Development and Implementation of a Training Handbook on Cassava Farming

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A TRAINING HANDBOOK ON CASSAVA FARMING AS A BUSINESS FOR THE CASSAVA MECHANISATION AND AGROPROCESSING PROJECT (CAMAP)

1.  Introduction and Background

The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) is a not-for-profit foundation that is designed to facilitate public-private partnerships for the access and delivery of appropriate technologies to the resource-limited smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Its mission is food security and poverty reduction, and its structure and operations draw upon the best practices and resources of both the public and private sectors in linking the needs of resource-poor farmers with potential technological solutions. It facilitates partnerships and networks that link food security, poverty reduction, market development and economic growth in ways that change the conventional approaches employed by African producers engaged in agri-business, to make these activities sustainable overtime.

Currently, based on priority activities identified through a demand-driven process, AATF is implementing a project aimed at mechanising cassava production and agroprocessing in Africa called Cassava Mechanisation and Agroprocessing Project (CAMAP).

2.  About the project

One of the key constraints to cassava production in Africa is mechanisation or appropriate production and processing tools. Africa is the world’s largest cassava producing region and accounts for nearly 55% of the world’s cassava output despite the fact that Cassava yields in Africa are the lowest in the world (10 tonnes per hectare compared to 26 tonnes per hectare in India). The problem is that market opportunities for cassava in Africa are limited compared to other cassava producing regions of the world.

AATF aims at developing systematic pathways for cassava mechanisation and agro-processing that can transform the cassava sector in SSA. It aims to promote farmers choice of equipment suited to their needs within a sustainable delivery and support system. The strategy also covers importation and domestic manufacture/ fabrication of tools, equipment and machinery, their repair and maintenance, relevant training and extension programs, and promotion of financing systems for the purchase the machinery.

The goal of the Cassava Mechanisation and Agro-processing Project (CAMAP) is to enhance the contribution of cassava production and processing technologies to sustainable improvements in food security, incomes and livelihoods of farmers, processors, and marketers in the cassava sector. This will be achieved through upgrading and expanding traditional planting, harvesting and processing techniques that will contribute to development of competitive cassava commodity value chains for a reliable supply of processed products for food and non-food industrial use.

3.  Objectives of the consultancy

In order to inculcate the culture of commercial farming, AATF is looking for two consultants (Zambia and Nigeria) to assist in development of a farmer training module on farming as a business and conducting trainings for field extension officers to act as ToTs and supervise the training of all the project beneficiaries in the two pilot countries (Nigeria and Zambia). Specifically the training module should include:

• Best agronomic practices for cassava production (planting, varieties, weeding, use of herbicides, disease detection, fertiliser application, harvesting)

• Mechanisation in cassava production and processing Working with service providers and partners

• Value addition in agricultural commodities with special reference to cassava Entrepreneurship skills and basic business principles

• Marketing and access to market information Farm records and book keeping
• Farmer based organisations leadership and management

4. Main tasks for this assignment

 •  Develop a training handbook on farming as a business covering all the areas outlined in (3) above with clear and easy to understand illustrations and templates for use by farmers/ beneficiaries
• Translate the handbook into the local languages
• Conduct a training of trainers workshop for extension officers
•  Supervise training for all the project beneficiaries

5. Expected Outputs

•  A draft training manual to be submitted for inputs and comments before field implementation.
• A final training handbook (not more than 50 pages) excluding annexes.
• A detailed training of trainers report.
• A detailed farmer/ beneficiary training report.

6. Qualifications

• The consultancy team should comprise the following:

o The lead consultant should possess a minimum of masters degree in agribusiness management, agricultural economics or any other related field.

o  The  principal  assistant  should  be  an  agronomist  with  wide  experience  in cassava production issues.

• Good understanding and clear knowledge of agriculture and agribusiness in the African setting in with a bias to cassava.

• Extensive experience in designing farmer based training materials and conducting of onsite farmer training workshops.

•  Ability to communicate and write clearly in the local languages will be an added advantage.

• High degree of independence, flexibility and ability to meet strict deadlines. Excellent communication and writing skills.

7.  Application criteria

Interested consultancy firms should submit detailed technical and financial proposals covering:

• Capacity statement and a detailed profile

• Demonstrated understanding of the terms of reference Proposed methodology

• A detailed work plan

• A detailed financial proposal CVs of the consultants,

• Electronic copies of two recently concluded similar assignments

• Two reference letters from recent clients with contact details of the referees.

8.  Time Plan

The assignment is scheduled to begin in November 2013. Applications from prospective consultants should be received not later than 31th October 2013. The definitive timeframe and organisations will be agreed within the assignment.

Send applications to the undersigned:

Mr. George T. Marechera,

Business Development Manager,

African Agricultural Technology Foundation,

P.O. Box 30709, 00100 Nairobi

E-mail: g.marechera@aatf-africa.org