CNFA-AMD Project

US-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development

SCOPE OF WORK

 Project Description:

The U.S.-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development (AMD) activity in Pakistan is a USAID funded activity implemented by CNFA with the goal of supporting the development of Pakistan’s commercial agriculture. This is envisioned to be achieved through improving the ability of Pakistan’s agriculture and livestock sectors to meet both international and domestic demands and requirements in AMD’s four targeted product lines: Citrus, Mango, High Value/Off Season Vegetables and Livestock. AMD envisions transforming the four targeted product lines into efficient, private sector-led value chains that deliver competitive products to domestic and export markets. AMD’s targeted training, matching grants, and technical assistance will leverage private sector investment and encourage innovation. Together, these approaches will support upgrades, streamlining of supply chains, optimization of profit margins, and an increase in the participation of women entrepreneurs, ultimately making Pakistani mango, citrus, meat and HV/OSV more profitable and competitive.

Background Information:

Over 35 kinds of vegetables are grown in various ecological zones in Pakistan. At the moment Pakistan is exporting very limited number and quantity of vegetables mainly to GCC, some European countries and neighboring Afghanistan.  Vegetable production in Pakistan, especially HV/OSV, faces marketing constraints due to a lack of post-harvest handling facilities for grading, sorting, packaging, pre-cooling and cold storage. According to estimates, up-to 40% of fresh produce is lost at post-harvest stage. Amongst other reasons, the prime reason for these losses is the absence of field heat removal and cold chain management at all levels. AMD aims to strengthen the HV/OSV value chain by partnering with private-sector investors to upgrade or establish centralized grading, packing and refrigerated cold storage hubs.

As part of an integrated strategy to formalize a consistent and improved supply of produce, where appropriate, AMD intends to support competitively selected businesses to establish/upgrade cold chain facilities at processor level, which will reduce post-harvest losses and increase marketing time for the fresh vegetables.

Objective of the Technical Assistance:

The objective of this assignment is to outline strategies for developing linkages between farmers and AMD-assisted commercial packinghouses in Lahore, South Punjab and Sindh. The consultant will further oversee project activities in these regions, including training activities, association development, and grant implementation. 

Assignment Scope:

The consultant’s tasks will include but not be limited to:

1. Assist in developing linkages of commercial pack houses, assisted through AMD program, with the smallholder farmers and backgrounders in the cluster of nearby villages through multi-dimensional support activities;
2. Technically oversee the training programs in the project area;
3. Develop appropriate strategies to assist program beneficiaries in improved and best management practices in vegetable field operations, moreover, link them to the packinghouses to get a better price for their product;
4. Technically oversee the AMD Training Program for farmers in the project area;
5. Technically oversee the HVOSV Grants Management in the project region;
6. Assist the HV/OSV grantees to link with value added businesses for the marketing of B & C grade natural produce for value addition;
7. Assist in arranging different events related to integrated supply chain management; 
8. Any other tasks assigned by the COP or Chief Technical Advisor relating to design and development of vegetable production, processing, and handling practices interventions.

Deliverables:

1. Develop a detailed work plan for execution of assignment in collaboration with relevant AMD sector specialist (within 04 days of assignment commencement);
2. Submit reports on development of appropriate strategies to assist program beneficiaries in improved and best management practices in vegetable field operations and further link them to the packinghouses to get a better price for their product;
3. Submit reports on technical oversight provided to the training programs in the project area;
4. Submit reports on technical input and oversight provided to the HVOSV grants management in the project region;
5. Submit report on strategies developed to assist program beneficiaries to link with value added businesses for the marketing of the B & C grade natural produce for value addition;
6. Submit reports on support provided with arranging events in the project areas for various project
   activities as directed by the VC specialist;
7. Develop draft Power Point presentation and report of the assignment for AMD staff debriefing as required by the VC specialist;
8. Record meeting minutes, pictures and field visit reports as annexures of final report;
9. Submit a final report covering all aspects of the STTA using the AMD template within 10 business days of completion of assignment.

Estimated level of effort (LOE) for the assignment:

120 Days (detail given below) including background review, discussions with AMD staff, and travel to Project sites in Pakistan.

Timing of the Assignment:

The consultants will commence working on the assignment on or about April 15, 2017 and will continue till December 31, 2017.

Qualifications: 

The Consultant should have:

1. An advanced degree in the field of Agriculture/Food Technology/Horticultural Sciences/Engineering;
2. Experience of having worked with commercial vegetable producers/processors and packinghouses;
3. Sound knowledge of vegetable production and processing;
4. Prior experience of working on consulting assignments with USAID, or any donor funded projects in Pakistan with a focus on development of the agribusiness value chain using an integrated supply chain approach, will be an advantage;
5. Excellent computer skills, particularly Word, Excel and Power Point;
6. Demonstrated ability to work in a team;
7. Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills;
8. Documented excellent English writing skills;
9. Knowledge of local languages will be an added advantage.