TOR To Conduct Study on Crop Pests and Diseases in OXFAM SOMREP Project Sites (preferably 10 agro-pastoral sites in Sanaag region)

TOR TO CONDUCT STUDY ON CROP PESTS AND DISEASES IN OXFAM SOMREP project sites (preferably 10 agro-pastoral sites in Sanaag region)

 

1. Introduction

Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty. It has been working in Somalia/Somaliland since the 1970s, plays a key foundational role in supporting Somali people and communities to provide development and lifesaving programs.

It supported civil society organizations and has been called by many current and past partners “the mother of Somali civil society.”

Oxfam’s support of women’s rights, advocacy, and gender equality has been a steady component of the program, and many leading advocates for women’s rights, gender equality, and women’s issues were once partners or trainees of Oxfam. We are an international confederation of 19 organizations (affiliates) working together with partners and local communities in humanitarian, development, and campaigning, in more than 90 countries. All our work lead by three core values: Empowerment, Accountability, and Inclusiveness.

In 2021, Oxfam developed a 10-year strategy with new program directions focusing on just economy and economic development, Inclusive governance, gender justice, Conflict-sensitive humanitarian response, and resilience to climate and fragility.

Oxfam is also part of a larger SomRep consortium that operates throughout Somalia/Somaliland. Oxfam was chosen to work in the most challenging and marginalized areas in the Somaliland-El Afweyn district, characterized by recurring droughts and prolonged resource-based/inter-clan conflict.

The Somalia resilience program (SomRep) is a platform formed by seven international non-governmental organizations and one local organization (shaqadoon) to respond to climate-related shocks by introducing resilience and livelihoods interventions targeting the pastoralist, agro-pastoralist in a rural and urban setting. The program aims to build the absorptive, adaptive, and transformative capacities of the people in Somalia by maximizing their capabilities to revive and improve natural resources to manage climate shocks. The consortium is composed of seven international organizations (Oxfam, AAH, Care, DRC, ADRA, COOPI, World Vision and Shaqadoon) which were formed following the famine of 2011 to find better ways to leverage collective sectoral expertise and long-lasting relationships with communities to tackle the root causes of vulnerability and poverty. The Somalia resilience program (SomRep) goal is to increase the resilience of chronically vulnerable Somali people, households, communities, and systems to climate shocks and other related risks in pastoral, agro-pastoral, and peri-urban livelihoods zone.

In this regard, Oxfam Novib is looking for an experienced consultant to provide a short-term consulting service to conduct an assessment of crop pests and diseases. The assessment will inform Oxfam’s future programming in crop protection and pest management response in Somaliland, particularly in the agro-pastoral communities of the Sanaag region. It primarily focuses on pests and diseases that impacted crop yield and will therefore produce reliable information on mitigation/control measures that will guide programs.

1. The agriculture sector in Somaliland

Agriculture—crop production—is the second-most important source of livelihood, following livestock. The main crops planted are cereals and vegetables, with a few fruit plants. Overall, land suitable for agriculture is roughly estimated at 3%; the rest is untapped arable land potential for crop production and livestock husbandry. Of the total land for agriculture, 90% is rain-fed, while only 10% has sufficient water supply throughout the year (these are small-scale irrigated farms). The common cash crops planted include tomatoes, onions, peppers, okra, and leafy vegetables. In addition, vegetable and fruit production are the primary crops that generate good income for the farmers to satisfy basic household needs. The horticultural crops are among the most important food and cash crops grown in Somaliland, mainly under irrigated conditions. It provides essential nutrients for the human diet and is a major source of income for smallholder farmers.

Despite the economic significance of the sector for the country, the sector has been hugely undermined by increasing invasive pests and diseases coupled with rudimentary farming methods that lack modern farming technology, tools, and quality inputs. This caused many farms to become barren and threatened the livelihoods of thousands of households in both urban and rural communities, leading to multiple displacements. Whereby farmers migrate to major cities or some opt for negative coping mechanisms such as tree cutting for charcoal to get a better income source. Many farmers also felt frustration and disappointment because they had no means to control plant pests and diseases. This is exacerbated by the lack of appropriate government-led extension services. The newly established Somaliland agriculture research institute is new and underfunded to mitigate and manage increasing crop pests.

• General objective

The assessment aims to thoroughly study the invasive crop pests and diseases affecting mainly cash crops and fruit trees. The study aims to be conducted in specific agricultural areas of the Sanaag region (10 most affected agricultural sites to be sampled) to identify pests and diseases as well as assess their impact on community livelihoods. The assessment will generate good knowledge and best practices to manage crop pests and diseases. The report will inform future agricultural extension services for both Oxfam and the Somaliland ministry of agriculture.

The specific objectives of the assessment:

• To identify invasive crop pests and diseases affecting the main cash crops and fruit trees
• To assess the overall impact and damage caused by the pests and diseases
• To document best practices and appropriate mitigation strategies against crop pests and diseases
• To provide a full analytic report revealing concrete recommendations regarding the management of crop pests and diseases

1. Methodology

The assessment should use a mixed approach both quantitatively and qualitatively methods. To a great extent, the study should avail qualitative research methods using suitable data tools including but not limited to

• FGDs: mixed groups for male and female farmers
• KIIs: For the chairpersons of the Agri-cooperatives/farmer groups, district/village head, and government authorities etc
• Direct observation/trans walk and farm site visits
• Household questionnaires: To document the impact of crop pests and diseases on the household economy
• Other tools that can generate additional information are welcomed

The above data instruments will also be coupled by an exhaustive desk review of existing literature including previous similar assignments conducted in the country.

1. Expected Deliverables

• Submission of a final analytical report (assessment report) detailing the type and impact of the pests and diseases as well as recommended strategies for mitigation purposes.

1. Scope of the assessment

This assessment will be carried out in 10 selective agro-pastoral communities of Sanaag region (preferably Oxfam operation sites both in El-Afweyn & Erigavo districts- Sanaag regions). The specific villages targeted are Bixin, Ilad, Kalshiek, El-Midgan, Dayaha, Midhiso and plus four locations in Elwafyn to be confirmed .

• Timeline

The assessment should be concluded within 25 days, commencing from the date the contract is signed. The assessment is expected to start by March 15th, 2023, and be completed by the end of March 2023.