Consultancy Team to Develop "Strategic Plans for Vietnam Sustainable Shrimp Alliance (VSSA) and Bac Lieu Shrimp Association (BSA) in the period 2021-2025

Terms of Reference

for consultancy team to develop

"Strategic plans for Vietnam Sustainable Shrimp Alliance (VSSA) and

Bac Lieu Shrimp Association (BSA) in the period 2021-2025"

1. Background

The Mekong Delta plays a key role in brackish water shrimp farming industry in Vietnam, total brackish water shrimp farming area of the region is about 620,000 ha (accounts for 91% of the national shrimp production area), annual shrimp production of 484,000 tons (accounts for 81% of the nation’s shrimp farmed production. According to the planning, the Mekong Delta shall have shrimp farming area of 560,000 ha, in which white leg shrimp of 90,000 ha and total production is targeted to be in range of 700,000 to 825,000 tons. Recently, the annual shrimp’s export turnover in the Mekong Delta is about USD 3.5 billion.

The most important shrimp production provinces in the Mekong Delta are Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Kien Giang, Ben Tre, Soc Trang. Growing the industrial-scale shrimp farming practices is inevitable trend in Vietnam to meet the market demand in infinite natural resources and allowable conditions in term of shrimp farming environment. Therefore, along with the development of farming area, farming production, some issues of environmental sustainability, bio-security, and socio-economics are emerging as obstacles to the sustainable development of the industry. Based on the practical needs for sustainable and efficient shrimp industry development, a number of local initiatives have been developed such as the foundation of the Vietnam Sustainable Shrimp Alliance (VSSA), the Bac Lieu Shrimp Association (BSA) in 2020. Specifically, the Vietnam Sustainable Shrimp Alliance was approved by the Ca Mau Provincial People's Committee (PPC) to establish as per the Decision No. 952/QD-UBND dated May 29, 2020 and the Bac Lieu Shrimp Association was approved by the Bac Lieu Provincial People's Committee (PPC) as per the Decision No. 1031/QD-UBND dated June 5, 2019.

The Vietnam Sustainable Shrimp Alliance is a professional social organizations including of organizations and individuals that are managers, scientists, producers, processors, importers and exporters and services of Vietnamese shrimp industry on the voluntary principle aims to gather and unite members, protect the legitimate interests and benefits of members, and support each other for effectively business activities. The Alliance aims for a dynamic and sustainable shrimp production industry in Vietnam, ensuring the protection of the ecological environment, livelihoods, and development opportunities according to international standards. Another mission of the Alliance is to assist businesses, shrimp farmers and organizations to build and expand shrimp value, expand the market for clean and sustainable shrimp through applying advanced technology and business models.

Bac Lieu Shrimp Association is a professional social organization of people working in the shrimp and other fisheries sectors in the province voluntarily established, for the purpose of gathering and uniting members, protect the rights and benefits of its members; support each other to operate effectively, contributing to the socio-economic development of the province. Currently, the Bac Lieu Shrimp Association has over 200 members comprised of relevant stakeholders in the value chain of the local shrimp industry and representatives of state management agencies, scientific-technological institutions/ organizations etc.

According to statistical data, Ca Mau province has more than 300,000 ha for aquaculture, including more than 280,000 ha for brackish water shrimp farming, accounting for about 40% of the total shrimp farming area nationwide. The annual production of farmed shrimp reaches about 180,000 tons, accounting for 22% of the total national shrimp production. The whole province has 30 enterprises with 32 shrimp processing and exporting factories with capacity of 250,000 tons of raw shrimp / year. Ca Mau shrimp export turnover is estimated at 1.2 billion USD and Ca Mau shrimp products are present in 90 countries and territories. The province's shrimp industry dominates the livelihoods of more than 50% of the local population, directly influencing the employment of 350,000 workers, of which about 300,000 are directly involved in shrimp farming and shrimp farming is considered a key economic sector of the province. 

Whilst Bac Lieu province has about 140,000 ha of brackish water shrimp farming area, in which, 22,000 ha of intensive shrimp farming area, advance extensive shrimp farming area of 420 ha and rice-shrimp integrating area of 33,750 ha, extensive combined shrimp farming area of 79,200 ha. Annual shrimp production of the province is about 126,400 tons. Accordingly, there are approximately 45,000 labors directly engaged in shrimp value chain in the province. In 2019, total shrimp farming area of the province was 135,622 ha and production volume of 150,239 tons. Thus Bac Lieu is the second biggest province of Vietnam in term of shrimp farmed production, just behind Ca Mau province.

