Building a Better World
Consultancy opportunity
CONSULTANT OF EMIRGE Farmers’
cooperatives
• Introduction
CHF International has been operating in Rwanda since 2005, and strives to be a
catalyst for long-lasting positive change in low- and moderate-income
communities around the world, supporting them to improve their social, economic
and environmental conditions.
Through the EMIRGE Program funded by USAID, CHF International Rwanda is
responsible for to improving incomes of small-scale farmers by enabling nascent
agricultural cooperatives to both overcome common constraints and pursue
member-driven business objectives. EMIRGE employs a market facilitation
approach based on comprehensive analysis of high potential agricultural value
chains, integrating groups of marginalized economic actors into the mainstream
economy by linking them to the services and markets that will drive their
growth and raise member incomes.
One of the program’s interventions focuses on supporting farmers’ cooperatives in
enhancing their business capacity by increasing the productivity through the
use of the best agriculture practices, use of inputs, post harvest handling and
storage activities improving the quality of their products while also linking
them to the markets.
To assist in achieving this objective, CHF seeks a qualified individual to
conduct a consultancy with the farmers’ cooperatives supported by CHF and
perform the following tasks:
• Scope of Work
The Consultant(s) will:
• Assess the current situation in the cooperatives implementing agriculture
activities: suitability of the selected crops to the sites’ agro-ecological
conditions and assess the types of agricultural practices used on the selected
crops (tillage techniques, fertilization, seeds, crop rotation, diseases and
pest control);
• Identify the areas where production or quality have the capacity to increase
through the application of new agricultural practices;
• Advise on the suitable crops according the agro-ecological conditions and
consumers’ needs (markets);Advise on availability of new seed varieties or
particular products that are more appropriate to the agro-ecological conditions
and the abilities of the cooperative vis à vis existing cropping
seasons/harvests;
• In accordance with the findings of the above activities the bulk of the LOE
will be in the provision of technical assistance to the cooperatives to ensure
the increase in the quality and/or quantity of each cooperative’s key
production. It is envisioned that the consultant will:
– Train cooperatives ‘members on the specific agricultural techniques required
for their selected crops. The training will be organized one month before the
planting season 2014 A (July-mid-August 2013).
– Train cooperative members on the production organic fertilizers
– Train cooperative members on soil regeneration techniques and techniques that
prevent erosion and soil leaching
– Train cooperative members on the availability and use of biomass that exists
within their own farm plots or household plots which can be utilized to assist
in the regeneration of soil nutrients
– Train on the application of bio-intensive agriculture techniques with the
selected crops and other specific techniques;
– Identify and select lead farmers who will serve as FFS facilitators
– Assist the establishment of FFS and conduct a season-long training on FFS
approach to the selected facilitators by practicing AESA(Agro Eco System
Analysis)on a weekly basis
• Provide progress reports on the services delivered: one for the services delivered
before the beginning of the season 2014 A (assessment of the situation,
training, land preparation, planting/seeding) the second in the mid-season
after the flouring stage showing the situation and expected results/harvest and
the final report.
Knowledge and Skills required
• Have experience in implementing Farmer Field schools approaches and have
experience in training adult farmers.
• Have at least five years of experience in agriculture sector.
• Demonstrated ability to apply bio-intensive agricultural approaches and
demonstrated ability to train on soil nutrient regeneration techniques, how to
reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides
• Demonstrated experience in working with farmers’ cooperatives or producer
groups.
Minimum Qualifications
• University Degree (A0) in in Agriculture or agro-business with qualification
in crop production.
Language:
• Fluency in English.
• French and Kinyarwanda fluency a plus.
Expected results
• Cooperatives will increase their productivity.
• Farmers are skilled on soil nutrient regeneration techniques
• Farmers are skilled in agricultural techniques required for their selected
crops
• FFS are established in all agricultural cooperatives
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON
CONSULTANCY OPPORTUNITY
• 10 working days for intensive training of Lead farmers
• 80 days of coaching in cooperatives (1 day per week per cooperative in 4
months)
• How to Apply
Please submit in a sealed
envelope printed and bound proposals containing: Cover letter,
Executive Summary with description of Proposed Services, Qualifications, proof
of similar services rendered to other institutions, time Frame and a pricing
section at CHF International Rwanda, Country Office located at Kacyiru Nord,
Plot 1091. The names of the consultant or firm must be mentioned on the
envelope with subject “Agricultural
technical assistance to EMIRGE Cooperatives” . Submission
should be no
later than 23rd July 2013 at 4:00 PM. Online submission will
not be allowed.
CHF International is a member of the Network of International NGOs, NINGO /
Rwanda
