Agricultural Advisory in SDC-5

Terms of Reference Agricultural Advisory Facilitator

Background

The Federal Republic of Somalia is characterized by arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), with biannual rainfall seasons, i.e. Deyr and Gu seasonal rains. Somalia is also prone to harsh climatic conditions of extreme droughts, erratic rain and floods. These extremities have over time slowed down the entire rural livelihoods and economic opportunities from primary production. This situation is also compounded by dependency on rain fed agriculture which predisposes crop and animal production to the mercies of nature. Global Climate Change and Variability, if left unabated, could lead to disruption of progress toward a world without hunger[1] . For countries like Somalia that are already experiencing dire consequences of vagaries of weather, there is a high probability of continued quick slump into extreme hunger and famine.

Additionally, Poor Gu 2019 rainfall resulted in the lowest cereal harvest since 1995, including the pre-famine Gu harvest of 2011[2]. Due to the extended impacts of the poor 2019 Gu season rainfall and previous droughts, in the absence of assistance, more wide spread deterioration to Crisis (IPC Phase 3) is anticipated[3]. Furthermore, below average Gu seasonal rainfall was characterized by poor temporal and spatial distribution. Agro-pastoralists livelihoods are largely dependent on either irrigation or rainfall, unfortunately, the rainfall situation in Somalia is unpredictable and unreliable; there are either heavy rains that results in flooding and destruction of property or are much erratic, below average, spatially distributed and does not appropriately support production. In some cases, early cessation results into impaired pasture regeneration and poor crop performance and water scarcity for domestic use. With these, the question then is; ‘how can farmers make the most of the limited and/or uncertain rainfall pattern to support crop production to maturity’.

The need for agricultural advisory becomes a necessity in light of the prevailing recurrent droughts, the lack of research and extension services in agriculture, lack of government presence, and consequent deterioration of the flood control and poor irrigation especially in the Southern regions. These have for example, severely reduced crop production. Also, the prevalent inappropriate farming techniques that are poorly timed and low in productivity, have been associated with the absence of extension and research services[4]. Technology in agricultural production could be enhanced by establishment and expansion of effective advisory services, which needs to be put in place and strengthened by government institutions, with assistance from the donor community and civil society.

Introduction SomReP aims to equip agricultural producers with the real-time climatic information to allow them to make risk informed decision regarding their livelihood with the aim of enhancing food security and promoting economic growth. Towards this aim, SomReP is implementing an innovative Agricultural Advisory approach approach in Somalia that had already been field-tested in Ethiopia and Kenya (the Agricultural Advisory), that agricultural producers receive real time weather and climate information and services Just before the start of the agricultural season, a simple two-page document- highlighting project weather conditions for the next productive season and recommendations to best exploit these conditions will be develop, shared with farmer and pastoralist groups and promoted by key persons in government, prominent producers and others involved in the value-chain. Apart from providing farmers and pastoralists with information to help them prepare for the next growing season, the information provided is meant to catalyze the entire value chain, helping all value actors to prepare for the next season’s projected output. SomReP proposed to pilot this action for the upcoming Gu Rainy season that have been started on October 2018. **

The main aim of the advisory being to equip producers with real-time climatic information to facilitate risk-informed decision making regarding their livelihood with the goal of enhancing food security and promoting economic growth. Apart from providing farmers and pastoralists with information to help them prepare for the next growing season, the information provided would essentially catalyse the entire value chain, helping all actors to prepare for the next season’s projected output.

Therefore, the advisory information should be made available in September 2020 to allow actors to prepare for the projected seasonal performance.

Objective: SomReP aims to partner with Climate Center, To produce and provide real-time climatic
information useful all actors in the Agriculture value chains in forms which are most relevant to the target groups (farmers, pastoralists, middle-value chain actors, etc (Crops/Livestock).

Primary Data Collection Methodologies

Extensive primary data collection will be required using Rapid rural appraisal (RRA) of information & current situation and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) of the key informants in the target areas.

Rapid rural appraisal (RRA) of information & current situation

As gleaned from the pilot, teams developing the Deyr advisory ran a rapid rural appraisal (RRA) which took a two-pronged approach including both demand and provider sides. The advisory engaged both farmers and pastoralists (the demand side) as well as service providers i.e line ministries, SomRep, agro-dealers representatives and NGOs. The RRA was undertaken with a view to understanding any important developments post the pilot advisory, prevailing climate information conditions and any potential facilitators and or inhibitors of agricultural advisory going forward.

