Team: Programs | Commitment: Consulting | Location: The Republic of Georgia
STTA: Lettuce Production
Background:
The USAID Agriculture Program is a five-year activity that aims to accelerate growth of agricultural sub-sectors that demonstrate strong potential to create jobs and increase micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) revenues. The USAID Agriculture Program plans to deliver firm-level investment and tailor-made technical assistance to entrepreneurial, market-driven enterprises, production clusters and supporting associations and service/information/extension providers to foster inclusive and sustainable market systems development.
The USAID Agriculture Program provides competitive cost-shared grants and technical assistance to address identified gaps in targeted value chains (VCs) that will result in the improved productivity and productive capacity of MSMEs, strengthened value chain linkages, increased access to markets, and improved capacity of MSMEs, cooperatives, associations and service/information/extension providers.
A comprehensive sector selection and value chain analysis conducted by the USAID Agriculture Program in early PY1, as well as subsequent series of meetings and roundtable discussions held with primary producers revealed that the lack of knowledge of modern production technologies remains to be key impediment to achieving higher yields and quality produce within the selected VCs. Therefore, finding a lack of understanding, as well as implementation of modern production technologies, to be a primary factor, the Program planned to allocate resources and engage local and/or international consultants who will introduce farmers and agribusinesses to improved production practices.
Meanwhile, in order to support growth of productivity of crops deemed priorities for both local and export markets, the USAID Agriculture Program has identified farmers and lead agribusinesses in strategic locations who are willing to establish knowledge plots, showcase new varieties and agricultural best-practices, and share their experiences with other farmers in the community. By organizing field days at these locations, a large number of farmers will obtain new knowledge and essential technical and practical information. Trainings will be delivered as a series of one-to-two day field-based education sessions, incorporating both, theoretical and practical aspects of crop production.
In line with above mentioned, the USAID Agriculture Program plans to utilize expertise of international consultants, to provide targeted beneficiaries – lettuce producers, with tailored consultancies, thereby helping them improve operations and adopt best practices.
Objective:
The purpose of this assignment is to disseminate knowledge of modern lettuce production technologies and practices among the wider circle of primary producers, to help them achieve increased yields and improved crop quality, thereby strengthening primary production part of culinary herbs VC.
Principle Duties and Responsibilities:
Under this scope of work, the Consultant shall work closely with the USAID Agriculture Program’s value chain specialist and technical assistance team to perform the following tasks:
· Deliver 2-days field-based group training at the selected farm to highlight modern technologies and practices for both greenhouse and open-field production of lettuce. Through highlighting major theoretical and practical technical aspects, the training should at least cover the following topics:
o Soil preparation
o Water management
o Greenhouse operation management
o Pest management (disease control, quality inputs, etc.)
o Lettuce cultivars and varieties in light of local/international market demand
o Harvesting and post-harvest operations
· Provide individual consultancies to up to 20 lettuce growers to increase their awareness of modern production technologies, as well as harvesting and post-harvest handling practices;
· Provide ToT course for selected group of lettuce growers, to support effective dissemination of knowledge;
· Develop an informational guide that will feature step-by-step production recommendations, from planting through to harvest, as well as descriptions of specific cultivars deemed well-suited to local growing conditions and better aligned to both local and international buyer preferences. The Program will further disseminate the guide through ARDA’s state extension centers, FSCs, and sector associations;
· Develop Report highlighting implemented activities, findings and recommendations.
Required Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree in agronomy;
- Minimum 5 years of practical working experience related to culinary herbs production;
- Proven experience in conducting trainings and providing consultancies;
- Knowledge of English will be an advantage;
- Strong communication and reporting skills.
Deliverables:
- Delivery of 2-day field-based training for broader audience of lettuce producers;
- Delivery of ToT course for selected group of lettuce growers;
- Informational guide on modern technologies and practices for lettuce production;
- Final report highlighting implemented activities, findings and recommendations;
Period of Performance:
This assignment is planned to take place starting from January 20 to September 30, 2020. The assignment will be carried out through at least 2 field visits and off-site follow-up work. Total LOE for this assignment will not exceed 30 days.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status.
CNFA takes affirmative action in support of its policy to advance in employment individuals who are minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.
Please be advised that employment is contingent on permanent and legal entitlement to work in the U.S. Position is not eligible for U.S. work sponsorship.
Only those candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.