REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
Southern Africa Regional Development and Business Delivery Office (RDGS)
African Development Bank, 339 Witch-Hazel Avenue, Highveld Extension 78, Centurion
Agriculture, Industry and Human Development Division (RDGS.2)
E-mail : m.legodi@afdb.org Telephone : +27 120036900 Ext 8626
Expressions of interest are being requested for an individual Consultant – Agri-Business Specialist/Value Chain Expert
Brief description of the Assignment : To lead a study team to assess the potential of the non-sugar agricultural sub-sector in Mauritius.
Department issuing the request : Southern African Regional Development and Business Delivery Office
Place of assignment : Mauritius
Duration of the assignment : 1 December 2019 – 30 February 2020
Tentative Date of commencement : 1 December, 2019
Detailed Terms of reference for the assignment : [detailed TORs attached]
Deadline for applications : 8 November 2019
Applications to be submitted to : m.legodi@afdb.org and t.munyatso@afdb.org
Any questions and requests for clarifications may be sent to : w.odhiambo@afdb.org c.ezedinma@afdb.org
Consultant Agri-business Specialist/Vale Chain Expert
Terms of Reference :
- BACKGROUND
Although the agricultural sector represents less than 4% of Mauritius’ GDP, the sector is a critical driver of the socio-economic development in the country. The sector employs 7.3% of the total workforce and occupies about 44% of the arable land. The sugar sector, which contributes 18% of agriculture GDP, has over the years, played key multi-functional and ecological roles since its introduction and establishment in Mauritius and has had major stimulus in the economic development of the country. The non-sugar sector, which contributes 40% of agriculture’s share to GDP, covers approximately 8,600 hectares and supports an estimated 8000 smallholder farmers, 375 hydroponic producers and a few corporate farmers. The main non-sugar commodities include vegetables, fruits, ornamentals, livestock and poultry.
The sugar industry in Mauritius has faced significant challenges because of the sharp decrease in the world price for sugar, rising cost of production and a substantial drop in productivity. Despite the implementation of Government led strategies and investments in activities related to field and factory modernization, value addition and revenue diversification, the industry is suffering from a loss of cane lands, in particular those belonging to the small and medium planters. Consequently, the Government of Mauritius has prioritized the need to diversify the agriculture sector by supporting the non-sugar sector while taking advantage of the land being released from the sugar sector and recent technological advances in agriculture.
There are several challenges and opportunities in the non-sugar sector in Mauritius. These include insufficient local production of basic items leading to high imports (over 70% of the food requirement are imported), the small size of plots and limited land resources, high use of pesticides, limited agro-processing, climate change and the aging population of farmers in the country. These challenges provide opportunities for enhancing production and productivity especially through the use of modern technologies and innovation, value addition, import substitution and shifting to climate smart agricultural practices.
The Government of Mauritius priorities for the non-sugar sector are outlined in the Strategic Plan for Food Crops, Livestock and Forestry Sectors (2016-2020). The overall goal of the plan is to improve food security, food quality and safety and to promote a more sustainable agriculture. The objectives are: (i) increasing productivity of high quality strategic crops to enhance food self-sufficiency; (ii) encourage farmers, particular youth and women to engage in agribusiness activities; (iii) promote sustainable production systems and organic farming, and (iv) encourage export of horticultural produce. As part of the plan, the Government of Mauritius is rolling out programs aimed at modernizing agricultural production, shifting to sustainable production systems, mechanization and improved access to input. Other measures have included development and support of agripreneurs, diversification into high value commodities such as macadamia, coffee and tea and the development of value chain through PPPs and regional agri-business development projects.
To support the Government of Mauritius in further developing the non-sugar sector, the African Development Bank, with its partners, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) office in Mauritius, the Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (FAREI) and the Economic Development Board (EDB), have identified the need for an analytical study to take stock of the recent developments in the non-sugar sector in Mauritius and make recommendations on approaches for further developing the sector. This will be Phase I of the intended support and will be wholly supported by the Bank. Phase II will entail detailed designs of activities for financing. The Bank therefore wishes to procure the services of experienced individual consultants to carry out Phase I activities.
- OBJECTIVE
The purpose of these terms of reference is to invite proposals from Individual Consultants with the technical and other relevant expertise to assist the Bank and its partners in the following :
- Map and assess the Government of Mauritius’ current approaches towards supporting the non-sugar sector ;
- Recommend best approaches to improve the non-sugar sector in Mauritius and identify specific projects and programmes that the Bank and partners could support to enhance the development of the sector.
