Provision of Consultancy Services to Develop a Subscription Based Herd Management Plan (HMP) for Small Holder Farmers
Terms of Reference
Request for Applications
Applications are invited from Technical Consultants to develop a subscription based Herd
Management Plan (HMP) for smallholder farmers.
Background Information
Available literature on the Kenyan dairy sector mentions that 30% of
milk produced is attributed to breed potential while the balance of 70%
is attributed to animal husbandry which includes feeding, animal health
and calf rearing among others.
The current production status of
the Kenyan dairy herd is low with an average of 4-5 liters a day or a
lactation of 1,200 - 1,400 liters per year compared to over 5,000 liters
per year in South Africa and 8,000L per year in Denmark.
The low
figures in Kenya are attributed to poor animal health, breeds and
feeding regimens, resulting from a myriad of constraints including poor
access to information, low and inconsistent quality of feeds and
extension services due to lack of adherence of standards and high cost
of inputs.
The high cost of inputs often limits the use of quality inputs which then have a negative impact on productivity.
Therefore,
there is an opportunity to significantly improve productivity and
profitability of dairy herds among smallholder farmers by developing and
promoting a plan for organized routine and management practices,
accomplished through disease and parasite control, reproduction and
nutrition management.
TechnoServe, a non-profit organization
that develops business solutions to poverty by linking people to
information, capital and markets, is one of the implementing partners of
the Kenya Market Assistance Program (MAP).
This initiative is being implemented by a consortium of five organizations that include Kenya Market Trust (KMT) as the lead.
The
Program aims to improve the performance of key market systems important
to poor people in Kenya by addressing systemic constraints found in
those market systems.
MAP is using the making markets work for
the poor approach, which DFID has used to produce results in most of its
private sector development work.
Overall, the objective of MAP will be measured against three key outcomes:
Major systemic change achieved in 3 to 5 market systems, resulting in
aggregate average growth of 10% per annum above overall growth of the
economy, with the position of poor people (both men and women) improving
at a rate significantly greater than this.
At least 400,000 poor
people (as producers, employees, etc) positively affected at the end of
MAP in terms of new jobs created, and incomes for 100,000 people
increase by 10%.
A 30% increase in peer perceptions of partners’
effectiveness and in stakeholders’ awareness and understanding of the
approach.
TechnoServe is facilitating MAP Dairy Sector Strategy,
to address systemic constraints related to service markets feeding into
dairy and the processes of formalizing supply chains.
We are
supporting interventions to address market failures towards increased
adoption of breeding services (focus artificial insemination (AI)) and
penetration of quality assured breed and animal health care services in
the rural areas; stimulating a commercial fodder and concentrate feeds
market to help farmers optimize the returns from their herds’ genetic
potential; and supporting growth of cold supply chain through
alternative investment models and strategies.
To achieve this
Dairy Sector Strategy goal of increasing small holder productivity, MAP
is facilitating a management program related to breeding, fodder and
veterinary care for small holder farmers.
MAP
is interested in piloting a comprehensive herd management program,
integrating preventative medicine, quality assured breeding services
(focus on AI), nutrition and scheduled herd visits to review and advice
on herd performance.
Statement of Purpose
MAP
proposes to develop an integrative program of health, reproduction and
nutrition management to address inputs and service delivery constraints
in dairy farming.
This will entail research into:
Common diseases and health concerns in dairy,
Minimum nutritional requirements,
Standard breeding (AI) and veterinary services, and
Identification of reputable input suppliers of breeding, vet-care and feeds.
This
information will guide the development of a subscription based Herd
Management Plan for roll out by dairy hubs, agro-vets and other dairy
service providers (including Breeding and Veterinary Service Providers
and industry level organizations).
The plan should ensure that
farmers have access to vital inputs and services, to influence
productivity and running of progressive and profitable farms.
The Herd Management Plan will include:
Individual farmers registering their animals into the program.
Cost effective subscription based services for three levels of subscribers (Gold, Silver and Bronze).
Total service delivery fees including treatment, supplies and transport costs factored in the subscription fees.
Assignment objectives
The overall goal of the HMP is to:
Improve sales and effectiveness of service delivery to small holder
dairy farmers through an integrative program of health, reproduction and
quality management.
Improve sales of supplies and services to small holder farmers through a cost effective subscription plan.
Improve operational efficiency among service providers including dairy hubs, AI and vet service providers.
Click here to read a detailed terms of reference
Tentative budget
We invite the prospective Consultant to provide a quotation for this piece of work together with an estimate of expenses.
Submission and receipt of proposals
The completed technical and budget proposals must be delivered via email address below:
ke-procurement@tns.org
So as to be received on or before 4.00 pm, 20th June, 2013
Any proposal received after the time for submission will not be evaluated.