INTRODUCTION

The USAID SUN TA Project supports the Government of Zambia’s Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN 2.0) program whose aim is to reduce stunting among children under the age of two. SUN TA works with the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock, Local Government, Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental protection and Community Development and Social Services structures from national to district and community levels. SUN TA is operating in 13 districts which are:  Mumbwa, Chibombo, Kabwe Kapiri, Mposhi, Kitwe, Ndola, Luwingu, Kasama, Mbala, Kaputa, Nchelenge, Mansa and Samfya.

The Agriculture and Livelihood component aims to increase reliable access to safe and nutritious food through nutrition-sensitive agriculture and financial inclusion. Access to safe and nutritious food is being achieved through production of diverse (nutrient-dense) vegetables, legumes, crops, and poultry at community and household levels using climate smart agriculture practices to sustainably address household food, income, and nutrition security.

OBJECTIVES

Scaling up nutrition Technical Assistant (SUN TA) through the Agriculture and Livelihood thematic area working in convergence with the WASH, Health and Nutrition, has the mandate to ensure the farmers supported through the project interventions have access to viable markets and actively engaged in trade to increase on their disposable income which will help them meet life’s basic needs including access to nutritious food. Access to good markets and trade will help build livelihood resilience directly enhancing reduction of stunting levels in children below the age of 2. Therefore, the objectives of this consultancy is to: assess the viable value chains, production skills and capacity, assess availability of the markets, opportunities for trade, develop and document clear guidelines, services and products that will increase farmer participation in profitable markets and trade

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CONSULTANT

In Zambia, the agriculture sector’s expansion is being hampered by lack of market access and small scale farmers are more disadvantaged due to standards regulations like Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS). The small scale farmers also have trouble entering in the home market because of lack of market intelligence, poor agriculture marketing system, lack of funding, insufficient extension services, lack of or inadequate infrastructure such as roads, dams, storage facilities, transit facilities, and irrigation methods, as well as poor pricing practices. To increase productivity, access to agricultural finance must be improved. In the context of significant returns on investment, farmers’ investment activities remain low when finance and insurance options are few. As such, access to finance is widely regarded as one of the major constraints to agricultural productivity especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The consultant will be required to comply with the technical specifications listed below in order to meet the objectives.

1.0   TARGET VALUE CHAIN IDENTIFICATION

• Identify key high value chains segmented in terms of importance in their contribution to the smallholder agriculture sector in Zambia
• Identify the value chains with the highest potential for development and scale up with a particular emphasis on the value chains across communities and those with joint interest for the women, youths and men producers
• Generate a shortlist of viable and technically feasible value chains in the target district using the set criteria of SUN TA.
• Map out target districts/areas suitable for optimal production of the identified crops

2.0  VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS

• Identify and map out the lead actors, their roles and influence, horizontal and vertical linkages of value chain actors.
• Develop a profile for the selected crop value chains with data on input supply, production, processing and information on local , district, provincial as well as national markets
• Analyze each proposed value chain in terms of projected inputs and production viability.
• Conduct an analysis of inputs delivery systems and recommend a strategy to position the project to ensure that the majority of intended beneficiaries meet its objectives
• Assess and map out active market players both off takers and input suppliers (NGOs, Implementing Partners, Private Sector companies) and other actors, who are readily available in the districts, relevant for the market and describe potential areas of synergies and cooperation with them.
• Identify the key value chain players for the respective crops including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of the value Chains.
• Identify key attributes in relation to the identified crops that farmers, processors and other off-takers are looking for and are unavailable currently in the market.
• Assess the resources, skills, and capacities of small scale farmers related to procurement of inputs and production of crops more prominent in Central province.
• Describe skills training needs related to potential roles of the smallholder producer associations in the value chains.
• Conduct cost-benefit analyses to enable documentation of economic benefits and market demand associated with deployment of appropriate improved technologies accessed by the project for use by farmers in Zambia.
• Evaluate the expected impact of the project in terms of increase in yields, income, improved welfare, trade and smallholder agriculture based benefits related to relevant project indicators.
• Make recommendation and upgrading strategies on the feasible value chains to be included in the intervention design of the SUN TA project.

3.0    MARKET ASSESSMENT / STRENGTHENING AND EXPANDING ACCESS TO MARKETS AND  TRADE.

• Identify and map out the major agricultural crop, horticultural crops and livestock opportunities with potential for market in the areas of SUN TA interventions.
• Understand the coping mechanisms and the current livelihoods practices of the target communities and recommend alternative approaches to diversified livelihood options.
• Understand and document the existing market situation and nature of bargain taking place between different market players.
• Identify and map out service providers (Government/Private sector) for products and services that will increase agriculture production and productivity for the SMEs.
• Identify relevant Producer Organizations and marketing models which includes value addition that SUN TA can adopt
• Identify and document existing active market information centers both online and online platforms.
• Identify and map out existing marketing centers (Bulking/Aggregation points) that will enhance access to viable markets.

4.0  ACCESS TO FINANCE AND FINANCIAL LITERACY.

• Identify and map out existing Financial Service Providers available for small scale farmers both from the Government and Private sector for financing products and illustrate how the Producer Organizations can be linked to them
• Identify and document the Financial Service Providers providing various insurance cover for the small and medium scale farmers.
• Generate and document viable guidelines and recommendations required in accessing these financial services.
• Assess and generate guidelines required to support financial literacy, business and entrepreneurship skills among smallholder farmers.

TIMEFRAME

• This is fourteen (14) days consultancy.

DELIVERABLE

• Submission of the final market analysis report to SUN TA with clear recommendations and guidelines with regard to the stated technical requirements.

The consultant will work closely under the guidance of the Technical Expert, Agriculture and Livelihoods

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES/SKILLS

• Masters in relevant academic field such as Agriculture, Economics, Agribusiness, Business Administration, or any related field of study
• Proven track record in conducting market analysis and trade with 5 years work evidence with stakeholders.
• Evidence of previous work in market analysis for small scale farmers of not less than 4 years