I. Background
The International Potato Center (CIP) has developed a novel approach that integrates research and development activities aimed at commercializing the Root and Tuber Crops (RTC) subsector (with focus on potato, sweetpotato and cassava). The goal is to increase the subsectorโs contribution to food and nutrition security, incomes, job creation and economic growth in Malawi. Funded by the Embassy of Ireland to Malawi, the 4-year project namely โMarket-led Transformation of the Root and Tuber Crops Subsector (RTC-MARKET)โ started on 1st May 2023 and planned to achieve this through four main objectives: (i) To develop and promote improved RTC varieties, technologies and knowledge to support commercial production, value addition and linkages to domestic and international markets; (ii) To enhance availability and access to quality RTC seed and other inputs; (iii) To increase production of quality RTCs for domestic and export markets and food and nutrition security; and (iv) To increase private sector investment and capacity in commercial processing and marketing of quality RTC value added products for domestic and export markets.
To accomplish its deliverables, CIP seeks to engage the services of an experienced Agronomist consultant who has an experience in market/business development model to review and fine-tune the model for driving RTC commercialisation as per project focus and, accordingly, assist in developing a comprehensive framework for monitoring and evaluation of transformation and commercialisation of the RTC-subsector
II. Objective
In executing this assignment, the consultant will undertake the following specific tasks:
ยท Distribution of clean planting materials and mounting of demo plots and experiments
ยท Conduct field days in successful demo plots in conjunction with DAES
ยท Conduct progress review meetings with district partners
ยท Represent CIP in DAECC and DNCC at respective districts
ยท Conduct training of trainers and farmers on seed multiplication, production, harvesting, and marketing of sweetpotato
ยท Facilitate formation and build capacity of cooperatives and Farmer groups
ยท Compilation of activity and annual report
ยท Data collection from screen houses and tissue culture lab on production of early generation potato and sweetpotato seed
ยท Co-manage screen houses with DARS
ยท Promotion of sweetpotato as a commercial crop
ยท Implement and translate research protocols into fields experimental design and layout
ยท Support scientists to establish on-station experiments to evaluate, validate and demonstrate various technologies
ยท Organize technology field days and field evaluation sessions.
ยท Coordinate with RTC DARS scientists in carrying out research activities.
ยท Develop action plans to facilitate implementation of experimental activities
ยท Contribute to the development of annual work plan, technical reports, project success stories.
ยท Support data entry.
ยท Produce monthly reports on the progress of research activities
III. Deliverables
ยท Site identification, soil sampling
ยท Training of seed multipliers and facilitation of seed inspection
ยท Training of trainers on seed and root production
ยท Implementation of on-farm trials and demos
ยท Contribute to the development of annual work plan, technical reports, project success stories
ยท Monitoring of intervention sites and report writing
Requirements
- BSc degree in agriculture.
- Experience in training of trainers and farmers on seed multiplication, root production, harvesting and storage.
- Facilitate Registration and monitoring of Decentralized Vine Multipliers by Seed Service Unit (SSU).
- Lay out of on-station and on-farm field experiments.
- Data collection from experiments, entry and analysis.
- Report writing.
- Expert in planning and distributing sweetpotato planting materials in the RTC implementing districts.
- Minimum of 6 years of experience working for donor-funded agricultural development projects.
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