Rationale for the Assignment
Ghana’s rice sector is increasingly vulnerable to climate-induced stresses and ecological disturbances that threaten national efforts to achieve rice self-sufficiency. Climate change—manifested through erratic rainfall patterns, rising temperatures, and increasing frequency of floods and droughts—has led to a notable decline in yields and productivity across key rice-growing regions. According to AfricaRice (2022), over 35% of rice production losses in West Africa can be attributed to climate-related events, and Ghana is no exception.
At the same time, migratory bird infestations have emerged as a significant yet under-addressed threat. Field reports from Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and the Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) indicate that migratory birds, particularly Quelea and weaver birds, can cause yield losses ranging from 15% to 40%, especially during the grain-filling stage of rice. This damage is often compounded by the absence of coordinated bird control strategies and over-reliance on outdated or environmentally harmful methods such as indiscriminate poisoning and manual scaring.
Specific Objectives:
• Review existing secondary data and prior studies on climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices and bird control strategies in rice farming.
• Conduct targeted stakeholder consultations in 1–2 rice-growing areas to collect practical, field-based experiences.
• Identify scalable and low-cost solutions for climate adaptation and bird damage prevention based on existing evidence.
• Produce a brief synthesis report and policy recommendations to support CARP Ghana and partners in prioritizing next steps.
Scope of Work
The consultant will conduct a rapid assessment using existing documentation, limited field consultations, and stakeholder interviews to generate actionable insights. The scope will include:
• A desk review of relevant literature, project reports, scientific research, and government documents on CSA and bird menace in rice.
• Development of rapid assessment tools for structured stakeholder input.
• Key informant interviews with relevant actors (e.g., MoFA, CARP Ghana, CARD, SARI, NGOs (AGRA, JICA, GIZ, Hopeline, PFAG, etc.), farmer representatives).
• A short field visit to the major rice-producing zone to gather first-hand insights from local practitioners.
• Synthesis of findings into a concise report and a separate policy brief.
Duration
• The expected duration for the training is three months.
Qualifications and Experience
• A minimum of a master’s degree in Agriculture, Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA), Pest Control, Agricultural Engineering, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of experience in CSA, rural livelihoods, and agribusiness capacity-building.
• Proven experience in conducting similar assignments, particularly in the rice sector of Ghana and by extension the ECOWAS region.
• Strong knowledge of CSA, bird menace, and pest control techniques.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
• Experience working in Ghana or West Africa will be an added advantage.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: JULY 31, 2025
