The global pandemic of COVID-19 outbreak resulted in distressing impacts on livelihoods of every sections of the society particularly farming community.  As lockdown was implemented to curb the pandemic, movement of farm produce was restricted which resulted in huge economic losses. The sudden outbreak of COVID-19 led to an unexpected severe imbalance between the production levels and market availability. The lockdown resulted in low sales and most farmers were unprepared for such crisis during the marketing stage of their production. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate marketing prospects, value addition and value chain analysis of Agri/ horticultural produces including the component of farmers’ level of preparedness during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Karnataka State Rural Livelihood Promotion Society in the name of “Sanjeevini”. The mission statement of KSRLPS is: “To reduce rural poverty by providing gainful wage and self-employment opportunities through community institutions resulting in sustainable improvement in their livelihoods”.

The KSRLPS has partnered with UNDP to implement the ‘National Rural Economic Transformation Project’ (NRETP) in Tumkur, Gadag and Uttara Kannada districts of Karnataka. NRETP proposes to implement higher order economic activities which are cross cutting in nature, for instance, the project design envisages that there will be an organic link between the model Cluster Level Federation (CLFs) and financial inclusion strategies, insurance and pension schemes, producer groups and organizations, product marketing and enterprise development.

Sanjeevini operates with two major concepts- Farm livelihoods and Non- farm livelihoods. Under Farm livelihoods, major focus is on developing Integrated Farming Clusters (IFC) - Organic Village Clusters, Value Chain Development (VCD) and Forward Linkages (FL).  To plan value chain intervention strategies in the 3 NRETP districts/ 13 blocks of Karnataka state, a detailed comprehensive value chain research needs to be conducted by focusing on pre- production, production and postproduction phases of a crop value chain.  

With regard to crop value chains, it is important to understand the rationale behind farmers’ decisions regarding input purchase and output marketing, the extraneous factors that influence the way value chain works, use the market map as a conceptual and practical tool that helps to identify policy issues that may be hindering or enhancing the functioning of the chain and also the institutions/ organizations providing the services (e.g. market information, quality standards) that the different chain actors need in order to make better informed decisions.

With this background, to understand the holistic picture of Agri value chains in NRETP districts, UNDP intends to hire the services of a ‘Technical Support Agency’ (TSA) and a Consultant to facilitate the implementation of the tasks by TSA.  This ToR is in particular to hire the services of a consultant who need to work in close association with the TSA.

The expert must undertake a consultative and participatory detailed ‘End to End’ Value Chain Analysis for top 6 agriculture and horticulture crops in association with TSA that will help to identify opportunities likely to spur local growth and prioritize products based on availability of raw material and demand of the value-added products.

Objectives 

The overall purpose of the ‘Crop value chain analysis’ is to identify and design livelihood development programs that if implemented, increase the employment opportunities and improve the living conditions of farm women. Also, to foster food processing and value addition industries in the region in order to overcome food loss and wastage due to fluctuating market price and to increase farm women income. The market assessment will identify value chains with high potential. The identified value chains should eventually include women folk involved in value addition activities. The value chain analysis will lead to value chain development strategies with practical action points.

Through a consultative and field-based process, the consultant will provide,

• Appropriate research methodology to TSA to conduct VCA,
• Guide/ mentor TSA in terms of selection of crops, design tools and approach for VCA
• Handhold TSA in terms of providing local knowledge and information about crop value chains in Karnataka state and 
• Handle communication with KSRLPS officer in charge of VCD and FL, with private players, business partners and TSA. Need to play the role of facilitator between KSRLPS and TSA.

Need to provide expertise to TSA in order for facilitate them to achieve following objectives,

1. To conduct detailed ‘Value Chain Analysis’ (VCA) of top 6 Agriculture and Horticulture crops in each NRETP districts (Tumkuru, Gadag and Uttara Kannada).

• Pre-Production: Sourcing of inputs (land preparation, seed material, nutrient supply, irrigation), package of practice/ cultivation practices, extension services
• Production: Pests and diseases, labour availability, harvesting, access to credit and finance.
• Post-production: Farm gate prices, vicinity to markets/ APMC, processing, storage, marketing channels, and producer share in consumer rupee. Producer groups and enterprises

2. To map the journey of the farm produce from farmers to commission agents, traders, APMC, exporters, processors, wholesalers, retail chains and further to the export market.

3.To identify value addition and food processing prospects in the NRETP districts

4.To provide suggestions and recommendations to strengthen the crop value chains and value-added products leading to better price realization and increase in farm women income. (in the form of proposals)

Scope of Work

• Facilitate to Carry out cost benefit analysis (CBA) of the crops and value chain interventions; calculate cost of cultivation for the identified crops.
• Facilitate to Map the existing potential crop value chains
• Facilitate to Identify market dynamics and opportunities; assess and map the supply and demand trends in the district
• Facilitate to analyze the supporting functions that are required to make the value chain work, including both existing and missing support functions (e.g. infrastructure, information, related services)
• Clarify the rules and regulations (e.g. standards, laws, informal rules and norms) related to the value chain. Outline any gaps that must be filled in order to develop value chains sustainably.
• Facilitate to assess the competitiveness of the value chain(s) and determine how to create competitive advantages for the selected crops in the context of local and regional trends
• Facilitate assess the cost, profit, marketing, and supply and demand dynamics of the value chain.
• Facilitate design value chain development action plans and suggest key recommendations to strengthen them.
• Draft the most cost-effective interventions proposals/ concept notes and ToRs to help KSRLPS to execute the recommended value chain intervention activities in the NRETP districts.

