Background
AGRA is a proudly African-led institution focused on scaling agricultural innovations that help smallholder farmers towards increased incomes, better livelihoods, and improved food security. We understand that African farmers need uniquely African solutions to the environmental and agricultural challenges they face, enabling them to sustainably boost production and gain access to rapidly growing agricultural markets. In short, AGRA’s mission is to transform the lives of smallholder farmers - from that of a solitary struggle for survival to a business that thrives. Since 2006, we have worked with our partners – governments, non-governmental organizations, private sector businesses, and more – to deliver a set of proven solutions to smallholder farmers and indigenous African agricultural enterprises. We put smallholder farmers first on the agenda, recognizing that no country has moved from low income to middle income without agricultural transformation.
In its journey to the transformation of the agricultural sector in Rwanda, the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) is engaging big investors in large-scale farming to speed up shifting the current small-scale and traditional agriculture to market and business-oriented Agriculture. However, access to adequately sized land is a key constraint. While land titling has been done, land liaise, sales and rental markets are still limited. Consolidation of smallholdings into larger viable farms is critical. To overcome these limitations, there is a need for a policy to govern investors’ access to land currently owned or under use by small-scale farmers. Such a policy should also regulate Youth easy access to land as the next generation of big commercial farmers and potential investors in the Rwandan Agricultural Sector. Therefore, the formulation of a policy governing land market in Rwanda, is a key driver for this journey.
In this perspective, AGRA understands and is eager to support MINAGRI efforts to expedite and sustain agricultural transformation in Rwanda. AGRA believes that agricultural sector development in Africa requires appropriate policy and regulatory reforms to create the necessary landscape to achieve sustainable growth. Over the years, AGRA has been supporting governments to champion policy and regulatory reforms that drive inclusive transformation of agriculture and create incentives for increased private sector participation in agri-business.
In pursuit of these objectives, AGRA is therefore seeking for a Land Policy Expert, in the form of a consulting firm, to provide technical support to MINAGRI in designing an Agricultural Land Market Policy. The agricultural land market will play a vital role in facilitating agricultural production and supporting the overall efficiency and productivity of the agricultural sector. It will allow optimal use of land resources by matching available land with farmers who can utilize it effectively. The consultancy services will entail undertaking an initial analysis of land use optimization for agriculture in Rwanda, review the existing land policies and benchmarking with successful similar land market policies in other countries. The consultant is expected to use the results from analysis, review, and benchmarking to, therefore, develop a well-informed and customized agricultural land market policy for Rwanda to promote a win-win agri-business environment for big investors, youth and farmers owners/users of land under small-scale agricultural production. The land market policy will be crucial in guiding investments and support GoR efforts and packages deployed to enhance efficiencies in the transformation of Agriculture in Rwanda.
Objectives of the Consultancy
The main objective of the assignment is to support the development of agricultural land acquisition processes and land rental market policy or guidelines that facilitate optimal access and usage of agricultural land by (with special focus on youth and women) and matching available and underutilized land with individuals and entities that have capital and capacity to put it to productive use. This will catalyze a vibrant land market, that stimulate agriculture sector investment, enhance agricultural productivity, contribute to efficient use of limited land resources. The assignment will involve studies to ascertain the status of land markets in Rwanda and designing a model that is aligned with international best practices. The overall objective of the consultancy assignment is to support MINAGRI in designing the Agricultural Land Market Policy for Rwanda.
Scope of Work
Under this assignment, the Consultant shall work closely with MINAGRI, and undertake a systematic review of current land policies, and market dynamics, and use regional and global lessons to design optimal land acquisition and land rental market guidelines for Rwanda to support youth access to land as well other investors. Specifically, the assignment will involve the following key activities:
1. Review the policy, legal and regulatory framework to understand the current provisions for agricultural land acquisition and land rental markets and identify gaps inhibiting agricultural investment
2. Review regional and global case studies and assess the best practices for agricultural land market acquisition, drawing lessons for Rwanda’s agricultural land acquisition and land market.
3. Consult relevant stakeholders in the private sector and beyond to gather views on the optimal mechanisms and incentives for efficient land market.
4. Develop an agriculture land acquisition process map and guidelines for land acquisition and land leasing ideal for attracting agricultural investments.
5. Design a comprehensive agricultural land market policy.
6. Propose an investor-friendly land acquisition process for agricultural investments.
7. Conduct validation meetings for the process map and guidelines with relevant stakeholders.
8. Create digital portal of the process map, accessible to investors across the globe, to guide potential investment in Rwanda’s land and agriculture sectors.
9. Provide training and technical support to government authorities and implementation partners on the proposed process, the use and maintenance of the portal.
10. Provide technical support through roadmap and strategy for the utilization of acquired land for broad-based and sustainable employment creation for the youth (Youth employment and agribusiness specialist)
11. Provide technical support for land and agriculture investment to ensure optimal and productive use of the land (Land economist).
Deliverables
The Consultant will be expected to deliver the following:
1. A comprehensive report detailing the results of the scoping study. The report should give a comprehensive status of the current state of land markets in Rwanda, the key underlying drivers, constraints, and prospects for development of efficient land rental markets that are aligned with best practices. This should also provide a stock take of best practices for agricultural land markets both within the continent and around the world. The report must provide an in-depth review of the existing land policies in Rwanda, and clearly articulate the current land governing structures, including rules that govern land acquisition, leasing models, and how effective these have been in facilitating efficient utilization of land, particularly agricultural investments.
2. A detailed agricultural land market policy for Rwanda that addresses the constraints unpacked in the scoping study and aligns with international best practices.
3. Agricultural land acquisition process map and guidelines for land acquisition and land leasing ideal for attracting agricultural investments.
4. Digital portal of the agriculture land acquisition process
5. Agriculture land leasing guideline/policy informed by best practices.
Key Qualifications and Experience Required
The consultancy will be performed by individual that has technical resources that must have:
1. Relevant advanced academic qualification (MSc or PhD) in Agricultural Economics, Agri-business, Land Economy, Rural Development, Economics, and any other related field.
2. Minimum 8 years of experience in land policy, market strategy and investment plan design.
3. Evidence of knowledge and demonstration of supporting development of policy and regulatory reforms, guidelines, and procedures in agriculture.
4. Deep knowledge and experience in agricultural and land markets, including experiences in analytics and models for land markets.
5. Past related experience in land issues, governance, and markets in sub-Saharan Africa.
6. In-country presence and in-depth knowledge of the policy landscape in Rwanda.
7. Experience in working with government agencies, private sector and development partners is an added advantage.
8. Good references for reliability, dedication, and an ability to work unsupervised.
9. Previous experience in providing technical support/conducting assessments to the AGRA target countries is an advantage.
