Job Description
The MarChE Project is built on successful prior USAID assistance with development of market value chains in selected crops such as coffee, mangos, cacao, and to some extent non-traditional crops like yams, peppers and processed goods, and for non-agricultural sectors such as tourism
By the end of the project, MarChE will have transformed at least twelve separate, high-value market chains, increasing linkages between players in and among market chains. In addition, there will be a thriving SME service sector providing technical, marketing, training, finance, and ICT services to these value-chains on a commercial basis. The Grants under Contract will have been fully disbursed to sustainable enterprises and organizations, attracting new sources of domestic and foreign investment to competitive sectors, and leveraging at least $5 million in private sector resources. MarChE will have significantly improved natural resources management in collaboration with other USAID and national programs by increasing the planting of perennial crops in critical watersheds, promoting environmentally friendly value-chain products, and working with large-scale producers and contract farmers in the fertile plains and lowland areas.
Background and Rationale
Many crops are grown in the irrigated perimeters in Haiti including rice, vegetables, maize, sugarcane, citrus and pulses. Rice, the dominant crop in the irrigated perimeters, covers about 41 000 ha of lands. In general, rice production can be extended into 2 seasons: March-July and August-December. In 2004, rice production was estimated at 65000 TM corresponding to about 15 % of the total demand (450 000 TM) in Haiti.
Vegetables including carrots, onions, tomatoes, peppers, cabbages, eggplants and leeks are the second most important crops in the irrigated perimeters in terms of land areas (13 000 ha). In general, there is one season of vegetable production from March to July; nevertheless it may vary depending on the sub-region and the specific crops. In 2002, vegetable consumption was approximately 250 000 TM nationwide, corresponding to more than $ US 110 millions. In other words, vegetables are of utmost importance in the irrigated perimeters and MarChE will focus its interventions on them.
Purpose and Objectives
This STTA will establish a Market Information System and provide the linkages with local and international buyers
The main objectives of this STTA are:
- To make a quick assessment of the MISs in operation in Haiti (sustainability, reliability, linkages with real needs, etc.) and their impact on the overall development of the horticultural sector in the country;
- o The assessment should describe the different mechanisms for the price fixation and diffusion from the farm to the consumer;
- o Furthermore, the assessment should identify the real needs, in term of information, for the main horticultural actors;
- To propose a strategy (including set-up methodology) on what type of pilot MIS based on production, prices, available market channels for crops from Saint-Raphael, which would be appropriate and feasible for the further development of horticulture sector in Haiti;
- To improve market access for local producers, with a specific attention to the different needs and opportunities of women and men in rural areas of Saint Raphael by encouraging investments into and the development of, wholesale/farmer/retail markets, post-harvest and added value activities, farmer marketing and enterprise groups and improved linkages between farmers, traders and processors
- To enable the further uptake of quality assurance programs and in particular to ensure that buyers and consumers are properly informed regarding (the quality / safety of ) locally produced food products
- To recommend strategic alliances, strategic steps, and project involvement and support in the implementation of the proposed strategy
- To develop with MarChE the buyer-led linkages and planning for event(s) to bring the buyers together with local investors (including agro dealers) and producers in Saint Raphael to contract for orders/delivery of specific commodities, including post-harvest investments, packaging, transportation, technology transfer and training
Methodology
The methodology of the assessment will consist of three main elements:
- i) study of the relevant documentation (provided by the project),
- ii) direct interaction with local and international stakeholders in MIS sector in Haiti (e.g. through interviews), discussions with project staff members in order to understand their approaches, suggestions, and vision of development of the MIS for horticulture sector.
- iii) debriefing (wrap-up meeting) with relevant stakeholders and project officers to present the main fact findings (last half day of the field consultancy).
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
- Meet with the producers in Saint Raphael to assess their needs and explore specific post-harvest interventions to address them
- Meet with major stakeholders (local buyers, exporters) to explore needs and product requirements
- Explore the best strategy for MarChE's interventions
- Develop an action plan and estimated budget for the interventions to support those producers
- Identify potential markets for those producers including contacts (telephone numbers, fax, e-mails) of potential buyers
Consultant qualifications
- Excellent knowledge of market information systems for the agricultural sector :
- Former experience in the design, implementation, and monitoring of MIS ;
- Excellent knowledge of modern IT;
- Experience in the development of sustainable MIS in developing and transitional countries;
- Experience in post harvest (packaging, storage…) of vegetables;
- Previous working experience in similar assignments;
- Excellent oral and written knowledge of English;
- Availability in the period from mid January 2010 to mid march 2010;
