CLOSED:
PROJECT BACKGROUND:
PIND’s Market Development project is a vital initiative focused on strengthening agricultural productivity and uplifting the economic status of farmers and small enterprises across the diverse landscapes of the Niger Delta region. Through the adoption of a market systems development (MSD) approach, the project strategically targets the root causes of market underperformance, ensuring sustainable enhancements in key agricultural sectors.
Following a thorough mid-line technical review in Q3 2022, PIND received valuable recommendations advocating for a transition towards a cross-cutting strategy. This strategic shift aims to address overarching challenges that permeate multiple agricultural value chains. While commodity-specific solutions have been instrumental, they often exhibit cross-cutting impacts that could be leveraged across various sectors.
In line with this strategic evolution, PIND aims to amplify its interventions by collectively addressing common issues shared by cassava, cocoa, palm oil, poultry, and other value chains. These sectors have been identified as pivotal pillars for agricultural development within the region.
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES OF THE ACTIVITY:
The purpose of this study is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the challenges with farmer access to and adoption of appropriate agricultural technologies for select value chains and to understand the barriers to entry and promotion of these technologies by the support market actors. It will also help to understand the associated dynamics with farmer access to industrial markets.
OBJECTIVES:
- Identify, analyze, and categorize the various market channels and types of technologies predominant across the Niger Delta. This will focus on categorizing a broad range, of technologies that improve agricultural output.
- Evaluate the level of awareness and accessibility of markets, identify available market opportunities, and analyze the gaps mitigating awareness and accessibility as well as evaluate the level of adoption of technologies, available opportunities, constraints, and gaps. This will help to highlight potential areas for improvement and interventions.
- Engage with market actors, including farmers, agro-dealers, processors, and, processors, offtakers, etc. through interviews, surveys, and focus group discussions, to gather valuable insights and perspectives on the access to industrial markets and agricultural technology.
- Provide recommendations for improving farmer access to industrial markets and available appropriate agricultural technologies in the Niger Delta, based on the findings and insights gathered through the assessment and stakeholder engagement processes.
CONSULTANT QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERTISE:
Consultants to be engaged for this project should possess the following qualifications and expertise:
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- Educational Qualification: A minimum of a Master’s degree in agricultural economics, agribusiness, rural development, or a related field.
- Professional Experience:
- Extensive experience (at least 5 years) in conducting research and analysis in the agricultural sector, particularly in market systems development and value chain analysis.
- Proven track record of successfully leading similar assessments or studies related to technology and markets.
- Experience working in the Niger Delta region or similar contexts with a thorough understanding of the local agricultural landscape and market dynamics.
- Technical Skills:
- Proficiency in conducting literature reviews, data analysis, and market assessments.
- Strong analytical skills to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities within agrictechnology and markets.
- Familiarity with qualitative and quantitative research methods, including surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions.
- Ability to develop comprehensive reports with actionable recommendations for stakeholders.
- Stakeholder Engagement:
- Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, including fabricators, research institutions, processing facilities, farmers, government agencies, and civil society organizations.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to facilitate interviews, surveys, and focus group discussions.
- Experience in developing stakeholder engagement plans and conducting outreach activities.
- Project Management:
- Strong project management skills to oversee the entire research process from inception to final deliverables.
- Ability to develop work plans, manage timelines, and coordinate fieldwork activities.
- Attention to detail and ability to adhere to project deadlines and budgets.
- Language Proficiency: Proficiency in English is required, and knowledge of local languages spoken in the Niger Delta region would be an advantage for effective communication with stakeholders.
- Ethical Standards: Commitment to upholding ethical standards in research, including obtaining informed consent, ensuring confidentiality, and respecting the rights and dignity of research participants.
HOW TO APPLY:
The application and cost proposal should be emailed to procurement@pindfoundation.org along with the following mandatory items/supporting documents latest by 5PM Nigerian time on July 8, 2024 (It is advisable to apply immediately as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis).
