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Afghanistan Seed Policy Specialist

Request for Expression of Interest (REOI)

Afghanistan Improving Agricultural Inputs Delivery System (IAIDS) project

International Position

Seed Policy Specialist

Country: Afghanistan Project Id: P120397 Project Name: AF: Improving Agric. Inputs Delivery System (IAIDS) Loan Info.: TF 99595 Country: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Name of the project: Improving Agriculture Input Delivery System (IAIDS) Consulting Services: Consultant for revising Seed Policy Project ID: P120397 Grant No. TF099595 REOI No: MAIL/IAIDS/SN/13 Advertizing Date: 03-October-2011 Closing Date: 18-October-2011

Expression of Interest

The Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) intends to finance the assignment described below under ARTF Grant No: TF099595, administered by The World Bank.

Project Background

Building on the Agriculture Master Plan, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GoA) in collaboration with its development partners has defined a number of appropriate priorities for agricultural investments and policies under the National Agricultural Development Framework (NADF). In order to increase farmers’ incomes and improve the food security situation, the GoA is giving foremost attention to strengthening of the agricultural production base. In this respect the government has asked the World Bank for assistance in strengthening agricultural input supply systems. Specifically, the GoA has requested the World Bank for assistance in the preparation of the Improving Agricultural Inputs Delivery System (IAIDS) project that will consist of the following four components: i) Improve seed production and certification; ii) Establish infrastructure and policies regarding quality control and safe use of fertilizers and agrochemicals; iii) Improve input delivery systems; iv) Establish efficient project management, implementation and coordination mechanisms.

The development objective of IAIDS project is to increase adoption of improved crop production technologies through expanding development of certified seeds and improving access to agricultural inputs of reliable quality. Details of the project components and activities included in each component summarized below:

Component A: Improved Seed Production and Certification. This component will assist the GoA in building a sustainable seed production system that produces the required quantities of seed of the varieties that are needed and that is economically and commercially viable. Given that wheat is Afghanistan’s main staple crop, the emphasis in this component will be on wheat seeds, but the needs and possibilities to diversify towards other crops (vegetables, commercial and other food crops) will be explored and given attention as well. The program will strengthen all elements of the seed production system from variety research to the production of certified seed, including seed quality and certification and distribution and promotion of the rational use by farmers of the improved seed, as well as assist in the affirmation and establishment of a legal and regulatory framework. It will build on the existing institutional system, while developing local capacity for transitioning to national systems with minimal external support.

Component B: Quarantine Networks and Quality Control of Agro-chemicals. This component will support the completion and operationalization of the institutional and regulatory framework for quality and safety standards of fertilizers and other agro- chemicals, including an input certification system. A quality verification system supported by mobile phone applications will be explored to support checks by farmers and traders. The first phase of the project will also equip a quality control laboratory for agrochemicals; and provide capacity building in the areas of laboratory testing of agrochemicals and safe handling and application of agrochemicals for traders, MAIL extension workers, and farmers. The second phase of the project will support expansion of quality control laboratories for fertilizers and agro-chemicals to entry points for imports.

Component C: Improved and Expanded Delivery Systems. This component will start with a series of survey-based studies to get a better handle on the functioning of the certified seed production chain, farm-level input use and input distribution systems. The results of the studies will be used to develop an action plan for investments required to improve input delivery to farmers and better tailor supply to demand. The surveys will be followed by the operationalization of the action plan. This may include strengthening and expanding Ag Depot and Farm Service Center programs; piloting creation of alternative forms of input delivery systems with farmer groups, CDCs etc; and education and extension programs to demonstrate selected input technology packages as well as farm machinery and equipment.

Component D: Project Implementation and Management. The project will be implemented by MAIL. The following main technical Directorates from the MAIL side will be involved in the preparation and implementation of the proposed project: (i) for Component A (Improved Seed Production and Certification): Improved Seeds Enterprise (ISE); (ii) for Component B (Quarantine Networks and Quality Control for Agro-chemicals); Plant Protection Directorate (PPD) and Quality Control Directorate (QCD); (iii) for Component C (Improve and Expand Input Delivery System): QCD and Private Sector Directorate (PSD); and (iv) for Component D: (Project Management, Coordination, Monitoring & Evaluation): General Directorate for Programs (GDP).

The project will start with a 9-month preparation phase for which it is seeking a seed policy specialist for the review and updating and/or preparation of amendments for the National Seed Law, the National Seed Policy with supporting documents like Seed Rules and Regulations, as well as drafting an organizational structure with institutional mandates for each actor in the seed production system.

