Agriculture Policy Expert

Consultancy Service: "Assessment on Major Issues and Policy Recommendations in Rice Sub-sector"

POSITION TITLE: Agriculture Policy Expert         

LOCATION: Remote assignment or Kathmandu, Nepal

REPORTS TO: KISAN II Enabling Environment Director

1.  PROJECT BACKGROUND

USAID’s Feed the Future (FTF) Nepal Knowledge-based Integrated Sustainable Agriculture in Nepal (KISAN II) is operating in ten Hill and Terai districts in Lumbini, Bagmati, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces to increase resilience, inclusiveness and sustainability of income growth through agricultural development, working closely with the Government of Nepal (GON). KISAN II works with the private sector to catalyze agricultural productivity, promote competitive market systems, ensure conducive enabling environment, and boost business and literacy skills for households in its zones of influence (ZOI). KISAN II follows a market systems development approach to strengthen and improve agriculture sector, particularly rice, maize, vegetables, lentil and goats. 

2.  INTRODUCTION

Rice is a major cereal crop for food security, which is handicapped by several challenges and constraints that have led to ever-increasing annual rice imports in Nepal. In rice value chains, millers are a strategic actor that link input suppliers, rice farmers, rice aggregators, processors, and consumers, influencing the entire rice economy. In order to assess the status of rice milling industries - challenges requiring policy change or recommendation, USAID's KISAN II in collaboration with Association of Nepalese Rice, Oil, and Pulses Industry (ANROPI) conducted a "Landscape Analysis of Rice Milling Industries in Nepal" study in 2020. The study resulted in two major recommendations: 1) upgrade infrastructure and processing capacity of mills, and 2) increase fine rice varieties to reduce fine rice import/increase export. 

In fact, the rice economy suffers from many external and internal factors including import tariffs (for paddy/rice, equipment and spare parts), availability of improved seeds, lack of fertilizers, lack of extension services, old or sub-optimal irrigation facilities, need for upgraded milling technology, need for warehouse and drying facilities, and lack of incentives for private sector investment (including farmers and cooperatives), lack of subsidized financing for agriculture machineries (including spare parts and equipment), and implementation of minimum support price (MSP). To address these major issues, KISAN II aims to develop a brief policy report (maximum 20 pages), building on the recommendations of the landscape analysis and further assessing major issues toward making this sub-sector competitive. To this end, KISAN II announces this Terms of Reference (TOR) to conduct an assessment on major issues and policy recommendations to make the Nepal rice sub-sector (with a focus on fine rice) more competitive. 

3.  METHODOLOGY

The assessment will be done in-person following COVID-19 health protocols or virtually. The consultant will develop a questionnaire/checklist for stakeholder interviews/discussions with private sector actors in the rice value chains including millers, aggregators, traders, input suppliers, farmers, and government officers (federal, provincial and local level). Consultant will conduct a series of stakeholder interviews with major stakeholders and market players, carry out focus group discussion (FGD), review relevant literature (including plans, policies and reports), and prepare a recommendations.

4.  SCOPE OF WORK

4.1  Analyze rice sub-sector (with a focus on fine rice), identify major issues and challenges on rice value chains, particularly availability of inputs (including technology, seeds, fertilizer, machineries), production systems, post-harvest technology (drying, processing, packaging, storage/warehouse), efficient marketing systems, and government incentive support on taxation (rice, agriculture machineries, processing machines, and spare parts), MSP, financing, and insurance).

4.2  Derive policy recommendations addressing issues that would contribute to the promotion of the rice sub-sector, with an eye to reducing fine rice imports and increasing rice exports.

4.3  Develop a report on "An Assessment of Major Issues and Policy Recommendations in Rice Sub-sector".

5.  POSITION DESCRIPTION

The consultant will undertake an assessment of Nepal’s rice sub-sector. The focus of the assignment will be to identify systemic issues/constraints encountered by major value chain actors (including input suppliers, farmers, processors/millers, aggregators, other private sector) and recommend policies contributing to reduce rice imports, increase exports, and improve rice sub-sector in Nepal. 

6.  DELIVERABLES

1.  Submit inception report consisting of assessment methodology including questionnaire/checklist for stakeholder interview/discussion.

2.  Submit a report on "An Assessment of Major Issues and Policy Recommendations in Rice Sub-sector" (maximum 20 pages) in both English and Nepali.

3.  Give a presentation of the report to representatives of KISAN II, USAID, and MOALD.

7.  Timeline

8.  LEVEL OF EFFORT

30 working days over 3 months, ideally beginning March 1, 2022. Consultant is allowed to bill a 6-day work week.

9.  REPORTING

The consultant will report to KISAN II Enabling Environment Director.

10.  QUALIFICATION and SKILLS

1.  Master's level degree (PhD preferred) in agriculture, agricultural economics, agribusiness or related field.

2.  Minimum of 10 years of direct experience working in agriculture sector, in particular with proven experience in agriculture/rice sub-sector preferred.

3.  Proven experience in conducting agriculture policy related assessment or study.

4.  Excellent English and Nepali language skills and proven report writing ability.

11.  SELECTION CRITERIA AND WEIGHTAGE: 

Consultant will be selected based on the following weightage value for technical and financial proposal.

Application procedure:

Consultant should submit:

• A letter of interest, stating why you are suitable for the assignment.
• Propose daily gross rate along with copy of contract/agreement, or other proof of two latest assignments.  
• In case of need of official field visit outside Kathmandu Valley, transportation cost (travel, DSA, Accommodation) will be paid separately as per KISAN II norms.
• Updated CV. 
• PAN registration certificate (copy of VAT certificate is must if the total consultancy value exceeds or equal to NRs. 500,000).

Disclaimer:

Issuance of this notice does not obligate Winrock International to award a Consultancy Service, nor will Winrock International pay any costs associated with the preparation or submission of application. Furthermore, Winrock International reserves the right to reject any and all applications, if such action is considered to be in the best interest of Winrock International. The consultancy service is contingent upon donor approval.