- SCOPE OF WORK
The scope of work will involve the mapping and assessment of ongoing and planned activities by the Government of Mauritius, the private sector and other actors in the non-sugar sector and making recommendations for improvement going forward. The Team of Consultants will work closely with the Ministry of Agro-Industry & Food Security, Ministry of Business Enterprises & Cooperatives and other relevant institutions to carry out this assignment.
The scope of work is presented in two parts – Mapping and assessment and recommendations and way forward.
Mapping and assessment :
The aim is to document the status and prospects of the non-sugar sector (including food crops, fruits and livestock) in Mauritius. This will cover, but not limited to, the following activities :
- State of play in the non-sugar sub-sector : Analysis of trends in production and productivity, coverage, actors, inputs and technologies used, R&D, access to capital, markets, exports/imports, share in agriculture GDP, post-harvest losses or food wastage; standards and certification, value addition, private sector involvement; linkages with other sectors of the economy such as industry and tourism, opportunities and constraints and the policy and institution framework. The objective here is to point out the potentials and opportunities of the non-sugar sector in Mauritius ;
- Identification and assessment of specific policy based interventions by Government, including incentives to create a conducive environment for private sector investment ;
- Elaboration of the role and effectiveness of the service providing institutions and the private sector including an assessment of capacity needs; identification of training areas for staff and entrepreneurs; analysis of the scope and potential of PPP in the sub-sector ;
- Value chain analysis : A meso-level network analysis of the main actors, processes and patterns. This should cover regional and international trade aspects. A schematic representation of the value chains will be an important output for this task; Assessment of the country’s involvement in regional production and trade, including trade agreements ;
- Value addition : Value addition in the non-sugar sector is critical for tapping into the export market and as a means of reducing food loss and waste. Focus here will be on (i) analysis of the main value added products, technologies used, quality standards and markets; (ii) taking stock of the enterprises involved in value addition including agro-processing, the sources of the materials and technology used; (iii) identification of new potential regional and international markets including identifying the sanitary and technical requirements for those market; (iv) carry out a preliminary assessment of the viability of Special Agro Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) in Mauritius ;
- Based on experiences from the textile industry in Mauritius, assess the competivie advantage in value addition to imported agricultural raw materials in the domestic and regional/international markets ;
- High-tech agriculture and use of digital solution: Examine the potential for the development of a high-tech agricultural sector for the production of quality vegetables and fruits for local and export markets; explore current use and potential for ICT and digital solutions in agricultural value chains; market information systems ;
- Transition to ecological farming : An examination of current activities in the country to promote ecological farming, including the challenges and prospects; analysis of pesticide use in the country; consumer patterns of bio-foods; bio-production protocols and bio-farming zones; capacity needs for bio-farming; incentives for producers ;
- Assessing the extent and effectiveness of on-gong activities in the non-sugar sub-sector in addressing issues related to (i) skills and technology development; (ii) youth unemployment; and (iii) gender mainstreaming.
Recommendations and the way forward :
- Based on the foregoing analysis, the Consultants will make specific recommendations and propose activities that are necessary in taking the non-sugar sector in Mauritius to the next level. Recommendations will cover, but no limited to, the following categories ;
- Policy and legislative reforms for creating an enabling environment for the development the agro-industrial sector, including the non-sugar sector in Mauritius ;
- Institutional reforms ;
- Incentives for private sector, young agri-preneurs and women ;
- Capacity needs; areas for training ;
- Potential new crops/commodities and value-added products; potential regional and international markets ;
- The Consultants will also be expected to identify activities in the sub-sector, which can be financed. For each activity identified, the Consultants will prepare a project brief which will be annexed to the main report. The Brief will include the following ;
- Project rationale and objectives ;
- Project description ;
- Potential beneficiaries/coverage ;
- Estimated project costs ;
- Potential partners (including private sector).
- REQUIRED OUTPUT
The main deliverable for this Consultancy shall be a final report on the findings and recommendation for the development of the non-sugar sub-sector in Mauritius, which will include an Executive Summary, the report’s body and Annexes. The following will be annexed to the main report :
- The scope of the review and the process followed (methodology, information and data sources; supporting and reference documentation; etc.) ;
- Schematic representation of the main value chains in the country, with the actors, mechanisms and market channels in the country and outside ;
- Briefs of identified activities/project that can potentially be financed in the country as outlined in section 3 above.