The RRA took the form of Focus group discussions (FGDs) and Key informant interviews (KII) conducted using developed guides and checklists (Annex 5). Given the veracity of information that was required from the respondents and the envisaged high-level engagement with top government officials, the FGDs and the KIIs were moderated by lead consultants from Savana Consulting with assistance from two note takers.

The RRAs were conducted in the villages of Awadinle, Bula keero and Lewile of Baidoa district in SWS. Each village had one FGD. An additional FGD was conducted with SomRep consortium representatives and Agro-dealers. The FGDs deliberations were augmented by information from KII sessions with ministry of agriculture and livestock officials as well as agro-dealers. FGDs and KII Participants were recruited purposively.

For village FGDs, participants included representatives of the committees formed by SomRep for farmers and pastoralists to share or for the transfer of knowledge. Others included; Members of Disaster management committees, Oxen plough, farmer groups, apiculture, store keeping groups and agro-dealers. The Agro-dealers were members of traders of agricultural inputs, products and agrochemicals (vet chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides) who were closely working with SomRep NGOs. Finally, the SomRep FGD was composed of technical implementers of SomRep program activities.

Scope of work

The consultant will be required to coordinate a field based primary and secondary data collection in selected at Baidoa and Afgoye districts of the southwest state, analyses the data and produce and provide real-time climatic information useful all actors in the Agriculture value chains in forms which are most relevant to the target groups (farmers, pastoralists, middle-value chain actors, etc (Crops/Livestock).

1. Leveraging traditional weather prediction techniques embedded in target settings could bolster advisory efforts given that producers already identified and easily appreciated the predictive probabilities of such techniques.
2. Assessment/monitoring of information reception, uptake and utilization will be key to formulating the advisory and selecting appropriate/preferred media outlets ad placement timelines.
3. Translation of the advisory into local languages is a highly important aspect of the advisory formulation.
4. There is merit in public private partnership for success of the advisory.
5. Leveraging the experiences gained from the pilot, SomRep and the partners implemented a more robust second wave of the advisory during Dyer season of 2019. Deyr advisory implementation is discussed in the next section.

Required Deliverables **

· Gather and document relevant climatic information from FSNU/FEWs Net, National Climate information and alerts center, Early Warning Committees to guide the development the advisory bulletin.

· Ensure primary data collection using Rapid rural appraisal (RRA) of information & current situation and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) of the key informants in the target areas.

· Consult and Coordination with Ministry of Agriculture at Federal and Southwest State levels to Plan an event and organize media to promulgate advisory.

· Coordinate with the SomReP Regional Management Unit (RMU), headed by Southern Operations focal point, for the printing of materials, cost associated with media event and organizing of small training on how to message the Advisory.

· Translation of Advisory into relevant Somali language (May dialect);

· Print the advisory in relevant languages for dissemination to target audiences

· Prepare mini-training for SomReP and Ministry of Agriculture members on how to communicate
advisory to producers and other value-chain actors, implement training with SomReP members.

· Organize a media official launch of the Agriculture Advisory in South West State with MOA & other stakeholders.

· Facilitating government, media, and other actors to help in dissemination of vital information through various mediums.

· Invite the media houses/platforms to cover the official launching or press release of the
Agricultural advisory.

1. Consultancy time-frame

The consultancy assignment will take about 20 days and consists (Field based data collection coordination), secondary data collection, training and dissemination.

Starting 3^rd of September 2020.

2. Consultant’s profile

This consultancy assignment requires a multi-disciplinary approach of experienced consultant with:

a) Master degree or above on Natural resource management, agriculture or relevant industries.

b) A minimum Bachelor’s degree in communication, information management, marketing, climate change, education and related field;

c) A minimum of 5 years’ experience in undertaking related assignment;

d) Strategy development and implementation including climate information and related services;

e) Research/surveys / user needs assessments / feasibility studies

f) Stakeholder mapping, engagement and outreach

g) Facilitation of workshops and training

h) experience and familiarity with participatory methodologies;

i) experience of working with international and non-government organizations;

j) Ability to network and engage with stakeholders in post-conflict settings.

3. Expression of Interest

k) Up to date CV

l) Up to three-page statement of capability (referencing the selection criteria) and the approach to be take in undertaking this assignment

m) Financial proposal

[2] FSNAU Technical brief, October 2019

[3] FSNAU Technical brief, October 2019

[4]Somalia 2018: Rebuilding Resilience and Sustainable Agriculture