultural finance, production inputs, and markets; institutional support; upgrading human capital of the farmers; risk management through inter-season crop scheduling and diversification; and provision of post-harvest handling facilities.

B. Objectives of the Assignment

The TIGA project aims to reach all strata of the poor among small farming communities with innovations that foster agricultural productivity and rural growth. For this purpose, technology opportunities will be brought together with systematic and location-specific actions related to technology needs, agricultural systems, ecological resources and poverty characteristics to overcome the barriers that economic, social, ecological and cultural conditions can create.

The business plan is for use in soliciting funds to tailor these technological opportunities to the farmers. This will contribute to economic empowerment of marginalized rural farmers through adoption of segmented best-bet agricultural technologies matched to site, context, skills and capabilities.

The objectives of this assignment are as follows:

1. Elaborate an open business plan for the marginality hotspots based on the TIGA results
2. Provide recommendations on how the most promising technology innovations can be implemented and up-scaled
3. Provide detailed, stakeholder- and site-specific information on how respective smallholders can improve their incomes from engaging in business for the uptake of identified agricultural technology innovations

C. Scope of Work

The selected consultant will engage directly with relevant FARA and ZEF staff as well as targeted communities to accomplish the following:

• Review the TIGA project document, the ex-ante assessment report for Ghana, and other associated documents and publications
• If necessary, visit the project target areas for on-site consultation on agribusiness investment possibilities
• Based on findings of field visits and results and recommendations in the TIGA Report for Ghana, the consultant will come up with a clearly articulated business plan.

C.   Outputs or Deliverables

1. An inception report detailing the consultant’s interpretation of the tasks and an outline of how he/she would deliver on the assignment by 5 October 2015
2. A draft business plan for segmented introduction of agricultural technology innovations in the marginality hotspots of Ghana by 30 October 2015. See Appendix 1 for an outline of content.
3. Presentation of the draft business plan to FARA and ZEF staff for inputs and validation by 5 November 2015
4. A revised validated business plan by 15 November 2015

E. Duration of the Assignment

The consultancy will be undertaken in 20 effective days between 11th October 2015 and 30th November 2015.

F. Location of the Assignment

Location may be various, but include: marginality hotspot areas identified in the TIGA studies for Ghana; home-based; and trips to FARA Secretariat in Accra, Ghana.

G. Performance Criteria

The Consultants are expected to undertake the services with the highest standards of professional and ethical competence and integrity. They should be able to deliver the listed assignments in Section C in a most effective and efficient manner, within the period of the assignment stated in Section E.

H. Reporting

The lead and associate/country consultants will all report directly to FARA, specifically the Director, Research and Innovation.

I. Facilities to be provided by FARA and SROs

FARA may provide the following to the consultants:

1. Where necessary, literature material on specific commodity value chains and other publications on
2. Travel and accommodation while in Accra or anywhere else to attend the stakeholders workshop
3. Any other logistical support, as may be agreed, to facilitate execution of the assignment

J. Qualification and Experience

The person to undertake this assignment should:

1. Have an advanced degree in agricultural science or agribusiness with at least five years’ experience working in agribusiness, agriculture and rural development programs and value chain development;
2. Have a track record of developing agribusiness plans that benefit smallholder enterprises and knowledge of agribusiness program design and monitoring, data collection and evaluation;
3. Demonstrate familiarity with African farming systems, sustainable agricultural practices and an analytical understanding of issues around the nexus of poverty, marginality, food and nutrition security, rural development and empowerment of smallholder farmers;
4. Be knowledgeable of current African agricultural development agenda, agricultural innovation systems, and participatory approaches to agro-technology development and adoption;
5. Have experience in working, negotiating and collaborating with international donors, non-governmental organizations, and private firms; and
6. Have excellent written and oral communication skills (in the English language).

K.   References

1. Asuming-Brempong, S., Barimah, A. O., and Frimpong, S. (2013). Technology (ex? ante) Assessment and Farm Household Segmentation for Inclusive Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Growth in Agriculture (TIGA) – Ghana Report. Submitted to FARA. Unpublished (will be availed by FARA to the selected consultant).
2. Franz W. Gatzweiler, F. W. and Baumüller, H. (2014). Marginality—A Framework for Analyzing Causal Complexities of Poverty. In, J. von Braun and F. W. Gatzweiler, Eds., Marginality: Addressing the Nexus of Poverty, Exclusion and Ecology. Springer. Pp. 27 – 40.
3. Graw, V. and Husmann, C. (2014). Mapping marginality hotspots. In, J. von Braun and F. W. Gatzweiler, Eds., Marginality: Addressing the Nexus of Poverty, Exclusion and Ecology. Springer. Pp. 69 – 83.
4. Gurung, G. S. and Kollmair, M. (2005). Marginality: Concepts and their Limitations. IP6 Working Paper No. 4. Development Study Group, Department of Geography, University of Zurich, Switzerland.

APPENDICES

Appendix 1: Outline of the business plan

The business plan should have the following components:

a)     Background information and introduction of the business concept

b)    Goal, purpose, main objectives and sub-objectives,

c)     Targeted areas, target population and criteria for selection

d)    Technologies to be scaled up and out in the strategy (already developed and to be developed a new)

e)     Adoption and up-scaling strategies; organizing principles and engagement frameworks

f)     Stakeholder mapping; key partners and collaborators and their respective roles and responsibilities;

g)    Implementation arrangements and project delivery chart

h)     Proposed activities and timelines, including inputs and outputs

i)      Scheme for monitoring and evaluating progress

j)      Financial forecasting, resource mobilization and sustainability

k)     Duration

l)      References and Appendices

L. APPLICATIONS

Interested Individual Consultants should send (via e-mail) to FARA’s address (see further below) the following documents:

• Technical proposal detailing their understanding of the assignment and how they would go about conducting the assignment.
• Financial proposal providing details of the cost of each of the proposed activities, materials and fees for the consultant; and
• CV of the consultant demonstrating his/her qualifications, technical competence and experience.

Dr. Yemi Akinbamijo,

Executive Director,

FARA, PMB CT 173, Cantonments, Accra, Ghana;

Email: recruitment@faraafrica.org,       

Fax: +233 21 773676

With copies to: ifrempong@faraafrica.org

For further clarification, you may also directly contact Dr. Irene Annor-Frempong, Ag. Director of Research and Innovation, FARA. Tel: +233 302 772823 / 779421; Fax: +233 302 773676

Expressions of Interest must be delivered to the addresses above by 14:00 hours GMT, Friday,

2^nd October, 2015.

Consultants are advised to quote the Assignment Title & Reference Number in their applications.