DEADLINE: 25TH AUGUST, 2023
SAHEL CONSULTING AGRICULTURE AND NUTRITION LIMITED
ADVANCING LOCAL DAIRY DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA (ALDDN)
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR PROGRAM IMPLEMENTING CONTRACTOR
SYNOPSIS OF THIS REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
| Project | Advancing Local Dairy Development in Nigeria (ALDDN) |
| Jurisdiction | Nigeria |
| Issuing Office & Email for Submission of Proposals | Dr. Ibrahim YusufEmail: iyusuf@sahelconsult.comAndFisayo KayodeEmail: fkayode@sahelconsult.comSahel Consulting Agriculture & Nutrition Limited12 Clement Isong Street, Asokoro, 900103,FCT – Abuja, Nigeria. |
| Deadline for Receipt of Proposals | Please email proposals by 25 August 2023 to the email iyusuf@sahelconsult.com and fkayode@sahelconsult.com |
| Point of Contact | Fisayo Kayode fkayode@sahelconsult.com |
| Basis for Selection | Sahel will select program implementing partner(s) through a fair and transparent process. Proposals will be evaluated using the criteria outlined in Section III of the RFP |
ALDDN PROGRAM OVERVIEW
(1.1) Background
Sahel Consulting Agriculture and Nutrition Ltd (Sahel) is a leading management consulting firm focused on the agricultural and nutrition sectors in Africa. We partner with government agencies, private sector companies, and leading international development organizations to conduct research, analyze policies, develop strategies, and implement programs that promote sustainable food security and improved nutrition. Since our inception in 2010, we have worked on a variety of projects across West Africa in collaboration with public, private, and nonprofit organizations and development partners.
(1.2) Program Objectives
Sahel would like to engage a program implementing contractor on the ongoing Advancing Local Dairy Development in Nigeria (ALDDN) program which catalyzes a vibrant local dairy sector in an inclusive way that improves the livelihoods, productivity, nutrition, and empowerment of smallholder women dairy farmers and the communities in which they live. More specifically, the program:
(1) Advocates for an enabling environment for local sourcing through engagements with the government and relevant private sector stakeholders.
(2) Increases demand for locally sourced milk through partnerships with dairy processors currently or interested in sourcing locally.
(3) Improves smallholder dairy farmers’ productivity by increasing their access to technical support services and right inputs.
(4) Empowers women dairy farmers and enable them to improve their livelihoods and that of their households.
(5) Improves nutrition outcomes among smallholder dairy households through food systems entry points.
(1.3) Program Scope
The program, which commenced in 2020 will run for five years and is being implemented in partnership with 5 dairy processors across 6 states including Adamawa, Taraba, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi and Plateau, reaching a total of 15,000 dairy households. This is subject to change as approved by the funder. Interventions being implemented are:
Interventions Components 1. Farmers’ Organization 1. Identification & Integration of dairy farmers into partnering dairy processors’ formal value chain.
2. Facilitating the formation and strengthening of Self-Help Groups (SHGs)2. Infrastructure Development 3. Construction of energy-efficient water resources (e.g., solar-powered boreholes)
4. Procurement and distribution of milk cans to integrated dairy households.
5. Construction of milk collection centers and points6. Procurement and deployment of milk evacuation vehicles3. Productivity Improvement 7. Commercial feed & fodder production
8. Provision of genetics & breeding services to eligible farmers
9. Provision of animal health services to participating farmers4. Financial Inclusion & Income Diversification Support 10. Provision of financial inclusion services11. Provision of income support and diversification activities, particularly for women dairy farmers 5. Training & Extension, Advocacy and Behavior Change 12. Content development and dissemination of training through various mediums (e.g., in-person, digital, radio, etc.)
13. Advocacy and support programs to identify and promote men as gender empowerment champions within the communities6. Policy Advocacy to Support a Thriving Dairy Sector 14. Fund economically robust analyses of policy reform opportunities on import tariffs and levies
15. Support convenings with the government (e.g., Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Trade & Investment) and relevant stakeholders such as the National Commercial Dairy Farmers Association, leading dairy processors, to discuss and recommend a dairy development strategy and related policy options.
16. Provide technical and advisory support to strengthen dairy industry associations to enable them to effectively advocate for an enabling environment for the industry
See appendix for more details on each intervention.
(2.0) Request for proposal
(2.1) Overview
Sahel is seeking to bring on board and collaborate with a reputable and experienced organization to implement Artificial Insemination (AI) intervention as part of the Productivity Improvement component of ALDDN.
The Artificial Insemination (AI) intervention seeks to enhance the milk production potential of local cattle breeds and effectively multiply the income generation potential of the participating farmers. The AI intervention will ultimately enable ALDDN achieve the following:
(1) Improved, demand-driven, delivery and supply of breeding services at the farm level in communities and clusters.
(2) Improved knowledge, attitude, and skills of smallholder dairy farmers as it concerns adoption of AI practices and management of their cattle prior to, during, and after AI.
(3) Enhanced milk production of indigenous breeds.
(4) Increased incomes and improved livelihoods of small dairy farmers.
(2.2) Scope
This intervention will provide AI services to eligible, integrated smallholder dairy farmers in the program implementation areas in Adamawa and Plateau states.
The selected contractor will conduct AI services for farmers within Sebore Farms catchment area (Adamawa State) and Integrated Dairy LTD (Plateau State). Upon good service delivery and desirable outcome, the contract may be extended to other states.
The selected contractor will ensure that benefiting farmers will have demonstrated a record of adherence to good animal feeding and health management practices and have a plan to manage crossbreds.
The contractor will also build the capacity of 20 AI technicians to continue providing AI services to farmers in catchment areas beyond the program lifetime. Deliberate efforts will be made to recruit women technicians.
Key success factors for AI include:
(1) Robust farmers’ sensitization on AI to secure their buy-in and their adoption of good animal feeding & management practices pre, during and post-AI.
(2) Well-trained and organized AI technicians to ensure that they are knowledgeable and skilled. They also need proper monitoring for quality control, have access to ongoing training as well as access to quality inputs and equipment.
(3) Vet services including prophylactic treatments, vaccination, deworming, and extension support are critical to address health and other problems pre, during and post AI to ensure potential issues are mitigated.
(4) Access to quality inputs, including healthy semen, semen extender, liquid nitrogen for proper conservation is key to AI success.
The contractor will work closely with the ALDDN Team to screen and select suitable local cows for AI from the herd of identified smallholder farmers participating in the ALDDN program.
Over a period of 4 months starting from October 2023, the contractor will inseminate 500 cows in Sebore Farms and IDL in Adamawa and Plateau states and provide post insemination management and monitoring through pregnancy and calving period. This should result in at least 350 (70%) pregnancy rate and 250 (50%) parturitions. The neonates (newborn calves) will also be provided with calf care in the early days of their lives.
Semen to be used for the AI should be gotten from any of the following breeds of cattle;
(1) Friesian
(2) Ayrshire
(3) Gurnsey
(4) Jersey
(2.3) Duration
The engagement on the program is expected to commence in September 2023 and end in September 2024 (12 months).
