TUUNGANE creating a heathy future for people and nature
INVITATION FOR BIDS TO PROVIDE SHORT TERM CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO SUPPLY CUTTINGS OF CASSAVA VARIETY WHICH IS RESISTANT TO CASSAVA MOSAIC VIRUS IN BUHINGU WARD
1.0 Background
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Pathfinder International (PI) in Tanzania are jointly implementing an integrated Program known as Tuungane which addresses Population, Health and Environment (PHE). Agriculture which forms the main livelihood activity on the terrestrial environment has been blamed for the increasing siltation of Lake Tanganyika through unsustainable farming practices. To reduce the soil sediments that have adverse effect to the lake fisheries productivity, Tuungane program aims at supporting smallholder farmers in the Greater Mahale Ecosystem (GME) in improving their agricultural practices through adoption of conservation agriculture/Climate Smart Agriculture.
Cassava Mosaic Virus (CMV) disease has been adversely affecting the conventional cassava varieties grown in Buhingu ward which significantly reduce their production and food security. Tuungane program is aiming at improving food security in Buhingu ward by increasing the number of farmers engaged in production of CMV resistant cassava varieties. The program will support selected Community Agriculture Workers (CAWs) and farmers with CMV resistant cassava cuttings who will multiply and distribute them to their fellow farmers. This undertaking will replace the conventional Cassava varieties which are prone to CMV and increase food security among the local communities. The villages which will be involved in the multiplication of CMV resistant Cassava include Mgambo, Buhingu, Nkonkwa and Katumbi. Currently, Tuungane program is seeking a short-term consultancy services to supply 80,000 cuttings of cassava which are resistant to Cassava Mosaic Virus. The farms from which the cuttings will be obtained will be inspected by the TNC officer to ascertain whether the cassava is resistant to CMV or not. For logistical convenience, the supplier of CMV resistant cassava cuttings should be based in Kigoma region.
2. Consultancy Services
The following is the list of needed consultancy services:
2.1 Identify a cassava variety which is resistant to Cassava Mosaic Virus from which 80,000 cuttings will be obtained.
2.2 Train 40 farmers on basic agronomy of cassava crop production including advantages of growing varieties which are
resistant to Cassava Mosaic Virus.
2.3 Transport 20,000 pieces of cassava cuttings into each of the villages of Mgambo, Buhingu, Nkonkwa and Katumbi (80,000 cuttings in total).
2.4 Distribute 2,000 cassava cuttings to each of the 10 farmers selected in each of the villages in Mgambo, Buhingu, Nkonkwa and Katumbi.
2.5 Ensure that all the 80,000 cuttings are properly planted by the 40 farmers selected in Mgambo, Buhingu, Nkonkwa and Katumbi.
2.6 Prepare and submit to TNC/Tuungane program management a final activity implementation report.
3.0 Eligibility Criteria
Eligible consultants should possess the following minimum qualifications:
- Minimum of Diploma in agronomy or agriculture.
- Has a practical experience of at least 3 years in cassava production
4.0 Application procedures
Interested organizations or individuals with technical skills and appropriate experiences on the above-mentioned assignment are warmly welcome to submit their electronic Technical Proposals which include a well Itemized Financial Budget and activity time schedule on or before 08th December 2021 by email to: [email protected]. Also attach legal business documents as per Government requirements (License, registration, and TIN/VAT number). Please, note that all application received after the deadline will not be honored.