Objectives of the Consultancy

With a special focus on wheat, the main objectives/outputs of the consultancy are:

  1. Major policy issues regarding seed production and distribution clarified and agreed with major stakeholders and policy makers;
  2. Institutional structures and mandates within the seed sector clarified and agreed with major stakeholders and policy makers;
  3. Seed Law, Seed Policy and Seed Rules and Regulations reviewed and updated;
  4. Official approval and endorsement processes for organizational structure and mandates, revised Seed Law, Seed Policy and seed rules and regulations initiated;
  5. Plan for transition of organizational structure and institutional mandates from “old” into “new” situation developed.

Scope of the Consultancy

The Afghanistan National Seed Law was drafted some four years ago and was recently promulgated. However, the Law has a number of shortcomings that need to be addressed urgently. The seed sector has thus far been guided by a National Seed Policy, prepared in 2005, which is outdated and does not address some of the current major policy issues. Both the Seed Law and the Seed Policy are in need of revision and updating. Effectively, the seed sector has thus far functioned on the basis of a set of Rules and Regulations, covering mostly the operational and technical aspects, but which will need to be adapted to the re-formulated Seed Law and Seed Policy. Major actual policy issues that need to be addressed include sustainability issues such as institutional structure, production targets, subsidies, role of private sector, etc. The FAO intends to field a mission in April 2011 that will re-formulate the rules and regulations for the seed system. In the Preparation phase for the IAIDS project it is intended to complement this exercise by reviewing the Seed Law and Seed Policy and developing concepts for the transition of the seed system from a donor supported, subsidy driven program into a viable market-based public private partnership. This requires an in-depth analysis of the actual situation, extensive interactions and consultations with all stakeholders, and close collaboration with MAIL’s legal department and other legislative bodies. Future policies regarding the seed sector need to be decided upon in consensus with stakeholders and policy makers and the enactment/approval process of the various documents initiated. These tasks need to be fulfilled by a highly qualified international specialist, preferably backed up by a relevant organization or institute. It is envisaged that 2.5 months will be devoted to this task – the remaining two weeks will be spent on providing technical input into the three surveys that will be carried out during the preparation phase of the project (i.e. certified wheat chain survey, farm level survey on crop production, and input distribution survey) in close collaboration with the International Seed Specialist Consultant.

There will be a national counterpart who will facilitate the work of the international specialist. The international specialist is foreseen to require three months, spread over nine months and three missions to Afghanistan. The national specialist will be allocated for the entire preparation phase (i.e. nine months).

Deliverables The main outputs will include:

  1. The Seed Law reviewed and (if necessary) an amendment prepared;
  2. An updated National Seed Policy;
  3. Seed Rules and Regulations commensurate with Seed Law and Seed Policy;
  4. Processes started for the official endorsement/enactment of the above documents;
  5. An officially endorsed organizational structure for the seed sector demarcating institutional settings, mandates and responsibilities.

Qualifications

The following qualifications are required for the International Consultant Seed Policy Specialist:

• Advanced degree in Agricultural Economics or related discipline from a reputable university; • Preferably belonging to, or having access to a policy research or other relevant institute, which can provide technical back-up; • Proven minimum 5- 8 years experience in seed law and policy, and regulatory services in this field; • Proven recent field experience with organizational and policy advisory tasks, preferably in post-conflict contexts - essential; • Experience of working for World Bank funded programs would be an advantage; • Fluency in English language (written and spoken) - essential; • Proven communications and reporting skills.

Reporting

The Consultant is expected to provide the following outputs, as per the schedule given below:

Product Due date (1) Inception Report incl. outline of the approach, methodology and work plan 15 days after first arrival (2) Draft concepts for amendments in Seed Law, Seed Policy, rules and regulations and organizational structure 120 days after start of the contract (3) Presentation of draft report to the client and stakeholders 150 days after arrival (4) Progress reports after each visit of the institutional consultant 7 days after each mission (5) Submission of final versions of amendments to Seed Law, Seed Policy, seed rules and regulations, and organizational structure - as well as a final report incorporating all feedback received 180 days after arrival

Duration of Consultancy: 3 months

Submission Guideline: Send your CV to: General Directorate of Programs, and HR Department Contracted Staff Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Address: Kabul University Road, Kabul, Afghanistan Email: assad.zamir@mail.gov.af, vacancies@mail.gov.af