MESPT-DMDP-05-2022: Taveta Banana Value Chain Assessment Consultancy

https://mespt.org/tender-opportunities/

Objective of Baseline Study

The objective of the value chain assessment is to assess the status of the banana value chain/business in Taveta Sub County with respect to key parameters that influence the business cases for particularly the banana producer (farmer) , the aggregator, and the processor under the DMDP project and by extension support the consortium partners to infuse validated recommendations from the assessment in their undertakings for enhanced efficiencies, partnership, and impact.

Most specifically the assessment is seeking an experienced business analyst with value chain analysis/assessment skills and knowledge to gather and analyse current information on key banana value chain/ business parametrises, create knowledge on their implications to the DMDP project and recommend key actions that need to be taken towards ensuring viable business cases for the primary actors.

Scope of work.

Reporting to the Programme Manager, the consultant’s scope of work will be as follows: –

• Hold strategic meetings and interviews with the consortium partners.
• Collect/review, and analyse important data related to the project and the banana value chain in Taveta sub county.
• Conduct an end-to-end review/assessment of banana value chain processes and provide/create an understanding of the current situation of the banana value chain in Taveta Sub County. Some of the key aspects that the assessment should capture include but are not limited to prevailing market prices, main buyers, grading system, trending banana varieties and reasons, preferred complementary crops and reasons, banana estimates getting to waste & value, and the significance of the targeted organic farming
• Citing out key assumptions and considering different scenarios, undertake gross margin analysis of the banana value chain (with special focus to grand naine variety), determine break-even point(s) and payback period for the banana producer.
• Prepare graphs, charts and any other relevant ratios/values clearly demonstrating necessary actions that need to be considered by the consortium partners towards resolving any identified issues/concerns.
• Prepare and present report(s) to MESPT and consortium partners clearly showing options available to the primary actors of the banana value chain for optimization of their respective business cases.
• Develop a monitoring and evaluation mechanism for the consortium to track progress as may be necessary and provide remote support for their implementation.

Specific activities

Most specifically the consultant will undertake the following.

• Review relevant documents related to the DMDP project.
• Undertake inception interviews with the consortium partners.
• Prepare an inception report which will include a detailed evaluation methodology, sampling approach, assessment tools and a work schedule with clear timelines.
• Coordinate actual data collection process which will mainly involve interviews with key stakeholders and actors along the banana value chain.
• Analyze and interpret data.
• Prepare draft report.
  • • Present the draft value chain assessment report (key findings and recommendations) to MESPT and consortium partners for validation.
      – Provide remote support to the consortium partners on the implementation of validated recommendations.
• Share/submit the final report

Some of the key questions that the assessment seeks to answer

1. The prevailing average prices and the key factors influencing pricing.
2. The average production costs and the main cost contributors/drivers.
3. The breakeven point and available options to increase efficiencies and optimize profitability by the banana producer.
4. Relevance of the targeted small holder farmer considering the project’s ambitions/ targets and recommendations on the same.
5. Common grading method and the estimated percentages of banana volumes attributable to each.
6. The estimated percentage of banana that do not find their way to the market (off grade) and the price/value the farmers will be willing to get for the same.
7. Relevance of the WAG model that had been proposed for the project and recommendations.
8. Major considerations by the consortium to ensure that the commercial and development objectives of the project are achieved.
9. Key considerations/ recommendations for the ongoing organic farming cluster/ambition.
10. Preferred complementary crops and their significance to improved incomes within a banana orchard.

Methodology/ Approach

It’s recommended that participatory approach is employed and adopted for this process however the consultant is expected to provide a methodology clearly demonstrating how the work will be carried on. This will be part of the factors that will be considered when evaluating prospective bidders.

Qualifications and competencies

Expected profile of the consultant

The consultant will have the following minimum qualifications:

• The consultant is expected to have a minimum master’s qualification in Finance , Business administration, Strategic Management, Agribusiness Management, Project Management and/or their equivalent.
• The consultant must have practical business analysis experience of not less than five years, around private sector development
• The consultant must have strong business analysis and business comprehension skills (economics and business statistics), good understanding of sustainable development issues including green economic growth.
• The consultant must have the relevant accreditations in the discipline.
• The consultant must provide verifiable proof of previous similar engagements.
• Demonstrated experience/engagement in agriculture value chain development projects working with farmer groups
• Knowledge and experience of the Danida/ DMDP System.
• Excellent communication, interview and report writing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver quality results within strict deadlines.