Approach and Methodology:  

The study requires an in-depth value chain analysis in terms of deeper understanding of production, intermediation, product flow, value addition and wastages at each level, price mark-up, roles being played by each value-chain player as well as factors affecting the value chain (pre-harvest operations, post-harvest management, procurement, handling infrastructure, logistics, marketing & sales, services, technology, human resources management) including sustainable agriculture and organic farming, gaps in value chain development, backward & forward linkages, capacity building, access to funds etc.

The study will be based on combinations of secondary research/ literature review and primary research (focus group discussions with the relevant multiple stakeholders, interviews with key informants (KII’s)) in discussion and guidance of the Mission Director, KSRLPS. The Consultant need to work in 3 NRETP districts in the state- Tumkur, Gadag and Uttara Kannada districts. The crops need to be chosen- top 6 agriculture and horticulture crops (area wise and potential for value addition) excluding ODOP crops identified for the district.

Expected outcome and Deliverables:  

The consultant is expected to provide comprehensive information on the necessary economic and market factors that influence the cultivation of a major crop, inputs to streamline the existing value chain with interventions would go a long way in contributing to increase of farmer income, better price realization, reduction in losses and promoting healthy competition in the market.

The study shall generate valuable information on Agri value chain that will help assist to KSRLM staff to make relevant decisions to intervene in the development of an effective value chain and designing of appropriate policies and strategies. The findings of the study would also be useful to producers, traders, consumers, exporters, processors, service providers, market intermediaries and marketing agents to better assess and make astute business decision making. 

The Consultant will submit to UNDP- KSRLPS the following materials:

• Work plan and schedule of visits (to assist TSA)
• All quantitative and qualitative data (completed questionnaires, recorded interviews, focus groups discussions transcripts/ summary reports, etc)
• Report & power point presentation of all potential value-chains based on secondary research, mapping of sectoral best practices and key informant information
• Assist report writing and power point presentation of short-listed value chains, based on secondary research, primary assessment, and feasibility and cost-benefit analysis by TSA
• For each selected value chain, standard operating procedure document each selected value chain, promotional document, in the form of an executive summary, highlighting the scope for enhancing incomes in the district and their relevance to other areas in the country as well as in power point presentation form
• Any other documents that will be used or collected in the course of the consultancy

Duration of the engagement

06 Months

Deliverables and Assignment details

The consultant shall provide the following deliverables against the tasks and work schedule specified above:

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrates/safeguards ethics and integrity.
• Works as a team member.

Educational Qualifications: Master’s degree in Agri. Marketing/ Agri. Economics/ Social studies/ Development science/ Development planning. Master’s Degree (MA, MSc) in Economics/ Rural Development/ Rural Management or MBA in Finance / Marketing / Business Administration/ Management / Natural Resource Management / Adv. Supply Chain Management.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5+ years of experience in handling value chain development/ market linkage for agriculture commodity trading /produce. She/he should have experience of procurement and marketing of specific Agri commodity in large scale.
• Minimum of 3+ years of relevant professional job experience (market assessments, local economic development, value chain development, strategic planning, etc.)
• Proven experience in planning, implementing, and monitoring livelihoods programs (and managing multiple projects)
• Experience in working with international/ national NGOs and UN organizations, or with government authorities at state/ national level

Functional Competencies:

Job Knowledge/ Technical Expertise

• Overall understanding of the Agri Value Chain and development in Karnataka State
• Experience in designing and implementing research, analysis, report writing etc
• Experience working with the UN and CSOs on the ground will be an added advantage
• Nuanced functional research skills with attention to detail and academic vigor, with competency in facilitating workshops
• Excellent demonstrated documentation skills and prior experience in developing concept notes / reports / project plans/communication collaterals will be essential
• Self-motivated and ability to work with minimal supervision.

Communication skills

• Good communication, interpersonal skills, with an ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and Kannada is essential

Evaluation Criteria

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as Responsive to the requirement. Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation

•          Technical Criteria weight - 70%

•          Financial Criteria weight – 30 %

Technical Criteria (70% of total evaluation)

1. Experience of working in Agriculture Value Chain sector - 30%
2. Experience working with the Non Profit Sector/Government - 30 %
3. Relevant educational qualification - 10%

Financial Criteria: (30% of the total evaluation) based on the total all-inclusive lump sum amount for professional fee for tasks specified in this announcement.

Submission of Proposal

Financial Proposal:

Technically qualified consultants will be requested to submit their lump sum rate i.e. consultants who score more than 70% i.e. 49 marks with respect to the above-mentioned evaluation criteria. Consultant should not specify their consultancy fee on their CV or with the submission. The CV will not be evaluated further in case the consultant submits the same.

Note:

1. Any kind of miscellaneous charges i.e. internet, phone, relocation charges etc. would not be reimbursed
2. Travel, lodging and boarding as per UNDP rules subject to prior approval
3. Individuals working with institutions may also apply, contract would be issued in the name of institution for the specific services of individual