Terms Of Reference For The Consultancy Services On Technical Support On Climate Smart Farming Practices.

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE CONSULTANCY SERVICES ON TECHNICAL SUPPORT ON CLIMATE SMART FARMING PRACTICES.

1. INTRODUCTION

SOS Children’s Villages Somalia (SOS Somalia) is part of SOS Children’s Villages International, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that is non-profit, non-sectarian, non-partisan and has been in existence since 1985 in Somalia. Currently, SOS Somalia manages one Village, a kindergarten, a primary school and secondary school in Mogadishu. In addition, SOS also manages Family Strengthening, youth economic and employment development, Emergency, Health, GBV/CP protections and Nutrition programme in Banadir, Hirshabelle state and South state of Somalia.

The last two years, SOS Somalia has been expanding its geographical areas and core business to promote and strengthen endeavours to contribute to the achievement of organization target SDGs and to the situation that every child in Somalia develops within a caring family environment to his/her full potential as a self-supporting and contributing member of society. To achieve these goals, the association works through a programmatic approach geared towards Family Strengthening, Alternative Care, Youth Development and employment, emergency program and economic Development programmes.

SOS Somalia is currently implementing a “Climate Smart farming project” in Baidoa, south west state of Somalia. The project aims to support vulnerable communities in setting up climate smart farms, essentially by using the hydroponic farming method. Initially SOS invests into community training on the hydroponic systems and supports the adaption of this innovative farming practices in the area. The project aims to address the gaps in food security by increasing productivity and family incomes. On this background SOS intends to solicit the services of technical consultant or consultancy firm to provide technical expertise during the project start-up-phase including the provision of training and technical support in the field.

1. BACKGROUND

Agriculture is an important economic activity in Somalia not only in terms of meeting the food needs of the population but also in terms of generating income through crop sales and agricultural labor opportunities for the local population. However, in recent decades, agriculture has increasingly been affected by climate variability including fragile and degraded natural environment and more frequent and severe cycles of drought and floods which have led to the abandonment of farming areas and hence an overall decline in agricultural activities and production has increased.

Drought intensity and occurrence have increased, and the vulnerable Somali communities bears the brunt of its consequences including hunger, environmental damage, scarce economic opportunities and social instability. Agriculture, in particular, is a sector that used to supports 40% of the Somali population’s primary livelihoods, but currently suffering from persistent droughts. Likewise, water scarcity and population growth dually affect food security to an increasing degree. With predictions of more adverse impacts of climate change, these effects will become more acute on the livelihoods of people, communities, food security and the ability of ecosystem services to fulfil their purposes.

In view of these challenges, SOS Somalia plan to correspond on SOS 2030 strategy and SDGS mission to combat climate changes through implementing sustainable climate smart green projects in Somalia. These include a focus on innovative models to support food security and nutrition needs of the target communities in Somalia through provision of knowledge and information on up-to-date farming practice and the introduction of new techniques such as climate-smart and cost-efficient eco agriculture systems.

Based on this background, SOS Somalia in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture of the Federal Government of Somalia focus on innovative climate smart Agriculture that provides an opportunity that sustainably increases agricultural productions and income and builds resilience of agricultural system to climate changes impacts. Therefore, SOS Somalia is seeking a suitable firm/consultancy with the relevant experience and know-how in hydroponic/climate smart farming technology to provide trainings and capacity building on establishment of climate smart modern methods of farming and animal feeding production powered by hydroponics and plant responsive technologies.

1. PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY

The specific objectives of this consultancy are:

• Improve the farmer’s knowledge on climate smart farming and improve local food production through knowledge transfer.
• Address the current pressing climate change challenges of agricultural production.
• Recommend the best type of hydroponics and suitable vegetables for hydroponic farming.

1. SCOPE OF THE CONSULTANCY

The main task of this consultancy is to provide technical guidance and support for the effective establishment and implementation of climate smart farming in Baidoa.  This shall include

• Training and provision of technical expertise and skills to 20 youth in the set-up and sustainable running of hydroponic farms Including local installation, establishment, hydroponic theory and practical skills including operation and management of hydroponic farms in the target location.
• Carry out a rapid feasibility study to determine the viability of hydroponic farming in the target location.
• Carry out identification of the relevance and availability of local materials for establishing hydroponic farming.
• Provide technical expertise in identifications of the necessary inputs in the establishment of different types of hydroponic farming technology for fodder, vegetables and crop production using climate smart farming technology.
• Provide support in the identification and propagation of suitable seeds.

1. EXPECTED CONSULTANCY DELIVERABLES
2. Undertake comprehensive Technical Hydroponic Assessment: Provision of a report that outlines the types of interventions, services and activities that are feasible within the planned innovative climate smart farming project and are in the best interest of the target group. The assessment will also include technical sites evaluations, such as checking the suitability of the water and soil testing.
3. 2. Hydroponic Expert Training: Train 40 project participants, among them youth and caregivers, to achieve and enhanced level of understanding of hydroponic farming establishment and management, so that with their skills and knowledge they become local hydroponic experts.
4. 3. Establish 20 productive non-circular hydroponic farms, 4 Responsive drip irrigation farming system: Provide technical skills and knowledge in the establishment of hydroponic farming technology to the selected project beneficiaries.
5. Final Training Report: The final report (max. 25 pages, excluding the preliminary pages and annexes), will contain a short executive summary (max. 3 pages) and a main body of the report covering the background of the hydroponic farming interventions, limitations, findings, conclusions, best practices and recommendations.
6. METHODOLOGY

The consultancy firm is expected to layout the ground foundation by carrying out technical assessment and training. The consultant will apply different and suitable approaches including practical and participatory and functional action-oriented practical solutions.

Technical expertise on hydroponic farming will inform the technical processes and will be applied as per the deemed relevant by the consultant.

1. DURATION OF THE CONSULTANCY

The proposed assignment is anticipated to take a duration of 4 months and if necessary the duration of assignment can be adjusted depending progress delays or other external factors impacting the work.