Ethiopia: Landscaping & Scoping Analysis of Seed & Forage Systems and Animal Feed

Mar 19, 2022 | Catholic Relief Services
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CRS Ethiopia seeks a consultancy firm to determine the immediate and mid- to long-term seed systems, forage seed system and animal feed priorities. The analysis will determine which forage crops to focus on immediately, identify new or refine already identified stakeholders who are in urgent need, and answer the following questions: What kind of adjustment are needed for the training content S34D's is developing? Where is the training needed highest? In which geographies should S34D start with the densification pilot sites?

Overview S340

The Feed the Future Global Supporting Seed Systems for Development activity (S34D) is a five-year Leader with Associates Cooperative Agreement Award, funded by Feed the Future through the Bureau of Resilience and Food Security (RFS) and by USAID through the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA). Catholic Relief Services is leading this consortium with the support of a team of Consortium Partners: the Alliance for Bioversity International and CJAT (ABC), the Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA), Opportunity International (01), and Agri Experience (AE). S34D's Life of Activity (LOA) runs from August 2018 through August 2023. The overarching goal of S34D is to improve the functioning of national seed sectors in an inclusive manner in our focus countries. The activity aims to meet its goals by increasing the capacity of each of the seed systems to sustainably offer quality, affordable seeds of a range of crops (Objective I) and increasing collaboration and coordination among all seed systems actors and actions (Objective 2). This integrated approach is further strengthened by cross-cutting IRs that seek to improve policies and practices that support pluralistic seed systems, rather than focusing on ndividual parts of each system. The current activity focuses on the intersection of formal and informal seed systems.

Background:

Due to the conflict and drought, USAID Ethiopia is reassessing its priorities. While the mission will conduct its own assessment, USAID Ethiopia and S34D agreed to pause some of the approved S34D FY22 activities and have S34D conduct a landscape and scoping analysis of seed system, forage seed system and animal feed in Ethiopia.

Description of Work:

The goal of this work is to determine the immediate and mid- to long-term seed systems, forage seed system and animal feed priorities. The analysis will determine which forage crops to focus on immediately, identify new or refine already identified stakeholders who are in urgent need, and answer the following questions: What kind of adjustment are needed for the training content S34D's is developing? Where is the training needed highest? In which geographies should S34D start with the densification pilot sites?

For the seed system landscape and scoping, S34D would like to collect information that elaborates on the following:

  • Which parts of the seed value chain got disturbed due to the conflict which part got disturbed due to Covid and which part due to the drought?
  • Which stakeholders and beneficiaries were affected? How? Exact geospatial locations with local agroecological context, as well as, value-chain players (both public and private) will need to be mapped out. Special attention will need to be paid on market linkages and capacities that may have gotten disrupted during the last two years.
  • Which initiatives will create jobs and opportunities for the youth and employ women and marginalized population? For the forage system landscape and scoping, S34D would like to collect information that clarifies the following:
    • How has the conflict, Covid and drought affected the forage seed system?
    • Is land available for forage crops at the moment, or have forage crops been put on the back burners while food crops are prioritized?
    • Where are the forage crops still grown? Which actors are involved, land under acreage, water supply, etc. Exact geospatial locations with local agroecological context, as well as, value chain players (both public and private) will need to be mapped out. Special attention will need to be paid on market linkages and capacities that may have gotten disrupted during the last two years.
    • Given the multiple crises, have farmers changed the nature of forage grown or the changed the preferred forages? E.g., dual purpose crops rather than improved grasses? For the animal feed landscape and scoping, S34D would like to collect information that answers the following:
  • How is the livestock sector responding to the current challenges?
  • How did the feed industry cope with the current challenges?
  • Has the condition of animals changed? If so how and where are these animals?
  • What has happened to the feed?
  • What is happening with the livestock output markets, e.g. commercial dairy farming, feed lots, animal processing facilities? Exact geospatial locations with local agroecological context, as well as, value-chain players (both public and private) will need to be mapped out. Special attention will need to be paid on market linkages and capacities that may have gotten disrupted during the last two years.
  • Which quarantine stations are operating? Which ones are not and why not?
  • What is the situation of the feed supply to these operational quarantine stations?
  • What has been the animal mortality in this conflict, covid, drought?
  • How was livestock affected? Which part of the value chain was most affected?
  • I 0. Were people('s livelihoods) affected?
  • The seed systems, forage seed system and animal feed landscape and scoping analysis needs to: Answer the questions in this SOW.
    • Provide a description of the nature of the disruption.
    • Provide detailed options for sites to be selected as pilots for a) cultivation of forages
    • and b) densification of forages into pellets
  • Propose solutions for reinstating livelihoods and sustainable growth for short-, medium- and long term.

Period of Performance: from March till June 2022; starting as soon as possible. Maximum 45 billable days.

Payment Methodology:

First payment after deliverables I, 2 and 3 have been completed and approved, second payment after deliverables 4, 5 and 6 have been completed and approved and final payment after deliverable 7 has been completed and approved.

Note: Cost for Logistics such as ground transport and per diems will be discussed prior to finalizing the contract. CRS Ethiopia country program might be involved in organizing the ground transport and S34D will use CRS Ethiopia country program per diem rates. A fix amount for refreshments for in-person meetings during site visits will be negotiated at time of contract signing.

Requirements/Qualifications:

  • Master's degree in economics, Sustainable Livestock Production and Sustainable Bioeconomy, or another equivalent quantitative field. * At least 15 years' experience working in seed systems, forages and animal feed in Ethiopia.
  • Established track-record of conducting assessments in Ethiopia in the livestock sector and forage seed systems with excellent network with both public and private entities Demonstrated experience in leading assessments and conducting Key Informant Interviews (KIi) and Focus Group Discussions (FGD).
  • Field experience in Ethiopia, working with national and regional governments, pastoral communities and partners.
  • Solid understanding of Ethiopia's livestock, animal feed and forage seed systems challenges.
  • Superb collaboration skills to work with a diverse set of partners, especially with Ethiopian stakeholders.
  • Must demonstrate national expertise and leadership. Excellent communication in English and a local
    vernacular. Must be an Ethiopian citizen.

How to apply

https://www.crs.org/about/bid-opportunity Please visit the CRS website for the full scope of work and attachment.

Application procedure:

For consideration of this Scope of Work. submit the following information to S34D@crs.ore by 21 March, 2022: Current Curriculum Vitae, which specifically addresses the points in the requirements above and three

Section 1. Instructions of bidders

The bid / proposal MUST include all the following information. Failure to include all the required information may be considered non-responsive and may result in the disqualification of the Bidder.

  • Interested bidders are expected to fulfill the requirements stated here below. A valid and renewed Business License for the sector Tax Identification Number (TIN) and Value Added Tax (VAT) Certificates.
  • Bids marked as:
Open Tender No. CRS-SC-2022-07Provide for Landscape and scoping analysis of seed system, forage seed system and animal feed in Ethiopia in the post-conflict eraSwaziland St. Gulele Sub-city, Enkulal Fabrica,P.O. Box 6592,Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
  • Please sign and rubber stamp your quotation before sending the document. The scanned copy of the technical and financial documents should be sent through email to S34D@crs.org with the subject line TENDER No. CRS-SC-2022-0?before March 21, 2022 3:00PM Eastern Time.
  • Bids received after the closing date and time will be automatically rejected.
  • Bidders are seriously advised to read and comply with the instructions provided in this bidding document.
  • CRS Ethiopia reserves the right to reject all or parts of this bid.