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

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

1.  PROJECT BACKGROUND

USAID’s Feed the Future (FTF) Nepal Knowledge-based Integrated Sustainable Agriculture in Nepal (KISAN II) is operating in eight Hill and Terai districts in Lumbini, 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 and ensure conducive enabling environment for households in its zones of influence (ZOI). 

KISAN II is a seven-year project that contributes to the Government of Nepal (GON)’s Agricultural Development Strategy (ADS). KISAN II facilitates systemic change in the agricultural sector, including: (1) greater climate-smart intensification of staple crops and diversification into higher value commodities; (2) strengthening of local market systems to support more competitive and resilient value chains and agricultural-related businesses; and (3) improving the enabling environment for agricultural and market systems development. As part of a 24-month supplemental scope (extension), KISAN II is supporting the GON’s response to the impact of COVID-19 in agriculture and is promoting transformation in the rice and maize sub-sectors.

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 Request for Proposal (RFP) 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 and lead focus group discussion (FGD) in Kathmandu, Sudurpaschim and Lumbini province, review relevant literature (including plans, policies and reports), and prepare the 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. CONSULTANT DESCRIPTION AND QUALIFICATIONS

The consultant with estimated 30 days level of effort, 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. Specific qualification of the consultant are:

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.

6.  DELIVERABLES

1.  Submit inception report consisting of assessment methodology including questionnaire/checklist for stakeholder interview and focus group discussion within 15 days of agreement.

2.  Conduct an assessment and submit a report on "An Assessment of Major Issues and Policy Recommendations in Rice Sub-sector" (maximum 20 pages) in both English and Nepali within 2 months.

3.  Give a presentation of the report to representatives of KISAN II, USAID, and MOALD within 15 days.

7.  AGREEMENT DURATION: The Agreement duration will be of maximum three months period.

8.  REPORTING: The Agency will report to KISAN II Enabling Environment Director.

9.  SELECTION CRITERIA AND WEIGHTAGE: 

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

Application procedure:

Agency should submit:

• Technical Proposal (maximum 10 pages)
• Financial Proposal: Please refer Annex 1: Budget/Cost estimate format.  
• For official field visit outside Kathmandu Valley, transportation cost (travel, DSA, Accommodation) will be paid separately as per KISAN II norms 
• CV of Lead Consultant
• Agency registration documents with renewal, if applicable
• VAT registration certificate
• Latest audit report and tax clearance certificate 
• Any other relevant document/s

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.

1.  Annex A: Budget/Cost Estimate Format