Vietnam shrimp industry has achieved considerable results and development, however, Vietnam shrimp has not recognized in term of trademark whilst requirements in traceability, food safety and hygiene, environmental – social responsibility, equity is being increased. Global context is promoting sustainable development in accordance with SDG and global integration following free trade agreements, therefore, more and more new and strict requirements are requested to shrimp industry. Currently, over 80% of shrimp farms in Vietnam are small scale, thus meeting the requirements mentioned above is really challenge to Vietnam shrimp commodity. Recently, technology improving process has been performed to shrimp industry, nevertheless, remaining obstacles including (1) high production cost (10-15% higher compared to India and Ecuador), (2) Policy approaching of local farmers is very limited, (3) Weak supply chain connection, (4) Linkage among actors within same node of the supply chain is weak; (5) Aquatic environment quality and management and, climate change issue. Foundation of relevant coalitions, associations shall probably support the shrimp industry in the Mekong Delta region to (1) Reach out to relevant policies, (2) Perfect production technology (reduce production costs and environmental footprint), (3) Enhance supply chain linkage (mobilize necessary resources to address issues associated), (4) Improve global integration capacity and (5) Development brand name for shrimp industry.

Similarly, the shrimp industry in Ca Mau and Bac Lieu provinces has not fully utilized its potentials and advantages; there are still many shortcomings, difficulties, challenges, with high risks in sustainable development including: the necessary infrastructure system is insufficient, weak, not invested adequately; unpredictable impacts of climate change, aquatic environment changes due to rising sea levels, and epidemics have not been well predicted and controlled, supply water for shrimp farm is not met required quality and quantity. Demand for investment capital for local shrimp farmers in both provinces is high, however, access to finance is difficult. Industrial scale shrimp farming means discharging a lot of organic and in-organic wastes, nevertheless, there is still no complete waste treatment process or technology to replicate and thoroughly handle related problems as well as possible risks to the aquatic environment.

In addition, the production scale is still mostly small, inconsistent, application of science and technology is limited, the supply chain and value chain are not well effectively operated and production costs of shrimp farmed are quite high compared to other countries that leads to weak competitiveness in international markets. Moreover, the technical and/or none tariff requirements of the import markets are getting more and more serious while the input resources are limited, leading to the sustainability and competitiveness of farmed shrimp products in the province facing many difficulties in expanding international integration. Especially, in the context of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) took effect, the sustainable development, meeting the technical requirements of the market are significant challenges to the developing and taking advantage of opportunities for the Ca Mau and Bac Lieu shrimp industry in particular for the Mekong Delta shrimp industry in general.

To contribute to supporting sustainable development, improving income, reducing environmental impacts, and enhancing competitiveness for the Ca Mau and Bac Lieu shrimp industry, the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH), OXFAM, ICAFIS/VINAFIS are looking for a group of consultants to collect and analyze data and information, consult with relevant stakeholders to develop the first draft of the Strategic plan for the Vietnam Sustainable Shrimp Alliance and Bac Lieu Shrimp Association for the period 2021-2025, as well as identifying prioritized activities for the Alliance in 2021.

2. Objective

The objectives of this mission are:

• Assess the current situation of stakeholder’s collaboration in shrimp value chains in Ca Mau, Bac Lieu (Mangrove forest shrimp, extensive, rice-shrimp integrated model, industrial scale shrimp farming model etc.);

• Develop the strategies and operational plans for the Vietnam Sustainable Shrimp Alliance, Bac Lieu Shrimp Association for the period 2021-2025 towards better environment, better income and better job for people involved in the shrimp supply chain;

• Propose feasible mechanisms for implementation, coordination and mobilization of resources needed from relevant stakeholders to implement the strategies and operational plans of VSSA and BSA in the period 2021-2025.

• To propose models, technical and market solutions to improve productivity and quality as well as reduce the production cost, social and environmental impact of farmed shrimp. These solutions should also reduce market, biosafety, and environmental risk, improve the sustainability of the sector.

3. Scope of works and deliverables

Activity 1: Collect and review data, information on current status of production, business and supply chain linkage of the shrimp industry; analyze – identify advantages, disadvantages, challenges and opportunities for sustainable development of shrimp industry in Ca Mau and Bac Lieu provinces

• Overall assessment of current production and business of the shrimp industry in Ca Mau and Bac Lieu provinces, production/business models, supply chain linkage, difficulties, and challenges for sustainable development (environment, economy, society).

• Collect, analyze experiences of other similar models in other supply chains in Vietnam and in the world.

• Analyze and evaluate the efficiency of existing shrimp supply chains in Ca Mau and Bac Lieu provinces, analyze main shortcomings, and limitations for sustainable development.

