ToR: Conducting a Rapid Assessment on Irish Potato Value Chain Development in Rwanda, with emphasis on the main gaps and challenges faced by the Smallholder Farmers

1. Introduction

IMBARAGA is a Non-governmental National Farmers Organization that works with small-scale farmers to improve the socio-economic conditions of more than 32,400 members located in 26 out of 30 districts throughout the country. It is structured from the village to the national level and governed by the vision stated as “A professional farmer, changemaker and the trigger of development”.

In collaboration with EAFF (Eastern Africa farmers’ Federation), IMBARAGA is implementing the project entitled “FO4ACP” whose goal is to increase the incomes and improve the livelihoods, food and nutrition security and safety of organized smallholder farmers by strengthening national and local farmers’ organizations (FOs). In this program, great emphasis is put on economic service delivery, advocacy and institutional development of the membership-based FOs.

FO4ACP project benefitted from the financial support of EU-IFAD and has a key role of promoting the recognition of smallholder farmers’ interests and rights and providing services to their members to engage on better terms with other economic players in agricultural value chains.

2. Assignment

For this purpose, IMBARAGA would like to hire a consulting firm or an individual consultant to carry out a rapid assessment on the “ Main gaps and challenges faced by the smallholder farmers active in Irish Potato Value Chain development in Rwanda” in four (4) districts of Rwanda with some of them covered by FO4ACP project through which issues have been raised by the farmers during training sessions, study trips and the “Potato week, 5^th edition 2022”; this latter was a regional learning event held in Musanze district in relation to access to improved seeds and fertilizers, access to financial services and markets among others, hindering Irish potato value chain in the sub-region of the Great Lakes.

During the research process, data will be collected in relation to the input supply (seed production, certification and distribution) highlighting the existing opportunities and key challenges to be addressed by all the stakeholders involved in the whole value chain development (from seed multiplication to the ware potatoes selling at the markets) with focus on gender equity and social inclusion (women and young people); highlighting key challenges faced and proposing clear recommendations for future concrete action to be done by the Rwandan Government (MINAGRI, and MINICOM, etc.) and other strategic actors such as the CSOs and CBOs, the Farmers’ organizations and the Private Sector in Rwanda.

3. Objectives of the Assignment

The overall objective of the consultancy is to generate evidence that supports advocacy work to influence Government institutions for creating enabling environment and providing investment facilities and incentives (access to finance, subsidies, insurance, certification, research for development ;..) to the existing potato seed multipliers, producers and sellers or traders operating in the Northern and Western Province of Rwanda so that they can perform better in networking, producing, aggregating and marketing sufficient quantities, and of good quality, of seeds and ware potatoes to be delivered to the final consumers’ (at the local and national levels) and become more autonomous and business oriented.

Specifically, the study is designed to achieve the following objectives:

• Identify all existing key actors involved in potato value chain development (from seed production, certification, distribution) and ware potatoes production and trading throughout the country;
• Identify farmers’ needs and expectations from other key stakeholders such as the Government, the COS vs CBOs, the Farmers’ Organizations, Financial institutions and Research organizations;
• Conduct SWOT analysis vs Business Model Canvas exercise (BMC) in order to have a clear image of what they are and need in terms of institutional development, access to financial services and enabling environment;
• Generate information that supports linkages of all stakeholders in the value chain meaning the analysis of relationships and networks existing between the “public- private partnerships” and CSOs/ Farmers organizations;
• Come up with an advocacy strategy drawn from the desk review and points of views of the key potato players involved in the potato value chain development in Rwanda.

4. Scope of work

The consultant is expected to:

• Undertake a literature review on Irish potato seeds value chain development in Rwanda (seeds selection, production, certification and supply);
• Analyze the local context and opportunities for smallholder farmers to access good quality seeds through the existing channels (RAB, SPF-Ikigega, Seed multipliers, farmer groups and Coops) across the districts covered by the study;
• Identify the main challenges that hamper the provision and availability of good quality seeds and the coping mechanisms and strategies adopted by the farmers themselves;
• Collect relevant information from key actors and other service providers operating at the districts level such as the Universities, the private companies (SOPYRWA), farmer cooperatives, local NGOs, etc.;
• Provide actionable recommendations based on the main findings of the study which will be carried out in targeted four (4) districts of Rwanda.

5. Approach

The consultant/firm is expected to undertake desktop research and visit relevant institutions to collect more information on the subject of concern. The consultant/firm is required to use participatory, consultative and inclusive approaches to ensure that all key stakeholders are actively involved during the process of this study. The consultant/firm will also require close consultations with IMBARAGA technical team and leaders to ensure ownership and collective responsibility.

6. Expected deliverables

• Prepare and present a detailed methodology and work plan during the technical offer including; data collection and analysis techniques and methods, triangulation approaches and sampling methods;
• Well-designed tools for quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis;
• An inception report detailing the proposed methodology, identified stakeholders active in potato value chain, and key informants;
• A presentation of report findings to Imbaraga organization for discussions, comments and inputs;
• A final report incorporating comments to be presented both in soft and two (2) hard copies.

7. Assignment duration and management arrangements

The duration of assignment is maximum of 21 calendar days from the date of signing the contract. Any changes should be discussed with Imbaraga leaders within the first two (2) weeks after signing of the contract.

The draft report should be available no later than the 21^st day after contract signing. The final document should be ready by the 30^th day. The consultant/firm will work directly under supervision of the Secretary General of Imbaraga with technical oversight of the Head of Programs.

8. Minimum desired qualification and competencies

The assignment will be carried out by an individual consultant or consulting firm, who/which will be hired by Imbaraga Organization, based on its tender policy. An individual consultant or consulting firm will be able to perform all the tasks outlined in the key deliverables section above.

The minimum expected qualification and experience desired to conduct this study are detailed below:

• An individual consultant or multidisciplinary consulting firm with demonstrable experience in Qualitative & Quantitative researches, data analysis and reporting;
• The Lead Consultant should hold at least a Master’s degree or Bachelor’s degree in relevant field like agri-food systems, Agronomy, Crop production, Rural Development or related field of study for independent consultant or 2 senior consultants from consultancy firm;
• At least five (5) years of professional working experience in conducting research in agriculture sector;
• Strong experiences in using advanced data analysis and visualization techniques and methods;
• Excellent command of English, both spoken and written; and knowledge of Kinyarwanda will be added value;
• Excellent report writing techniques and communication skills.

• Criteria of selection:

The selection will mainly be based on the following elements:

• Relevance of the proposed approach and methodology;
• Qualification and experience in carrying out similar works;
• Working calendar and detailed financial proposal.

• How to apply?

Interested candidates are required to submit the following documents:

• A technical proposal should outline an indicative methodology (sampling methodology and techniques for sample size calculation, data collection, and analysis techniques), timeline, and delivery dates and proofs of previous similar work experience, detailed CVs; and an application letter including contact information of references;
• A financial proposal quoted in Rwandan Francs (Rwf).

All bids need to be addressed to the Legal Representative and submitted to IMBARAGA Head Office (KK18 Av214, Rubilizi Road, P.O.Box 1462 Kigali- Rwanda) on the 14^th May, 2024 at 3:00 pm, with immediate opening. Only the bids fulfilling the requirements will be accepted.

Done at Kigali, on the 2^nd May, 2024

Approved by:

MUNYAKAZI Jean Paul,

Legal Representative