- SKILLS AND EXPERINCE REQUIRED
The Team of Consultants will comprise of two senior and highly experienced experts. The experts should have both the skills and experience necessary to undertake the range of tasks set out in this Terms of Reference. Each Consultant must be personally available to do the work as and when required to do so. The Lead Consultant will be held accountable, in terms of the Contract, for ensuring Project deliverables, and professional conduct and integrity of the team.
The Consultants will be experts with the skills and experience in the field of agricultural economics; public-private partnerships; project preparation and appraisal; enterprise development youth employment and digital agriculture. The team should demonstrate extensive experience that includes knowledge of the sector, regulatory issues involved and the initiatives taken by the Government for the development of the non-sugar sub-sector.
The key staff minimum skills and experience required are as follows :
| No. | Key Staff | Expertise Required |
| 1. | Agri-business Specialist/Value | • A PHD in Economics, Agri-business or |
| Chain Expert and Team Leader | equivalent from a recognised University. | |
| • A minimum of ten (15) years of relevant | ||
| experience related to rural business development, | ||
| agriculture Sector, and marketing, competitiveness | ||
| and value chain analysis in developing countries and | ||
| developed countries. | ||
| • At least five (5) similar assignments related to the | ||
| preparation, formulation and development of | ||
| Agriculture involved businesses within the last five | ||
| (5) years. | ||
| • Past relevant work experience in Mauritius would be | ||
| considered a significant advantage. | ||
| 2. | Agricultural/Development | • A minimum of a Master’s Degree in Agricultural |
| Policy Expert | Economist, Agricultural Development or related field. | |
| • At least fifteen (15) years of demonstrated experience | ||
| in agricultural sector analysis, design and | ||
| implementation of agricultural project in African | ||
| countries; policy and institutional analysis | ||
| • Past relevant work experience in Mauritius would be | ||
| considered a significant advantage. | ||
Individual team members will be required to be personally involved in all relevant phases of the assignment/services to be delivered in the contract.
- REMUNERATION SCHEDULE AND DISBURSEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
The remuneration of the consultants will be payable in US dollars on a fixed lump sum basis (i.e. the total cost of the assignment including fees and reimbursable expenses shall be fixed) payable on completion and approval of specific deliverables by the Bank. The Bank will cater for travel expenses as per the Bank’s Travel Policy. The remuneration shall be payable according to the following schedule, which includes the time frame for each deliverable from the date of commencement of the particular phase of the assignment.
Final Report
| Deliverable – Submission and Approval of: | % payable | Time frame * |
| Inception Report | 10% | 2 weeks |
| Stakeholder kick- off/commissioning meeting | 20% | 1 weeks |
| Draft Study report | 40% | 6 weeks |
| Final Study Report | 30% | 3 weeks |
| Total | 100% | 10 Weeks |
*Commencement date will be agreed during the kick-off/commissioning meeting.
Note : Timeframe does not include duration for approvals.
Deliverables completed per the remuneration schedule will be reviewed and approved by the Bank, after which invoices may be submitted for payment as per the remuneration schedule. The Bank will pay within 30 days of receiving the invoice.
- DATA, LOCAL SERVICES, PERSONNEL, AND FACILITIES
The Bank will provide relevant information available to the assignment. The Consultants will make their own arrangements for administration and other support services.
The Ministry of Agro-industry & Food Security will provide introductory letters to relevant government departments and institutions to facilitate interaction of the Consultant with the key stakeholders.
- DURATION
The study is expected to be completed within a period of 12 weeks. The Consultant will provide a programme of activities for the duration assignment.
- REPORTING
The consultants shall report to Regional Sector Manager RDGS and Manager, Rural Infrastructure Development. Day-to-day management of the consultancy shall be assured by Task Team Managers namely Walter ODHIAMBO and Chukwuma EZEDINMA of the African Development Bank. The Consultant will submit Interim Reports each two weeks (or such other time period as may be agreed) describing progress of work, updated work schedule, and any key constraints encountered in the performance of the activities. All correspondence will be addressed to : w.odhiambo@afdb.org and c.ezedinma@afdb.org and copied to t.monyatso@afdb.org
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