TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR TRAINING OF 60 WOMEN ON FODDER PRODUCTION AND PRESERVATION TECHNIQUES – El-Afweyn, Somaliland

 

Date: 18/01/2021

TERMS OF REFERENCE

TRAINING OF 60 WOMEN ON FODDER PRODUCTION AND PRESERVATION TECHNIQUES

BACKGROUND and INTRODUCTION

More than 90% of Somaliland’s agriculture is rain-fed or without a supplementary irrigation system. The grassing land is often dry due to poor rainfall and widespread erosion. Indigenous pasture is usually out of stock, and livestock has no forage during the dry season. Due to frequent cyclic drought, invasive erosion as a result of overgrazing, deforestation and the absence of rangeland management strategies and policies which are not in place, the pastoralist communities in Sanaag and Sool regions exposed to high level of vulnerability to shocks and climate related stressors.

To prevent recurrent drought and mitigate its impact, a drought-tolerant fodder species will be introduced and experiment in two villages of El-Afweyn district (Badhigalis & Bixin). Recommended fodder trials will be applied to Brachiaria Mullato II and bluepanicum grass in combination with local fodder varieties.

In Somaliland, many dry tolerant fodder species were also tested; however, the two selected species are blue panicum (Panicum antidotale), and Brachiaria brizantha, Brachiaria ruziziensis. Some of these species were already introduced in Somaliland. For example, the bluepanicum was experimented by the MoA and it showed impressive results whereas the Brachiaria Mullato II experiemented by the ministry of livestock and fishery and the trails were very successful. Based on these lessons of the two research trials of the proposed drought tolerant fodder seeds will be applied in El-Afweyn district to mitigate the fodder shortage at times of dry seasons and even during drought.

As part of SomRep-SDC project in El-Afweyn district, Oxfam in collaboration with ministry of livestock and fishery will establish two demo sites to apply the recommended animal feeds. Each demo site will register 30 women who will attend training on fodder production techniques. 30 women will be registered per village who will under 10 days training followed by 2 months periodic supervision, coaching and mentoring activity.

Before distributing the seed, women beneficiaries will be trained in the production system. The trainees participate in all the activities and field demonstrations including land preparation, plotting, seeding, weeding, pest control, harvest, and storage.

The successful varieties will be replicated to other farms in Bixin, and Badhigalis. The 60 trained women from Bixin, and Badhigalis will be given the seeds of the selected varieties. Each women will receive 1.24 kg of the successful seed varieties to cultivate an area of 0.25ha (2500m2). The training will be conducted at the village level preferably in the demo sites. women will receive refreshments but no money for attending.

Women are required to purchase agriculture tools including shovels, hoes, and mattocks. Oxfam will not distribute additional tools and this is recognized as a community contribution. Therefore, interested women fodder producers ready for training and have mobilized their hand tools will be prioritized in this activity.

Oxfam will recruit a qualified consultant who have prior experience in fodder production. The consultant will be selected on the of meritocracy and the experience he/she has in this field.

OBJECTIVE

• Train 60 women on fodder production techniques
• Establish two demo sites for fodder production trials and should demonstrate various experiments to increase fodder production.
• Develop appropriate training modules/materials that fit for women with low literacy levels
• Teach women the various skills of fodder production and preservation techniques as well as mechanisms of fodder processing, marketing and value chain analysis

Methodology of the training

The training consultant is required to follow below training methodology

• Participatory methods involving practical field demonstrations will be used in order to make it easier for women to understand the sessions as there is very little number that can read or write.
• Enabling environment that allows women to discuss relevant issue, raise concerns
• Brainstorming
• Group discussion and presentations

Scope of Work

This fodder production training will take place at field level (two agropastoral villages will be targeted) under El-Afweyn district. The training covers different topics of fodder production techniques, processing, marketing and value chain analysis(check: Expected outcome)

Expected outcome

• Trained women who have the capacity and skills to engage fodder production practices.
• Women familiarized different concepts and methods of production including value chain analysis
• Detailed training report showing the impact of the training on community livelihoods in particular for women fodder production practices.
• Develop curriculum and appropriate training module and materials useful for the fodder production training.
• The consultant is also required to develop comprehensive business plans for targeted women groups to maximize fodder production profit.
• Conduct training on fodder production and storage as lead Trainer
• Provide training on identification of most appropriate fodder species for the locality in El-Afweyn district.
• Provide training on improved approaches to production, harvesting, processing and storage techniques.
• Provide training on fodder storage and preservation technology such as silage.

DURATION

The duration of the assignment is 30 days including traveling, field training days and reporting. The training days is not sequential but the 30 days are divided into three months to complete the various stages of fodder production and preservation work. The consultant will visit the field on interval basis to monitor the performance and outcome of the fodder species in the respective demo sites.

QUALIFICATION

• Graduate in agronomy or Master degree on related field is preferable
• At least 9 years’ experience in fodder production and preservation technologies
• Proven experience in delivering project objectives in a context of similar scope. Sample of previous similar assignment carried out is required.
• Knowledge of an operating context is an added value

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applicants should submit detailed technical proposal to SOM-Consultancies@oxfam.org by February 1^st with the following;

• Brief CV for lead consultant along with a succinct rationale of how the consultant meet the requirements ( technical and financial proposal including 6% government taxes) Firm profile would be added advantage
• Proposed brief work plan for how the work will be undertaken
• Sample of previous similar work undertaken
• Indicative budget including daily rates in USD
• Minimum three reference from previous clients (name, professional email, phone ect)
• Confirmation of availability to undertake this work, including field visits in the project sites under Eil-Afweyn district

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview