1. Background
Rice production systems are vulnerable to climate change impacts as well as being the major contributor to greenhouse gas (nitrous oxide and methane) emissions in the agriculture sector (IPCC 2006)*. This has significant implications for Vietnam; as one of the top five countries to be most affected by climate change it is a nation reliant on rice production for national and household food security as well as economic development. Within this setting, the most vulnerable group within the population is the small holder rice farmer (McCarthy et al. 2011)**. Therefore there is a great need for rice production systems and those reliant upon them to be made less vulnerable and more resilient to the negative impacts of climate change, as well as to emit fewer harmful greenhouse gases and remain profitable for farmers.
The DFAT funded project “Sowing the Seeds of Change: Community-based Climate Change Mitigation through Sustainable Rice Production” will support and build the capacity of small holder rice producers and provincial agencies to meet these requirements by applying the System of Rice Intensification (SRI). This is an innovative, efficient and environmentally sustainable production system that increases productivity of rice cultivation while reducing requirements for water, seed, synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and labour, especially tasks performed by women, as well as reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of methane and nitrous oxide. SRI was piloted in Vietnam in 2003 and approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) for expansion now covers 185,065 ha mostly in the northern region of Vietnam. In 15/10/2007 MARD issues a decision N0 3062/Q?-BNN-KHCN to acknowledge innovative/advance techniques and methods in rice cultivation. This system is also applicable to the central region where this project will upscale the implementation of the SRI system to two provinces in the central region of Vietnam.
Utilising an integrated approach the project will include inclusive business, rice value chain development to create growth, access to markets, jobs, capacity development, income increases and wealth for the poor; and explore bio-energy solutions utilising rice residue biomass to reduce GHG emissions and alleviate waste disposal problems, knowledge management and policy advocacy.
The project period is from June 2012 to June 2015 in Quang Binh and Binh Dinh provinces. With regard to market linkages for clean and safe SRI rice products, the clean/safe rice brand name will be built in these provinces. Prior to achieving safe/clean rice brand name, the first step must be done is chemical analysis of pesticides/herbicides and heavy metal residues in SRI rice products.
2. Objectives: The objective of this assignment is to conduct an analysis of 27 chemical pesticides in paddy rice fields for Quang Binh and Binh Dinh provinces.
3. Outputs / Deliverables
- 29 samples to be tested;
- Result/report rice samples with different chemical indicators of pesticides residues in rice products in Vietnamese and English. The report/result is expected to be submitted by the labconsultants after sending samples by 10 days.
4. Consultancy requirements:
The assignment is expected to be undertaken by a team/institute with recognized testing/certifying function.
• Research Laboratory, Center, Institute registered and legally operating in Vietnam
• Have good laboratory quality management system
• Skilled in laboratory techniques for chemical and microbiological testing relating to rice products.
• Professional experience of working in food/rice laboratories in Vietnam.
• Have past experience in analysis chemical of pesticides residues in paddy rice products
• Should demonstrate a proven track record in analysis chemical residues in paddy rice
• Good network of practitioners and experts in this field
5. Timeframe: July – September 2014
6. Consultant’s quotation:
The Consultant is herein requested to provide a competitive quotation indicating all prices for different indicators
7. Applications:
Proposals should be sent by email and submitted no later than 16th July 2014 to:
Mr. Bui Van Minh
Value Chain Advisor
Climate Change in Agriculture
SNV - Netherlands Development Organization
6th floor, Building B, La Thanh Hotel
218 Doi Can street, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi
Email: [email protected] [1]
c.c to [email protected] [2]
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* IPCC. 2006. Good Practice Guidance and Uncertainty Management in National Greenhouse Gas Inventories
** McCarthy, N., L. Lipper, G, Branca. 2011. Climate-Smart Agriculture: Smallholder adoption and implications for climate change adaptation and
mitigation. FAO