Background
AGRA is a not-for-profit organization working with African governments, other donors, NGOs, the private sector, and farmers to improve the productivity and incomes of resource-poor smallholder farmers in Africa. AGRA aims to catalyze an inclusive agricultural transformation in Africa by increasing incomes and improving food security for millions of smallholder farmers in Africa. For more information about AGRA, please visit www.agra.org.
The consultancy is to be carried out under the project “Scaling Sustainable Seed System for South Sudan”. This project seeks to strengthen the seed systems in South Sudan as a fundamental requirement for sustainably enhancing productivity, farmer income, as well as nutrition and food security. The project will be guided by the Centre of Excellence for Seed Systems in Africa (CESSA) approach and key thematic areas of a functional seed system which include breeding, variety release and maintenance, early generation seed production, certified seed production, quality assurance, farmer awareness and participation, seed markets and distribution, national planning and coordination, as well as policy, legal and regulatory frameworks. This consultancy is focused on review, validation and submission of draft seed bill for enactment processes.
The seed sector in South Sudan lacks the necessary regulatory frameworks to guide and support the development of the industry. This gap has impeded the growth of the seed systems, therefore curtailing investment, leading to a shortage of seeds for farmers. Previous attempts have been made by the government of South Sudan with support from development partners to have seed policy, laws, regulations, and technical standards. These efforts have not been successful and currently, the country has only a draft Seed and Plant Varieties Provisional Order 2021 aligned with COMESA seed trade. The existing South Sudan Variety Release Guidelines of 2019 being used by South Sudan Variety Release Committee is not anchored on any relevant seed legal instruments i.e., seed policy, law or regulations. Therefore, its implementation is a challenge. The consultancy is to review, align and validate the
Seed and Plant varieties Bill for enactment and implementation. This will contribute to increased investment in seed sector, improve quality of seed in the market, increased breeding and release of crop varieties. The assignment will interface and hinge on the new national policy being formulated with support of FAO. The seed and plant varieties bill will be aligned with relevant national legal instruments, regional and international protocols.
Objectives
To review, align, validate and finalize the Seed and Plant Variety Bill (2021) for enactment and implementation Goals:
1. Assess the existing seed regulatory environment by examining the legal instruments, i.e. seed and agricultural policies, laws, bills, regulations.
2. Mobilize and engage seed stakeholders in review, alignment and validation of the Seed and Plant Varieties Bill
3. Sensitize and create awareness among the policy makers on the importance and role of the seed regulatory frameworks in seed sector development
4. Train the public sector in seed regulatory frameworks formulation, implementation, monitoring and analysis
5. Develop implementation plan for seed regulatory framework
Outcomes:
1. South Sudan Seed Regulatory Environment Report produced
2. Seed and Plant Varieties Bill finalized and submitted for enactment
3. Policy makers (key arms of government) sensitized seed regulatory frameworks
4. Ministry of Agriculture staff trained on seed regulatory frameworks formulation, implementation and monitoring
5. Seed Regulatory frameworks implementation plan produced
Scope of Work
1. Detailed description of the tasks and activities to be performed by the consultant. Assess the existing seed regulatory environment by examining the legal instruments, i.e. seed and agricultural policies, laws, bills, regulations.
2. Mobilize and engage seed stakeholders in review, alignment and validation of the Seed and Plant Varieties Bill
3. Sensitize and create awareness among the policy makers on the importance and role of the seed regulatory frameworks in seed sector development
4. Train the public sector in seed regulatory frameworks formulation, implementation, monitoring and analysis
5. Develop implementation plan for seed regulatory framework
Qualifications and Experience
The Consultant or Consultancy firm shall have key project resources that must have at a minimum:
1. Minimum bachelor’s degree in an agricultural field
2. At least 8 years of experience in Agricultural Policy formulation, implementation and monitoring in subSaharan Africa
3. Experience in agricultural regulatory service will be an added advantage
4. The consultant must possess a sound reputation with demonstrated in-depth knowledge of public and
5. private sector-led agriculture in Africa.
6. Previous experience of conducting similar assignments in Africa
7. Experience in stakeholder mobilization and engagement, private sector and development partners is
8. an added advantage.
9. Strong references for reliability, dedication, and independence.
