1. Background and Rationale:
In less than two decades, Vietnam has moved from being a net agricultural importer to being one of the world’s significant exporters. In the last decade, agricultural exports grew strongly with 1990s agricultural production gains averaging 4.3 percent a year, with export values growing on average 13 percent per year. Its major export crops include rice ranking as the second largest exporter worldwide, coffee ranking as the second largest exporter, pepper the first largest exporter, and cashew kernels the third largest exporter. Vietnam also has strong potential in other agriculture products, such as straw mushrooms, where it is the third largest exporter, and rubber.
SNV Vietnam (Netherlands Development Organisation) contributes to poverty reduction and sustainable development through provision of innovative market-based solutions in various programmes: Agriculture and Forest Products, Inclusive Business, Pro Poor Sustainable Tourism, Water-Sanitation, Climate Change and Renewable Energy.
In the AFP program, SNV decides to undertake further study for new emerging sectors with potential for growth such as cocoa and to promote sustainable agriculture production.
SNV Viet Nam therefore aims to carry out this assessment of the cocoa sector in Viet Nam, exploring the feasibility of the implication of quality standards as a sustainable and business sector led initiative as well as the potential to integrate into the global supply chain.
2. Objectives of the assignment
The overall objective of the assignment is to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date analysis about the cocoa sector and its markets. More specifically:
- Conduct a cocoa sector analysis: focusing on smallholder producers, production, processing, distribution and market systems, with particular emphasis on the private and public business sector.
- To assess overall geographic and climatic impacts on cocoa production in the South Central and Mekong delta areas of Viet Nam.
- To assess the potential and added value of application of quality standards for a sustainable cocoa production.
- To assess the demand for sustainable cocoa consumption in the domestic and export markets.
- To assess capacity of service providers at different levels of the cocoa supply chain
- To provide specific recommendations for a sustainable cocoa project development of SNV.
3. Expected Outputs and Deliverables
1. A detailed study plan, including agenda for preparation, desk and field assessment, debriefing and reporting; methodology, primary formats of tools, questionnaires and reports, procedures coordination;
2. A summary report that includes the following sections/information:
2.1 Cocoa sector analysis:
- Review of relevant government policies and strategies for cocoa sector development;
- Sector stakeholder map and stakeholder influence map
- List of current cocoa production systems, including areas, location, volume, scale of farms, productivity, cultivation practice, geographic and climatic influance…;
- A brief overview (trends, volume, value) of the international and domestic cocoa markets
- Value chain analysis for small holder producers in the central high land region and in the Mekong delta region, with particular emphasis on the private and public business sector.
- Review of private sector and NGO involvement on activities in the cocoa sector
2.2 Quality standard application analysis:
- Review of government/donor programs and policies for sustainable cocoa production with a focus on application of standards such as SAN, USAC etc.
- Resource and potential cocoa production area map
- Overview of local background and capacity of producers towards application of quality standards
- Analysis of capacities of local government agencies and service providers in provision of consultancy and certification for quality standard implication:
- Capacity of local government agencies such as DARD, DOST ect.
- Capacity of input providers of seeds, fertilisers, pesticides ect.
- Consultancy services in producer group organization, implication of quality standards, contract arrangement with private sector processors/buyers;
- Capacity of certification bodies
2.3 Conclusions and recommendations on practical interventions for a sustainable cocoa project development.
2.4 List of references
Interviewees, agencies, documents and materials etc.
4. Consultants Role
- The consultant(s) will work closely with SNV programme staff, SNV partners, and community to achieve the contract goals and expected results.
- The consultant(s) shall commit to follow SNV values and working approaches, i.e. encouraging equal participation, promoting grassroots and vulnerable groups, localization, contextualization, gender equity, sustainable development.
- The consultant(s) will focus their study on the most prioritized and relevant sectors and geographical areas that SNV targets.
- The consultant(s) commit that all related results will be SNV property and solely under SNV management.
5. Study organization
Location:
The targeted areas include the Central Highland and Mekong delta areas of Viet Nam. SNV and the consultants will define the specific provinces for detailed field assessment after the preliminary background data is collected and desk study is completed.
Timing:
The assessment is to be undertaken and completed within 2 months from assignment commencement.
Methodology:
The study will include desk and field studies. The consultant team will work with SNV programme staff to develop a detailed plan and consolidate methods/tools for study. The initial phase will involve a desk study approach to gather background data and information. Upon compilation of this information, field locations/sites will be selected by the SNV and consultant teams for further in-depth review at the field level.
Reporting, debriefing, sharing:
- Reports are to be submitted in English and should include case studies and photos, use neutral and moral simple language, be based on evidence and experience with clear and transparent references.
- Draft reports are expected to be submitted to SNV for comments a week before formal submission date.
- Consultants will lead a debriefing workshop to present key findings to SNV.
6. The consultant team profile
The consultancy team is expected to consist of:
- Professionals in the field of rural economic development with experience in agriculture, agri-business, market strategy, value chain development.
- Professional(s)/practitioner(s) in the field of quality standard application and certification.
7. Application:
Proposals should be submitted by 20th December 2011 to:
Ms Pham Ngoc Tram, Senior Advisor Inclusive Business
SNV Vietnam
6th Floor, Building B, La Thanh Hotel,
218 Doi Can, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Email: [email protected] [1]
Proposal should include:
1. A cover letter that includes a brief statement (no more than 3 pages) explaining the general approach, methodology, the proposed research tools (questionnaires, database, reports, etc.) and its methodology (focus groups, interviews, participatory rapid appraisal, etc.)
2. Proposed team formulation, role assignment and consultant fee
3. Up to date CVs, highlighting relevant qualifications and experience.