REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR: Requirement of Agency/Consultant for Evaluating the Impacts and Adoption Dynamics of Improved Rice Management Practices (AWD, DSR, CRM) and Scaling Pathways in Punjab

Date of Issue of RFP	28-11-2025
Last date for seeking clarifications	4-12-2025
Date of Pre-Proposal Meeting (Via VC)	8-12-2025
Last date for Submission of RFP	12-12-2025

 

INTRODUCTION

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a leading conservation organization working to make a positive impact around the world in 76 countries and territories. Founded in 1951, TNC’s mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. With our core values of integrity beyond reproach, respect for people communities and culture, and commitment to diversity we aim at environmental conservation through lasting tangible results.

Nature Conservancy India Solutions Private Limited (NCIS) is a Private Limited Company incorporated under The Companies Act, 2013. It is a subsidiary of The Nature Conservancy, one of the largest not-for-profit conservation organisations in the world. NCIS was incorporated with the objective of providing research, consulting, technical support, and advisory services to various stakeholders in and outside India relating to conservation of nature, environment, biodiversity, and climate change.

TNC launched PRANA (Promoting Regenerative and No-Burn Agriculture) in 2021 to eliminate crop residue burning and advance regenerative agriculture systems. Today PRANA operates across 6,286 villages in 18 districts of Punjab.

To drive this transition, PRANA has expanded its scope to encompass Improved Rice Management (IRM), promoting climate-smart, water-efficient practices such as Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) and Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), along with in-situ crop residue management (CRM) to enhance soil health and water conservation in rice systems. This year, the IRM approach is being implemented across 1,000 villages in 14 districts of Punjab, covering about 70,000 ha area under these practices.

PURPOSE

NCIS invites proposals from qualified agencies or consultants to undertake a comprehensive study on Improved Rice Management practices, including Alternate Wetting and Drying, Direct Seeded Rice, and Crop Residue Management.

The study will assess the following dimensions of IRM interventions:

• Understanding behavioural patterns among farmers, drivers, and barriers to uptake.
• Assess impact on crop yield, farm economics, and cultivation practices.
• Analyzing contributions to sustainability and resource efficiency.

The findings will inform strategic refinements, guide potential scale-up, and support the long- term integration of IRM practices within regenerative agriculture program in Punjab.

Key Objectives/Scope of work

The selected agency/consultant will be responsible for:

Desk Review

• Conducting a desk review of existing literature and data on IRM practices on area, yields, water use, economic and environmental benefits and government policies in Punjab.

Sampling Framework and Survey Design

• Develop a robust sampling strategy covering small/marginal/large farmers from 1000 villages spread across 14 districts on Punjab, with a statistically robust sample size to support evidence-based policy recommendations
• Create data collection tools (quantitative + qualitative).

Primary Data Collection

• Conduct field surveys with farmers.
• Interview field staff, district level coordinators, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Facilitate FGDs, KIIs, and case studies documenting impact stories.

Data Analysis

• Analyse quantitative data for adoption trends, performance metrics, and outcome indicators.
• Interpret qualitative insights to contextualize farmer adoption behaviour.
• Preferred digital tools for data collection and analysis (Kobo Collect/Survey CTO)

Reporting

• Draft interim findings report for review.
• Submit a comprehensive final report including:
  • Impact analysis
  • Adoption trend analysis
  • Case studies
  • Recommendations for improvement and scale-up
  • Provide cleaned datasets and data collection tools used.
  • Policy brief
  • Provide executive summery and presentations to NCIS

PRE-BID QUERIES AND CLARIFICATIONS ON RFP

To clarify technical queries (excluding cost and fee) on RFP, Bidders must submit questions via email to manoj.singh@tnc.org; bhaskar.rattan@tnc.org, and any query relating to cost, bid price, etc. must be submitted to rajeeb.dash@tnc.org; praveen.thakur@tnc.org by no later than 11:59pm IST, 04/12/2025. All the queries received through submitted questions will be addressed during scheduled pre-proposal meeting on 08/12/2025.

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL

Last date for submission of proposal is 12/12/2025., by 11:59pm IST

Technical and Financial Proposals are required in soft copy only. The subject line of the email submission should state “Technical/Financial bid against RFP on Impact assessment of PFR model and will be shared at:

• Financial Bid: rajeeb.dash@tnc.org; praveen.thakur@tnc.org
• Technical Bid: manoj.singh@tnc.org; bhaskar.rattan@tnc.org

To download the full RFP, click here: RFP Improved Rice Management

Tags Food, Agriculture and Nutrition Others