BSF Commercial Viability Assessment Expert – Agwenda

CONSULTANCY OPPORTUNITY

CASA PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

CASA is an FCDO – International Climate Finance (ICF) funded programme driving global investment for inclusive climate-resilient agri-food systems that increase smallholder incomes. CASA makes the case to impact and return-oriented investors for increased investment in agribusinesses that work with smallholder supply chains. The programme achieves this goal by:

• Demonstrating the commercial viability and investment-readiness of small and medium-sized (SME) agribusinesses with significant smallholder supply chains
• Helping investors to increase the impact of their investments through the provision of inclusive technical assistance
• Strengthening the socio-legal empowerment of smallholders within value chains
• Tackling the information and evidence gaps holding back investment

For demonstrating the commercial and development potential of smallholder sourcing models, CASA focuses on catalytic interventions in the agriculture sectors of Ethiopia, Malawi, Nepal and Rwanda that support agri-SMEs prepare for and secure investment while connecting smallholders to commercial markets.

CASA’s work on research and communications is structured around identifying constraints, opportunities and addressing evidence gaps through research; shaping the debate on smallholder agriculture to influence actions of investors, governments and donors; and creating networking opportunities through events and stakeholder engagement.

OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

In line with Activity 2 in the workplan and line 3.1 of the project budget the primary objective of this assignment is to provide technical support to Agwenda Investments Limited towards assessing the commercial viability of BSF maggots as an alternative and potentially low-cost protein source in poultry feed. The STTA will be required to assess the viability of using BSF maggots as an alternative protein source to soybean in poultry feed, conduct a cost-benefit analysis, particularly focusing on the following:

1. detailed analysis of the benefits in terms of cost saving while maintaining the same amount of productivity in chickens as would be the case with soya-based feed;
2. analysis of the improvements in productivity where maggots are offered as supplementary feed to free range chicken production systems;
3. evaluation of the incomes a farmer would earn if only producing and supplying maggots to other farms or a processor; and
4. based on findings make recommendations on viable options applicable to maggots use in poultry production at smallholder farm or feed processor level.

To ensure that a thorough analysis is delivered, the STTA is expected to use various sources of data. In addition to Agwenda’s own data collated during the on-going pilot, the expert is expected to source data from other available producers including farmers who use BSF as feed and triangulating these with data from existing literature or from studies conducted locally. It is expected that the assessment will focus on evaluating the viability for both own use and commercial use options and that the STTA will outline viable alternatives in both instances that will help Agwenda to decide what approach would be sustainable if promoted for business (commercial feed) purposes and/or adopted for local use at its own farm.

REQUIREMENTS and EXPERTISE

Key qualifications and field of expertise for the ideal expert are:

• A bachelor’s degree in business management, Agribusiness or in other closely relevant fields. Those with a master’s degree and/or an MBA qualification will have an added advantage.
• Demonstrated track-record in conducting product market research and product viability assessment.
• Practical experience in product development and assessing viability for market entry.
• Capacity to innovate and adapt knowledge in product commercial viability assessment from elsewhere to commercially oriented poultry production systems, incorporating the needs of smallholder farmers that will be involved in the proposed outgrower scheme.
• In-depth knowledge of current poultry feed regime and feeding trends and best practices.
• Sound understanding of cross-cutting ethical, environmental, gender and social inclusion issues impacting small-scale agri-enterprises will be an added advantage.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to make decisions regarding own work, often in ambiguous situations and suggest recommendations regarding own function/discipline; and
• Ability to function with minimum guidance and under pre-set procedures with attention to detail.

MODE OF APPLICATION

Interested candidates should send an Expression of Interest no more than 7 pages long broken down as follows;

1. A maximum of 1 page EOI submission letter providing an overview of the candidate’s suitability for the role and their preferred daily rate expressed in
2. A maximum of 3 pages outlining a proposed methodology according to their understanding of the assignment and its requirements.
3. A maximum of 3 pages Curriculum Vitae/Resume outlining only the relevant qualifications, experience and attributes for the role. Emphasis should be placed on similar consultancy assignments carried out by the candidate in the past 7 years.

Applications to be sent to rhch@niras.com with title of the position being applied for in the subject line by 15^th May 2024 – Late applications will not be accepted.

For more details Download the TORs using: ToRs Commercial viability Assessment expert-Agwenda Extension plan- Approved