Baseline survey for Bhoomi Ka by an agency/consultancy
CENTRE FOR WORLD SOLIDARITY
Terms of Reference
For conducting baseline survey for Bhoomi Ka by an agency/consultancy
1. Background: – What is Bhoomi Ka (Clean, green and fair)
India’s food system is broken. Ecologically harmful practices and technologies could achieve agriculture production in a short span of time but has taken a heavy toll on the environment and human health. Fortunately, there is a growing demand for producing and consuming food that is safe and healthy. Motivated by rising demand, many farmers in India are turning to agricultural practices that are chemical free and sustainable. More and more new food-related “ecopreneurs” (farmer producer organizations, restaurants, street vendors, food retailers, food processors, wholesalers, and others) are willing to transform the existing food systems and to create value chains that are not only driven by economic but also, social, cultural, nutritional, and ecological values at various level. But changes in food systems are complex and there are no ready-made roadmaps or a single window service provision.
Bhoomi Ka (meaning ‘of the earth’), a social business, aims at transforming the food ecosystem and increase access of small holder farmers to clean, green and fair markets (https://www.bhoomika.com) It envisions and creates future sustainable food systems favourable to smallholder farmers and middle-class consumers. Bhoomi Ka is trying to fill the gap by
– providing capacity building services for ecopreneurs, FPOs and Small Holder Farmers
– managing a social networking platform to bring in multiple stakeholders together who are involved in food value chain.
– supporting producers and retailer to link to international market for certain flagship products.
Bhoomi Ka is promoted under the project ‘Bhoomi Ka – Co-creating Clean, Green and Fair Food Systems’ supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The overall objective of the project is- the existing framework conditions that influence the development of agroecological value chains and food systems have improved and become more inclusive for smallholder producer communities, ecopreneurs and consumers. Under this project the team will work with 100 FPOs and 100 ecopreneurs to build their capacities build strong sustainable inclusive ecological value chains from across seven states- Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Punjab and Uttarakhand.
Objective for Baseline
The objective of the baseline are-
a) To set baseline benchmarks for performance indicators to compare at the Endline. The baseline study report will be used to fine-tune the project activities and to monitor the project progress against the set indicators over the course of the project implementation. The project indicators are listed in Annexure 1.
b) To provide potential client and resource group mapping for BhoomiKa and the project.
2. Scope of work
The consultant(s)/Agency will design and conduct the baseline survey and set out the benchmarks according to programme indicators. The following information should also be captured in the baseline study-
a) FPO mapping – identifying FPOs practicing ecological agriculture from the states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab and Uttarakhand.
b) SME mapping – identifying fair businesses dealing with ecological products from the above-mentioned states.
c) Need assessment for capacity building of FPO and SME
d) Explore and identify flagship product & scalable intervention from identified FPO and SMEs
e) Stakeholder mapping- clarifying the role of the stake holders like government and financial institutes in developing business opportunity of FPO and SME
f) Identifying pool of experts/organisation for capacity building and training of FPOs and SMEs as per need assessment
g) Defining agroecological value chain, its challenges, value addition and possible innovation
h) Identify and review of policy gaps for support system of FPOs and SME.
3. Deliverables:
– Study report with compiled/analysed data.
– Questionnaire, methodology to be put as annex of the report.
– Raw data in excel sheet with clean headers & sections.
4. The proposal:
The final proposal to be submitted to palash@cwsorg.in, rajeshjha@cwsorg.in@ or career@cwsorg.in by 17th March 2023 with the following detail,
– Details of methodology, including sampling logic Timelines
– Financial Proposal with detailed budgetary requirements Credential/CV of the organisation/individual and references of multi sector experts with experience
– Reference of any similar engagements conducted in the past.
5. Supervision
The Agency will report the results to Bhoomi Ka Project team at Jamshedpur, Jharkhand and share the progress of activities from time to time under this contract.
6. Terms of Payment
The payment modality will be as follows:
(i) An advance of 20% will be made available on signing of the contract.
(ii) 50% will be paid on submission of interim narrative report highlighting numbers and profiles of FPOs reached and type of services provided (including case studies and testimonies) along with a financial statement of expenditure.
(iii) The balance 30% will be paid on completion of the activities and submission of final narrative report and an audited statement of accounts for the entire contract period.
Annexure 1
Project outcome and indicators:
Project Outputs
| Indicators Target value (target) |
1. the supported producer groups and ecopreneurs and other stakeholders use the networking services and trainings of the self-sustainable social enterprise Bhoomi Ka to their advantage. | At least 5,000 registered users report satisfaction with the networking, capacity building and knowledge sharing services offered on the Bhoomi Ka platform at the end of the project. |
In the third year of the project, Bhoomi Ka achieves coverage of running costs and can thus finance a permanent team of staff and continue to operate the platform.
| |
At the end of the project period, 90% of the supported producer groups and organic farmers know and apply procedures to improve the quality and marketing of their products. | |
2. at least 20 producer groups are involved in and benefit from 50 functioning agro-ecological value chains. | Each of the 20 supported producer organisations and buyers (ecopreneurs) have entered into contractual agreements on product-related transactions. |
At the end of the project, 50 agro-ecological value chains fulfil the criteria of the “Clean, Green and Fair” approach developed by Bhoomi Ka. | |
3. key actors at national and international level advocate for an enabling policy environment for organic food systems. | By the end of the project, civil society organisations as well as representatives of science, consumers, policy makers and market participants will submit at least three policy recommendations to the governments of five states. |
Until the end of the project, Bhoomi Ka is conducting a systematic learning exchange on organic food systems with international cooperation partners.
| |
By the end of the project, an evidence-based resource document/manual for the development of agroecological value chains, based on Bhoomi Ka’s experience in implementing agroecological value chains, has been produced and disseminated. |
