CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
CONCEPT NOTE
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY IN THE PRODUCTION AND SUPPLY OF HATCHING EGGS AND DAY-OLD-CHICKS IN THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO
Issuance Date: 18 November 2024
Closing Date: 17 January 2025
Land O’Lakes Venture37 (Venture37), through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) financed Sustainable Transformation of Enterprises in the Poultry Sector (STEPS) project, invites qualified, experienced, resourced, and interested poultry firms to submit concept notes to facilitate their scoping viability study and subsequent business plan to invest in poultry parent stock and related infrastructure to supply the Lesotho poultry industry with Hatching Eggs (HE) and Day Old Chicks (DOC). The STEPS project will select one or more qualifying firm to conduct a scoping and viability study, providing up to 50% cost-share to a maximum pre-determined ceiling.
The poultry industry in Lesotho plays an outsized role in the population’s nutrition, livelihoods and food security. The demand for foods of animal origin, dominated by poultry products, continues to expand with population growth, increasing average incomes, and adoption of protein rich diets. While investments in poultry egg and meat production continues to grow, the industry faces several challenges. One such key barrier to growth is availability of quality and affordable Hatching Eggs, Day Old Chicks, and Point of Lay Pullets.
A concerted public-private effort is underway to fully realize the sectors potential and address the increasing demand for poultry product. This includes development of supportive policies and initiatives aimed at boosting partnerships, adoption of efficient technologies and investments in poultry production, processing, and consumption.
Firms must demonstrate relevant experience in parent stock flock management, supply of hatching eggs and day-old-chicks; proven, consistent and reliable access to parent stock; capacity to potentially commit relevant investment impactful at national level; ability to cost-share cost of scoping viability and business study.
To receive a full copy of the request, including application instructions, interested parties should email STEPS at [email protected]. Final concepts must be received by or before January 17, 2025, as instructed in the full scope of work.
NOTE: Land O’Lakes Venture37 and partners reserve the right to accept or reject/cancel or reissue this RFP without assigning any reason. Only shortlisted proposals will be contacted.