RFP - For conducting Comprehensive study on ecological and organic markets for smallholder farmers

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About the Organization

Centre for World Solidarity (CWS) is rooted in Gandhian principles and the concept of ‘world solidarity’ as manifested by its work with diverse grass root level communities, partners and nurturing of other self-reliant sister solidarity institutes for contributing to overall well being of society.

About the Proposal

India’s food system is broken suffering from consequences of ecologically harmful agriculture practices and technologies adopted to boost production in a short span of time. These activities have taken a heavy toll on the environment and human health. Fortunately, there is a growing movement for producing and consuming food that is safe and healthy. Motivated by rising demand, many farmers in India are turning to chemical-free and sustainable agricultural practices. Additionally, a new generation of food-related “ecopreneurs” – encompassing farmer producer organizations, social businesses, restaurants, street vendors, food retailers, processors, and wholesalers – is emerging. These ecopreneurs are committed to transforming the food systems, aiming to create value chains that emphasize not only economic but also social, cultural, nutritional, and ecological values.

Despite the positive shift towards sustainability, ecological smallholder farmers face significant challenges in accessing markets and obtaining fair rates for their produce. They often struggle with inadequate infrastructure, lack of market information, and limited access to credit and financial services. These farmers also face stiff competition from conventional produce, which is often cheaper due to economies of scale and government subsidies. Additionally, there is a lack of consumer awareness and trust in organic and sustainable products, making it difficult for these farmers to secure a premium price. Moreover, the fragmented nature of the supply chain and the dominance of intermediaries often result in lower profits for the farmers.

Under the project ‘Bhoomi Ka – Co-creating Clean, Green, and Fair Food Systems,’ supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Welthungerhilfe (WHH)and implemented by Centre for World Solidarity (CWS), Bhoomi Ka aims to improve the framework conditions for agro-ecological value chains and food systems. This initiative will benefit smallholder producer communities, ecopreneurs, and consumers by building capacities and establishing inclusive ecological value chains. The project will work with 100 FPOs and 100 ecopreneurs across seven states – Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Punjab, and Uttarakhand – to create a more sustainable and equitable food system.

As part of this project, CWS seeks proposals from qualified consultants or organizations to conduct a comprehensive study on markets for smallholder farmers.

Scope of Work

This in-depth study aims to analyse markets of ecological products produced by the smallholder farmers. The study will provide actionable insights into market challenges and opportunities, supporting the development of sustainable and fair market access for smallholders’ farmers and FPOs.

Objective for Policy Study

• Analyze current market trends, opportunities, and challenges for ecological/organic smallholder farmers and FPOs to access markets.
• Assess the infrastructure and logistics requirements for smallholder farmers to access these markets.
• Recommend strategies to enhance market access and ensure fair pricing for smallholder farmers.
• Develop Policy Recommendations and Advocacy Strategies to be used in policy dialogues and national and state-level campaigns.

Deliverables:

• Inception Report
• Questionnaire, methodology to be put as annex of the report.
• Raw data in excel sheet with clean headers & sections.
• Draft Report and Presentation of the Analysis
• Final Report along with actionable recommendation and strategies 

Eligibility

• An advanced degree or equivalent experience in Agriculture, rural markets, rural development.
• Knowledge/experience on ecological farming and certification process/ PGS/Value chain of ecological produce related topics is an advantage.
• At least 8-10 years of experience working on and evaluating development projects.
• Knowledge of the country’s contexts, especially in northern India is a must.
• Proficiency in data analysis (both qualitative and quantitative)
• Clear, effective writing skills in in English. 

How to Apply

The final proposal to be submitted to tender@cwsorg.in within 15 days from the publication of the advertisement.

Proposals should include the following:

• Detailed organization/consultant profile, including relevant experience and expertise in similar study, knowledge about Organic agri/food market.
• Detailed approach and methodology. The methodology section should cover
• Research Design: Describe the overall approach, framework and sampling method of the study.
• Data Collection Methods: Specify the techniques and tools for gathering data (e.g., surveys, interviews, experiments).
• Data Analysis Plan: Outline the methods for analysing the collected data (e.g., statistical analysis, thematic analysis).
• Data Collection Instruments : eg surveys/ questionnaires, interview guides, Focus Group Discussions (FGD) guides, etc.

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Tags Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Leadership Others