Bangladesh: International Consultant – Marketing Strategy and Intervention Areas for Agro-products (Under Agriculture and Food Security Project (AFSP-II)
Country: Bangladesh
Closing date: 19 Oct 2013
Agriculture and Food Security Project (AFSP) II in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) started in July 2013 for a period of 5 years following successful implementation of AFSP I and demonstrated results in increasing production and income of farmers and it is one of the components of Danida-funded programme called Agricultural Growth and Employment Programme (AGEP). Other components are (i) Integrated Farm Management Component (IFMC) and (ii) Agro Business Development Component (ABDC). The AFSP II is implemented by UNDP-CHTDF (Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Facility) and it focuses on Integrated Farm Management through Farmer Field School (FFS) approach across the CHT where, marketing for agro-products is one of the areas.
CHT, located in the south-eastern part of Bangladesh, comprises of three districts. The rough terrain, remoteness and various socio-political issues associated with a protracted conflict have seriously impeded the economic development of the region. The area of CHT is about 13,000 square miles with a total population of 1.5 million. It is the home of 11 ethnic indigenous groups - and the mainstream Bengalees. CHT is a post conflict area with a history of over 2 decades arm conflict that ended through signing of peace accord (commonly known as ‘’CHT Peace Accord”) in 1997.
The economy of CHT is very much centred on traditional agriculture and forest resources. The agricultural practices in CHT are dominated by topography of hilly terrain and traditional practices. The jhum (shifting cultivation) cultivation has been a pre-dominant agricultural practice – particularly among the indigenous communities. However, due to low return currently the jhum farmers are looking for other agricultural practices – particularly horticulture and different cash crops. In the valleys (along the main rivers e.g. Feni, Chengi, Mayeni, Kasalong, Matmuhuri, Sangu etc.) pady and vegetables are the main agricultural products. Usually, the major crops grown in the CHT are rice, banana, sesame, pulses, till, gourds, mustard, sweet potato, potato, turmeric, ginger, cucumber, sweet potato, ladies fingers, brinjal, tobacco, chilly, jack fruit, guava, papaya, cashew-nut, cotton, maize, pineapple, lemon and orange etc. Apart from the crops livestock (cattle, goat, local chicken and pig) rearing is also widely practiced in CHT and it is found one of popular options for the farmers for its good economic return and relatively easier management. Bangladesh Yearbook of Agricultural Statistics shows that 90% of all oranges, 63% of maize, 28% of till, 23% of ginger and 16% of turmeric marketed in Bangladesh originates from CHT. However, the bulk of other agricultural production is for subsistence and relatively small quantities enter the marketing channels.
Background:The experience of AFSP I demonstrated that the FFS approach is effective to increase agricultural production. However, marketing of the products remained challenging and as a result the farmers received relatively low return and ultimately they are not interested for higher volume of production – particularly in remote places. Remoteness and poor accessibility hampers perishable product marketing and therefore, farmers concentrate mainly on subsistence production. On the other, lack of entrepreneurial skills of the farmers and middle men domination in the market contributes to lower market price for the farmers. Apart from above mentioned marketing challenges small holdings and insecure land tenure also discourage big market actors or private investors to invest in CHT. As a result, the middle-man has a strong control in the market system and usually CHT agricultural products follow a long marketing-chain between the producer and consumer.
Given the challenges remain for marketing growth the CHT agriculture is potential for economic growth. The land is still fertile and proven for diversifying agricultural products. While a good quantity of plain land goes under water during summer the CHT summer vegetable has the strategic advantage. On the other, horticulture – particularly fruits production is growing up very quickly and many of the cases, the market direction has been reversed towards plains – while, the fruits used to come to CHT from outside. The road construction connecting the remote places and different infrastructure is growing up gradually which also helping for marketing growth in CHT.
Considering above situation, UNDP-CHTDF, through AFSP II project that aims to establish 1800 farmer field schools (FFS) in CHT and increasing agricultural production, has planned to work on agro product marketing which is expected to give more income to the rural farmers.
Objective of the Assignment/Service:
The objective of the consultancy is to develop a marketing strategy and identifying intervention areas for agriculture products – with a priority focus on FFS results/products. Specific objectives are:
•to identify marketing challenges for agriculture products in CHT and suggesting possible solutions or intervention areas;
•to explore the possibility or strategy of grouping the farmers for marketing and suggesting possible strategies for farmer groups;
•to develop a marketing intervention strategies with a detailed work plan and budget for the implementation of the agreed strategy.
Scope of Work:
Under the direct supervision of the Chief of CEP and with close collaboration with the Cluster Leader of CEP and AFSP II Officers the international consultant (where a national consultant will act as a mission member) will lead the mission and will develop strategy and key interventions for CHT agro product marketing. The Consultant will be based in Rangamati with required travels to Bandarban, Khagrachari and if necessary to Chittagong and Dhaka. The International Consultant will bring international expertise and in collaboration with the national consultant s/he will work on the designing of the study, conduct field works, different consultations, report writing etc. to accomplish the assignment.
Deliverables/Outputs of the Assignment:
•Submission of work plan (after document review and inception meeting with project staffs)
•Finalize the mission design and methodology with a detailed plan
•Develop different questionnaire for FGD, secondary data collection, group discussions, guide consultative meetings , Preparing the draft strategy based on inputs from team member derived from different level consultations and presentation to CHTDF-UNDP
•Finalization and submission of the strategy/report to CHTDF incorporating feedback from CHTDFTentative Payment Schedule:
•Submission of work plan (after document review and inception meetingTimeline-3 working days
Payment-20 % of total contract value
•Develop different questionnaire for FGD, secondary data collection, group discussions, guide consultative meetings , Preparing the draft strategy based on inputs from team member derived from different level consultations and presentation to CHTDF-UNDP
Timeline-15 working days
Payment-40 % of total contract value
•Finalization and submission of the strategy/report to CHTDF incorporating feedback from CHTDF
Timeline-7 working days
Payment-40 % of total contract value
Period of assignment/service:
Total 25 working days (excluding weekends and UN holidays) during a period of 2 months from signing the contract.
Inputs:
CHTDF will assist with financial support based on the financial proposal. All the required budget line will be submitted to the CHTDF accordingly.
•CHTDF will provide working space in its office.
•CHTDF will arrange security briefing for the consultants prior to field movement, arrange necessary security clearance and necessary logistics.
•Any travel related to works assigned will be arranged by CHTDF.
•Workshops/meetings/ FGDs etc. will be organized according to work plan submitted but CHTDF will borne this cost from the agreed budget with consultants.
•All inputs to carry out the survey will have to be financed by the contracted consultants.
•All other inputs including the laptop with necessary software packages to carry out the service will have to be borne by the consultant.
Requirements of the International Consultant:
The assignment will be carried out by the two member team – one national and one international consultants. The International Consultant will be the team leader and the National Consultant will act as a team member.
How to apply:
Proposal should be submitted at ebidbox-chtdf.bd@undp.org no later than 19th October, 2013.Proposal submitted to any other email address or location or submitted in hard copy shall not be considered.Email subject line should contain the reference number "IC-IN/2013-CHTDF04"Please refer to the attached IC Notice(including TOR), General Terms & Conditions(Annex ll) and the submission template (Annex lll). For detail evaluation criteria and proposal submission procedure please refer to the IC Notice.Incomplete proposals shall not be considered for evaluation.
