Agricultural Production Consultant at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD)

The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) received a loan from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) towards the cost of the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), and intends to use part of the proceed towards carrying out various consultancy and non consultancy service activities.

The VCDP hereby invites eligible/qualified individual consultants to express interest in offering the services below:

Job Title: Agricultural Production Consultant

Locations: Abuja, Enugu, Nasarrawa or Kogi

Programme Summary

• The VCDP is an investment programme presently being implemented in the six states of Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Ogun, Niger and Taraba. Three additional states of Kogi, Nasarrawa and Enugu are to further participate in the programme.

The programme includes the following components:

• Agricultural Market Development which includes Support to value addition and market linkages, Support to market infrastructure):
• Small Holders Production Enhancement which includes (Support to farmers organization and Support to small holders production) and
• Programme Management and Coordination.

The VCDP intends to expand/ update her data base of individual consultants. Eligible individual consultants are invited to indicate interest in working for the programme at any off:

• National Programme Management Unit, Abuja
• Enugu State Programme Management Unit, Enugu
• Nasarrawa State Programme Management Unit, Keffi.
• Kogi State Programme Management Unit, Lokoja

Programme Objective and Target
The Programme’s objective is that the incomes and food security of poor rural households engaged in production, processing and marketing of rice and cassava in the Programme Area are enhanced on a sustainable basis.

The primary target groups are:

• Poor rural households engaged in the cassava and rice value chains (VCs) who cultivate not more than 5 hectares of land under rice/cassava); and
• Small-scale processors (processing capacity of an average of 2 MT/day for cassava and 4 MT/day for rice) and traders, with emphasis on women and youth.

The secondary target groups include:

• Downstream stakeholders, particularly processors Linked to a large number of the primary target groups;
• Local government councils (LGAs) and communities strengthened to sustainably manage the marketing infrastructures supported by the Programme; and
• Private sector operators strengthened to provide quality services demanded by smallholder farmers and processors.

Specific Task in this Area Include

• Assist in organizing field-days and annual cross-visits among farmer groups to facilitate exchange of experiences and best practices among farmers;
• Assist in the monitor and assessment of mechanisms (procedures) of production, supply and distribution of certified rice seeds and improved cassava cuttings production in the programme areas;
• Provide technical support in the design and implementation of a sound seed sub-sector action plan by strengthening the FOs’ capacity for the production of certified Rice seeds in the programme area. This will also involve the implementation of activities pertaining to, promoting and disseminating of quality seed to producers;
• Undertake appropriate capacity building programmes for farmers’ groups, state seed & quality control officers in germination and viability testing;
• Provide support in the establishment and effective management of Farmers Business Schools/Farmers Field School to promptly and adequately address various incidental field production challenges and experiences in Rice and Cassava production;
• Support the programme to establish farmer-managed demonstration (demo) plots to promote sustainable and improved agricultural technologies/practices and follow-up services to the FOs;
• Ensure that the all production and extension-service delivery programmes and activities are satisfactorily executed with particular reference to the technical agronomic requirements to meet the demands of the identified processors and industrial-end users.

Qualification and Experience

• These individual consultants and experts or professionals must have strong capabilities as Agronomists, Soil Scientists, Extension Specialists with strong Entrepreneurial Skills and Degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics and other related fields.

The requisite qualifications of the Individual Consultant shall include the following:

• A Post Graduate degree in Agriculture/Field Crop Production/Agronomy (Or Related Fields). Holders of PhD degree in relevant fields will be an added advantage;
• Must have demonstrated ten (10) years minimum work experience in Field Crop Production/Agribusiness/Value Chain Development
• Should have sound knowledge of Agricultural Extension Service Delivery System
• Should have proven track record in Communication/Training Skills; and have the competence to interact with farmers and other locals in their rural environments;
• Must be skilled in the use of Computers

Criteria for Evaluation
The Following criteria will be used in evaluating the individual consultants:

• General-Education, Qualification, Membership of Professional bodies
• Specific Experience related to assignment
• Participation in similar assignments in IFAD and other donor projects
• Adequate knowledge of the terrain/environment.
• Eligible Individual Consultants should submit their detailed curriculum vitae with covering letter indicating area of interest.

Application Closing Date
12pm; 18th September, 2019.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should submit two hard copies (by hand or post) of their Expression of Interest (EOI) in sealed envelopes with the interested area of specialization clearly marked on the top left-hand corner of the envelope. This submission should be addressed to the undersigned at the stipulated addresses below:
The National Programme Coordinator,
FGNIIFAD Value Chain Development Programme,
4, Batna Close, Off Agadez Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
OR
Office of the Permanent Secretary,
Enugu State Ministry of Agriculture, Enugu.
OR
Office of the Permanent Secretary,
Nassarrawa State Ministry of Agriculture, Nassarrawa
OR
Office of the Permanent Secretary,
Kogi State Ministry of Agriculture, Lokoja.