• Conduct the SWOT analysis for sustainable development of shrimp industry in Ca Mau, Bac Lieu provinces

Outcome:

• Report: (01) Assessment of the shrimp value chain, supply chain and opportunities and challenges towards ensuring sustainable and effective linkages for shrimp industry in Ca Mau province; (01) Assessment of the shrimp value chain, supply chain and opportunities and challenges towards ensuring sustainable and effective linkages for shrimp industry in Bac Lieu province.

Survey/study site and data sources

• The consultancy team is responsible to develop a plan for field study, surveying and collecting the necessary data to deliver the required products with high quality. The consultant team will present the mission implementation plan, expected outputs to VSSA, BSA, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ca Mau, Bac Lieu), IDH, OXFAM for consultation purposes, and based on this plan, members of VSSA, BSA, DARDs (Ca Mau, Bac Lieu), IDH, OXFAM ... will support the consultant team to coordinate with organizations, units, and individuals to collect enough data/ information.

Activity 2: Develop the draft strategy and operational plan for the Vietnam Sustainable Shrimp Alliance for the period 2021-2025.

• Develop contents of the Strategic plan, identify prioritized activities with timeline, expected resources, specific targets and goals, indicators needed for monitoring and evaluation of the strategic plan.

• Proposing the mechanisms within members of the alliance and between the alliance with partners to coordinate and mobilize necessary resources to implement the strategy.

• Develop a roadmap and the list of prioritized activities for Vietnam Sustainable Shrimp Alliance.

Outcome:

• Draft Strategic plan for Vietnam Sustainable Shrimp Alliance in the period 2021-2025.

• Framework of prioritized activities for the Vietnam Sustainable Shrimp Alliance in 2021.

Activity 3: Develop the draft Strategic plan for Bac Lieu Shrimp Association for the period 2021-2025.

• Develop core content of the strategic plan, identify the prioritized activities with timeline, expected resources, specific targets and goals, indicators needed for monitoring and evaluation of the strategic plan.

•  Proposing a mechanism to coordinate, mobilize necessary resources to implement the strategy.

• Develop a roadmap and the list of prioritized activities for Bac Lieu Shrimp Association.

Outcome:

• Draft Strategic plan for Bac Lieu Shrimp Association in the period 2021-2025.

• Framework of prioritized activities for Bac Lieu Shrimp Association in 2021.

4. Timeframe and work plan

The task is expected to be completed according to the overall timeframe below. The consultancy team is expected to develop a specific work plan to ensure achieving outstanding deliverables and propose feasible recommendations to VSSA, BSA, OXFAM, ICAFIS/VINAFIS and IDH.

Please note that all costs, including consulting fees, consultant travel, hotels, seminars / meetings are based on EU cost norms.

5. Profile requires experience knowledge / expertise

We are seeking a high qualified consultant team to perform this task, in which at least 3 key consultants (experts) are needed. These experts are expected to have a thorough understanding of (1) brackish water shrimp industry (2) expertise in gathering and analysis data, experience in policy making, planning and management of industry and (3) seafood processing and international seafood trade/business.

Requirements for key consultants:

• Leader: to have at least 15 year experience in domestic and international on the management of aquaculture; presides over the collection, analysis, interpretation and management of data, economic analysis. Master's degree in fisheries management or related field is required; Have a good network of relationships with public-private agencies and civil society in the relevant fields; experienced in working with public and private senior officials, (especially knowledgeable on the context of the private sector). The team leader must be capable of facilitating meetings among the relevant stakeholders; Fluent in both English and Vietnamese Working experience in the Mekong Delta region is an advantage.  

• Shrimp farming/seafood processing industry specialist: At least 10 year experience in aquaculture processing/trade and planning in Vietnam; fluent Vietnamese and English. Working experience in the Mekong Delta region is an advantage.

• Fishery trade and socio - economic specialist: At least 10 years of experience in business development, including data collection and analysis to develop business models, and good skills in identification, negotiation and conversation with relevant stakeholders; experience in business management/ commerce and collaboration ibn aquaculture sector is prioritized; fluent in Vietnamese and English. Working experience in the Mekong Delta region is an advantage.

6. Submit application form

Interested consultant team can apply by submitting

• ToR-Based Tasks Proposal with detailed budget and
• CV of consultant team members with description of roles and responsibilities of the members' duties when performing the mission. 
• Budget proposal including consultant fee (based on number of working days by members); estimated costs for field works, meeting/workshop associated.

Applications should be sent to: [email protected] [1] (Mr. Nguyen Ba Thong - IDH), before the Oct 25^th 2020.