ToR - Service provider for conducting assessment and piloting climate-smart solutions in selected farms.

BACKGROUND AND OVERALL OBJECTIVE

Lebanon has been suffering from a severe financial and economic crisis with long-lasting effects on its economy and its people. With the drastic devaluation of the currency, prices of imported items have risen sharply, and households are now increasingly struggling to cover food needs. The combined effects of the crises have resulted in unprecedented levels of unemployment and pushed both the Lebanese population and the approximately 1.5 million Syrian refugees further into poverty. The Lebanese agriculture sector remains one of few sectors where both Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese host communities can legally find employment as well as vulnerable Lebanese host communities but has been particularly hard-hit by the ongoing crises.

The Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) is therefore funding a project aimed at ‘Promoting Decent Jobs for Lebanese host communities and Syrian refugees’ that will be implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The project will focus on the agriculture and agri-food sector as a key sector for the livelihoods of both Lebanese and Syrian vulnerable population groups and in particular women of both communities and aim to develop specific agricultural and agri-food value chains with potential for decent job creation that will benefit both groups.

The project will make use of the ILO’s Approach to Inclusive Market Systems (AIMS)[1] to safeguard jobs and livelihoods of vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian communities threatened by the crises and encourage decent job creation for both groups in sectors with potential.

Within one component, the project focuses on enhancing productivity and working conditions in the horticulture sector by supporting farmers in adopting modern greenhouses and sustainable farming practices, improving productivity, crop quality, and working conditions for both Lebanese and Syrian workers.

Farmers operating in regions affected by water scarcity commonly resort to building wells and pumping groundwater to irrigate greenhouses and farmlands. This widespread practice leads to sinking of ground water levels. As the levels decrease, farmers are compelled to dig even deeper, perpetuating a harmful cycle that jeopardizes water supply and the environment. Moreover, the reliance on expensive generator electricity for water pumping negatively impacts the financial performance of farmers.

In that sense, the project aims to address these challenges by piloting climate-smart solutions on farms in the covered horticulture sector. The ILO plans to implement these solutions on selected farms and disseminate the results.

For the successful adoption of climate-smart and water-efficient technology on a larger scale, it is crucial that the identified solution not only is beneficial for the environment but also directly benefits farmers by reducing production costs. Creating a clear "business case" for investing in climate-smart technology is essential for encouraging widespread adoption.

SCOPE OF WORK

Conduct rapid assessment of available climate-smart solutions for farms

The service provider will conduct an assessment of climate-smart solutions viable for implementation in the covered horticulture sector. This research will entail the analysis of diverse techniques, taking into account factors such as cost-effectiveness, durability, environmental, social and economic sustainability and overall benefits. The assessment should emphasize solutions that not only are beneficial for the environment but also directly benefit farmers by reducing production costs or improving crop quality, thereby achieving higher income for farmers. To achieve this, it is crucial to collect data on the cost of each solution for farmers, taking into account the capital required for implementation.

The overarching goal of the research is to provide valuable insights and information that will guide the selection of innovative techniques for piloting on farms. The selected solution must be accompanied by a feasibility plan, ensuring a well-documented and practical approach to implementation.

Moreover, the assessment aims to pinpoint the most suitable locations for piloting the recommended climate-smart solutions. This entails considering factors such as climate conditions, farmers' willingness to innovate, and incentives for adopting new practices.

To validate the study's findings, focus group discussions with farmers will be conducted in the selected areas. The ultimate selection of a solution will be informed by farmers' willingness to adopt and experiment with these techniques, ensuring a collaborative and sustainable approach to implementation. Additionally, consultations will be held with pertinent stakeholders, and a presentation involving both internal and external participants will be organized.

Selection and implementation of climate-smart solutions in pilot farms

To address environmental challenges while at the same time reducing production costs, the project will collaborate with a service provider to pilot climate-smart solutions in the horticulture sector. The focus will be on assessing the feasibility of implementing technologies that are climate-smart while also proving cost-effective solutions for farms.

The project aims to identify pilot farms to demonstrate that climate-smart solutions can effectively improve water efficiency, be economically viable for farmers, and contribute to the overall sustainability of agricultural practices. The insights gained from this pilot initiative will be used to disseminate information among farmers for broader implementation in the agricultural sector.

