REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES –FIRM SELECTION)
SMALLHOLDER AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT II
LOAN NO: P165228
CREDIT NO: IDA 64220-LS
ASSIGNMENT TITLE: MARKET INFORMATION AND FARMERS DATABASE SYSTEM
REFERENCE No.: LS- MAFS-252505 -CS- CQS
BACKGROUND
The Government of Lesotho (GoL) has acquired funds totaling $57 million from the International Development Association, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and the Japanese Policy and Human Resources Development (PHRD) Grant to finance the second phase of Smallholder Agricultural Development Project (SADP 2). The GoL intends to utilize part of the funds to finance the cost of developing and disseminating climate and agroweather information for improved decision making for smallholder farmers, value chain actors and other stakeholders targeted by the project.
SADP 2 supports a new paradigm shift that puts climate resilience, productivity, commercialization and nutrition at the core of agriculture growth in Lesotho.
The project seeks to: (i) introduce transformational changes in the agriculture sector by promoting solutions for agricultural productivity and resilience at farm and landscape levels; (ii) provide longer-term solutions at institutional level to ensure the sustainability of the outcomes achieved in the field; (iii) promote commercialization that would contribute to improved livelihoods; and (iv) promote better nutritional
outcomes towards improved human capital development. The project development objective of SADP 2 is to support the increased adoption of climate smart agricultural technologies in Lesotho’s agriculture, enhanced commercialization and improved dietary diversity among targeted beneficiaries.
The project will strengthen the existing Market Information System and Statistical database of farmers in the country. The project will work with the consult in financing the up-grade and improvement of this systems with the view of promoting and sharing actionable knowledge to the farmers. Through this initiative, farmers will know the market gaps, estimated number of farmers in a particular crop production, the
prices of the market and when exactly the commodity is highly in demand amongst other things. This type of information will inform the production plan of the farmer and enhance commercialization and resilience due to the fact that production is geared towards consumer needs as such, increasing profitability of the farmer.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the assignment or consultant includes upgrading the existing market information system in the country and expansion of the coverage of agricultural commodities and markets. Furthermore, the consultant is expected to segment and register farmers and other value chain stakeholders and digitization of agricultural statistics.
The Lesotho Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security invites eligible consultancy firms in providing the required services. Interested consultancy firms must provide information indicating that they are qualified and experienced to provide the services for which they are expressing their interest. Expression of interest should include the following which also constitutes the shortlisting criteria:
• Company profile including the name of the country where a firm is registered and field of speciliasation.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully completing four similar assignments. (Firms should include a brief description of most recent and relevant assignments (location, cost, client and staff involved).
• Experience in Marketing Information and database system
• Training of individuals or groups of people.
The consultancy firm will be selected in accordance with Consultants Qualification Selection Method (CQS method) set out in the procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers dated July 2016 and revised in November 2017 and August 2018.
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 3.14 to 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers dated July 2016 and revised in November 2017 and setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. Consultancies may
associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications. Where firms are associating, the submission must include verifiable evidence of association from all the parties.
Interested firms may obtain further information at the address below, during office hours: 09: 00hours to 12:00hours and 1430hours to 1600hours from Mondays to Fridays.
SUBMISSION
Expressions of interest must be submitted by email to the address below, on or before 14:00hrs local time June 27th 2022 clearly marked “Expression of Interest for Marketing Information and Farmers Database System.”
To: Project Director-SADP II
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security
Department of Livestock Services -Moshoeshoe 11
P.O. Box 24
Maseru 100 Lesotho.
Email: [email protected]
copied to [email protected]