Antecedentes
- Changing agricultural practices: farmers are replacing their traditionally diverse agricultural practices with high-yielding varieties, mono-crops and high levels of chemical fertilizer and pesticide use.
- Land use changes: Traditional agriculture and forest land are converting to “contract farming” of cash crops, including tree crops (e.g. rubber and Eucalyptus).
- Over-exploitation of biodiversity in the agricultural landscape: Increased population pressure and use of unsustainable harvesting practices influence negatively on agricultural biodiversity resources.
- National policy and institutional arrangements mainstream biodiversity in agriculture and land use sectors
- National agriculture extension service promotes the sustainable use of farmer varieties and conservation and sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity within current production systems
- Strengthened local level capacity to conserve biodiversity and enhance productivity of biodiversity resources, especially agricultural biodiversity resources
- Agricultural biodiversity-friendly products made available in local and international markets
- Four in-situ gene banks established over 100,000 ha
Deberes y responsabilidades
- different agro-ecosystems of the country;
- degree of market integration (geographical); and
- main crop types being traded on the national and international markets.
- Participate in the identification of key agricultural biodiversity-friendly products in Lao PDR with the consultancy team, including specific products for which markets have been under exploited.
- Characterize national and international markets for agricultural biodiversity-friendly products (by region / product).
- Conduct case-study analysis of the successful marketing of specific agricultural-biodiversity friendly products in Lao PDR.
- Review all barriers to the successful marketing of the key agricultural biodiversity-friendly products.
- Outline and assess options for successfully marketing key agricultural biodiversity-friendly products (by region / product), including an analysis of the costs of production and the viability of the market by product.
- Identify key agricultural products that maintain and promote the conservation and sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity.
- Identify agricultural products that, with improved management, can be produced in a manner that maintains and promotes the conservation and sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity.
- Identify the main factors that determine the impact of the production of the selected products on agricultural biodiversity (by product).
- Assess the impact that agricultural-biodiversity friendly production will have on the costs of production and levels of financial profitability (by product).
- Identify any market incentives that may motivate the companies to develop guidelines for more biodiversity friendly practices (e.g. certification schemes).
- Identify commercial agricultural companies who may be willing to consider adopting guidelines for more biodiversity friendly practices.
- Analyze the linkages of local communities to the identified commercial agriculture companies.
- Identify specialized crops and high potential products.
- Identify niche markets and key components of “added value” within these markets.
- Conduct a financial viability analysis for the production and marketing of the specialized crops and high potential products in niche markets.
- Analyze international and national market demand for the selected crops including costs of processing, production and certification.
- Identify potential partners for the commercialization of high-potential products and specialized crops.
- Provide comprehensive support to the International Lead Consultant / Biodiversity Expert in the preparation of the marketing related component of the Full-Sized Proposal, according to the principles of Results Based Management.
- Provide inputs into other sections of the FSP, as required.
- Review relevant literature, including documents, reports, reviews, etc.
- Meet with relevant stakeholders, which will include Government, private sector, international non-governmental organizations, local communities, and others.
- Organize and conduct workshops with all relevant stakeholders, to build partnerships and collaboration and raise awareness, as needed.
- Organize and realize field visits, as needed.
- Overview of market trends in Lao PDR, identifying national and international market forces threatening biodiversity;
- Identification of barriers to, and options for, marketing “agricultural biodiversity-friendly” products
- Assessment of the potential of agricultural companies to develop guidelines for more biodiversity friendly practices;
- Identification of options for niche markets and specialized crops, including the identification of high-potential products, financial viability analysis;
- Identification of potential partners, including commercial companies who may introduce biodiversity friendly practices, and stakeholders in the development of specialized crops and high potential products of nice markets;
- Illustrate the report with concrete examples and case studies.
Competencias
- Knowledge of and familiarity with financial viability analysis, characterization of agricultural markets, and assessment of market barriers / opportunities
- Ability to conduct research and analysis and strong synthesis skills
- Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback; consensus-oriented
- Highly develop inter-personal, negotiation and teamwork skills, networking aptitude, ability to work in multi-cultural environment
- Regional knowledge is desirable
- Excellent in English report writing and communication skills
Habilidades y experiencia requeridas
- Proven and extensive international experience in agricultural marketing, preferably with experience and extensive knowledge in marketing of niche products
- Experience in UNDP/GEF project formulation/design
- Thorough knowledge of - and experience with – agricultural biodiversity
- Appropriate higher degree qualifications and at least 10 years relevant experience