This activity includes:

1. Selection of Eligible Farmers:
   1. Identify and select at least 10 farms to pilot the climate-smart and water-efficient solutions, using predefined criteria. The selection criteria will be defined together by the ILO and the service provider.
2. Procurement and Cost Management:
   1. Manage the implementation of the systems through local providers and stakeholders
   2. Coordinate with providers to ensure smooth delivery and distribution of the procured inputs.
3. Implementation of the pilot
   1. Managing the implementation of the pilot, according to climate-smart technology selected this can be adapted accordingly.
   2. Conduct guidance and support to pilot farms regarding the climate-smart technologies implemented

Monitoring and Evaluation of pilots and knowledge dissemination

During the implementation of climate-smart solutions, the service provider will systematically gather information and document results to create a comprehensive knowledge base. This data will be crucial for informing farmers and stakeholders about the efficacy of these solutions.

1. Coordination and Monitoring:
   1. This monitoring process will involve collecting and registering essential information from the participating farmers, such as gender, age, specific crops they are cultivating, as well as the quantities produced.
   2. Monitoring and evaluation of the performance of the climate-smart and water-efficient technology’ pilots, such as the impact on water usage, crop yield, and overall sustainability.
2. Assessment and preparation of dissemination of information strategy
   1. Preparation of dissemination strategy: through the sharing of success stories, practical insights, and economic benefits, the ILO seeks to promote the widespread adoption of climate-smart and water-efficient technologies among farmers.
   2. Conduct field visits with farmers in the pilot farms to see results and progress.

WORK PLAN AND DELIVERABLES

Activity

Deliverable

Timeline (tentative)

Conduct rapid assessment of available climate-smart solutions for farms

Report - rapid assessment of available climate-smart solutions for farms and focus groups results

20 January – 29 February 2024

Identification and selection of pilot farms

Pilot Implementation Plan including the selection of eligible and locations farms.

• • Provide a list of selected farmers for the pilot program with baseline data of selected farmers
  • Provide a list of farmers for the field visits of pilot farms

1- 15 March 2024

Implement pilots and coordination and monitoring

Activity Report detailing the implementation of the pilots

• • Provide a summary of the installation, guidance and support provided to pilot farms regarding the climate-smart technologies implemented.
  • Document the strategies developed to raise awareness among farmers about climate-smart technologies and showcase evidence of their benefits.
  • Showcase evidence through pictures and provide an evaluation of the impact and effectiveness of the support services provided to agrovets and farmers.

15 March – 30 July 2024

Monitoring of implementation and data collection

Final data collection. This may include data on the number of farmers engaged (disaggregated by gender), the amount of land cultivated, crop yields, impact on water usage, and overall sustainability.

• • Showcase evidence through pictures and provide an evaluation of the impact and effectiveness of the pilots on farms

1 August - 30 September 2024

TIMELINE

The work will begin in mid January 2024 and continue until September 2024 (total 8 months).

• All the produced documents will have to be submitted in English. The consultant will also submit to the ILO the following materials:
  1. Electronic copies of all data sets
  2. All quantitative and qualitative data (completed questionnaires, recorded interviews, focus groups, etc.)
  3. Any other documents that will be used or collected in the course of the consultancy

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

1. First payment covering 20% of the full payment, tentatively due by 29 February 2024 upon satisfactory delivery and project approval on the following deliverable:
   • Deliverable 1: Report - rapid assessment of available climate-smart solutions for farms and focus group results
2. Second payment covering 20% of the full payment, tentatively due by 15 March 2024 upon satisfactory delivery and project approval of the following deliverable:
   • Deliverable 2: Pilot Implementation Plan including the selection of eligible and locations farms
3. Third payment covering 30% of the full payment, tentatively due by 30 July 2024 upon satisfactory delivery and project approval of the following deliverable:
   • Deliverable 3: Activity Report detailing the implementation of the pilots
4. Fourth payment covering 30% of the full payment, tentatively due by 30 September 2024 upon satisfactory delivery and project approval of the following deliverable:
   • Deliverable 4: Final data collection

FOCAL POINT (s) AT ILO

The Service Provider will coordinate with Luana Ayala, the Project Technical Officer, and with the backstopping of Federico Barroeta, the Chief Technical Advisor in ILO Beirut Office and with relevant technical departments involved in the ILO Beirut Office and ILO Headquarters.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATION AND APPLICATION

To apply for this assignment the consultant should possess the following qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in technologies related to climate-smart solutions, including demonstrated experience in assessing, implementing, and promoting climate-smart solutions in the agricultural sector.
• Expertise in agricultural practices, with a focus on sustainable and efficient farming methods.
• Proven track record of successfully implementing projects related to climate-smart agriculture, water efficiency, or similar initiatives.
• Excellent research and data analysis skills, including proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• The consultant or the team of consultants should have educational background in a relevant field such as Agriculture, Environmental Science, Agronomy, or a related discipline.
• The service provider should possess  a USD bank account in his/her name for bank transfer payments.

[1] More information on AIMS on www.ilo.org/aims