Terms of Reference

Plantwise Special Studies

Terms of Reference

Plantwise (PW) is a global collaborative programme, led by CABI, working to improve food security and livelihoods by reducing crop losses particularly for the smallholder farmer. This is achieved in partnership with existing extension services to establish plant clinics which advise farmers on plant health problems, and a global Knowledge Bank which brings together plant health information for practical use. Plantwise also works to help strengthen national plant health systems by facilitating links between key stakeholders – government, research, extension, agro-input suppliers and farmers.

Networks of locally-owned and operated plant clinics are established, based on a similar approach to human health clinics, where farmers can find advice to manage and prevent crop problems. Agricultural advisory staff, trained as plant doctors, learns methods to identify problems and provide advice according to the best standards.

CABI is looking for services of experienced consultants/research firms to carry out special studies in four Plantwise countries (Malawi, Zambia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam) to; assess program’s performance and its initial impact upon the participating households, demonstrating models of implementation, and gauging farmers’ satisfaction on and willingness to pay for plant clinic services as a mechanism for increased sustainability of the programme. The applicants can apply for one or all four countries depending upon their experience and presence in the subject countries. Please send your application package to: [email protected] with a CC to [email protected] not later than August 9^th, 2015.

Objectives of the survey:

These special studies will be conducted with standard methodology and tools across the four countries to ensure that the results are comparable and recommendations are actionable.

The specific objectives for the special studies include;

1. Collect verifiable evidence on clinic attendance for demonstrating success models and evaluate areas such as; clinic attendance barriers, drivers, gender spaces, and ethnic diversity, etc.;
2. Asses change in farmers’ knowledge, practices, yield, livelihood, as a result of employing Plantwise recommendations;
3. Assess farmers’ satisfaction with plant clinic advice and establish spill-over formulae at the country and at the program level; and,
4. Study the willingness of farmers to pay for plant clinic services as a mechanism for increased sustainability.

Methodology

The study design must utilise quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques. Data collection techniques on primary beneficiaries may include PW program’s online database reports and their analysis coupled with structured interviews with CABI staff, partners and farmers in the field. Field surveys, observation and Key Informant Interviews and or Focus Group Interviews tools will be used with stratified randomly sampled farmer population in program areas for identifying secondary and tertiary participants. For comparison data may also be collected in non-clinic areas. Secondary data and semi-structured interviews with partners and other similar interventions will be included for any other type of beneficiaries.

This methodology should be treated as only an indicative idea on how the objectives should be empirically researched. Final methodology and related tools can be agreed in consultation with the selected consultants.

CABI will provide:

• Related project documents
• Contacts with national partners and related facilitation for movements within the country
• List of farmers and other information required

Specific Tasks:

• Conduct meetings with staff and desk review of relevant project documents;
• Submit an inception report covering methodology, tools, plans, and timeline;
• Conduct field work in the country and submit draft report for review;
• Revise the draft reports on the basis of CABI’s feedback; and
• Submit final report and related sets of data to CABI satisfaction.

Time Scale:

The work must be completed in an eight-week period from the date of contract.  If possible a more rapid completion would be preferable.

Application:

Interested consultants/research firm need to submit the following documentation in support of their application:

a)     Cover letter: Explaining why the candidate is the most suitable for the work;

b)    An outline of how they are proposing to conduct the special studies in the four countries that will include the methodology, appropriate tools, the work plan, costs, and a timeline that is appropriate for this work; and,

c)     CV’s of the main researcher(s) with a list of three references.