USAID-Funded
Farmer-to-Farmer Access to Finance Program
Scope of Work
Fodder Production, Conservation and Utilization Training
Description of the Program:
Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC) serves as the lead implementer for the Farmer-to-Farmer Access to Finance Program (F2F A2F) to address deficits in the financial ecosystem hindering investment and growth in agriculture for individual farmers, as well as micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises through the delivery of volunteer technical assistance. IESC has designed a thematic F2F program to generate sustainable, broad-based economic growth and create jobs in the agricultural sector with a special focus on assistance to women and youth. Focusing on Kenya, Tanzania, and Liberia, the F2F A2F Program will work with local partner organizations and volunteer hosts to field pro bono experts from the U.S. agriculture, corporate, and banking sectors to address systemic capacity constraints for farmers and lenders in each targeted country and unlock finance for improved agricultural production leading to utilization of agricultural technologies and increased sales and incomes.
Problem Statement:
Dairy feeding constitutes between 60% and 80% of overall production costs for smallholder farms in Kenya, so efficient feeding can significantly increase farmers’ profit margins. Fodder and forage are the most valuable and cheapest sources of food for livestock, and they are a rich source of nutrition. With quality nutritional fodder, milk production can be increased significantly.
A significant proportion of dairy cow’s nutritional needs are met when using appropriate quality and quantity fodder and forages, rather than the more expensive compound feeds. A dairy cow can produce up to 20 litres of milk a day on a balanced forage feed with no compound feeds (SNV, 2013). Studies show that Kenyan smallholder farmers’ exposure and awareness of different fodder crops is high, but only 55% grow at least one fodder type on their farms (SNV, 2013). Additionally, frequent droughts and poor land use practices have significantly contributed to degradation and loss of natural pastures(Omollo, 2017).
Most smallholder dairy farmers in Kenya have significant knowledge gaps in fodder production, conservation and utilization. F2F A2F is therefore seeking a volunteer expert to support a dairy cooperative in Kenya by training its members on fodder production, conservation and utilization. This assignment will contribute to the development of more profitable dairy enterprises that are more attractive to various sources of capital.
Objectives of the Assignment:
1. Conduct a rapid needs assessment of the dairy farmers’ practices and identify gaps.
2. Customize a fodder production, conservation and utilization training, informed by the rapid assessment findings.
3. Train ToTs and farmers on fodder production, conservation and utilization.
Deliverables:
1. Rapid needs assessment report
2. Training materials customized
3. List of people trained
4. A PowerPoint presentation highlighting the achievements and recommendations from the assignment
5. Trip report
Anticipated In-Country Schedule:
|
Day |
Activity |
Location |
Estimated days |
|
Pre-departure |
|
|
2 |
|
Day 1 |
|
USA-Nairobi |
1 |
|
Day 2 |
|
Nairobi |
1 |
|
Day 3 |
|
Nairobi- Eldoret |
1 |
|
Days 4 - 5 |
|
Nandi |
2 |
|
Day 6 |
|
Nandi |
1 |
|
Days 7 - 8 |
|
Nandi |
2 |
|
Day 9 |
|
Nandi |
1 |
|
Days 10 - 12 |
|
Nandi |
3 |
|
Day 13 |
|
Nandi |
1 |
|
Day 14 |
|
Nandi- Nairobi |
1 |
|
Day 15 |
|
Nairobi- USA |
1 |
|
Total |
|
|
15 |
F2F Programmatic Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan (PERSUAP) Requirements:
This assignment will be a Type 2 Assignment: These assignments do not involve recommending or providing advice on specific pesticide active ingredients or products. The volunteer will likely be in the field and when the opportunity arises, the volunteer shall encourage good practices in pesticide use and IPM and discourage poor practices.
Volunteer Outreach:
USAID and IESC encourage all F2F A2F volunteers to participate in public outreach. An important objective of the program is to increase awareness of Americans’ good work in developing countries. Volunteers should select at least one outreach activity from the list below, to be completed within one month of return to the US:
Write an entry for the IESC website.
Post a photo, video, or text related to the F2F A2F assignment on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, personal website or other social media site, and send a link to IESC staff.
Send a press release to a local newspaper in the volunteer’s hometown. (IESC can provide a template)
Write something for an alumni or professional association newsletter, or other publication. (IESC can help as needed).
Give a presentation about the F2F A2F assignment to colleagues, students, religious group, rotary club, etc.
Send an email about F2F A2F to friends, family, or colleagues.
Requested Expertise of Volunteer Expert:
A master's or doctoral degree in agriculture, veterinary science, animal science, dairy science, or a closely related area
At least 10 years of experience working with dairy cattle.
Hands-on experience in dairy farm management
A good understanding of animal health, nutrition and bovine behavior
Experience working in Kenya and/or the region is a plus.
Strong leadership and communication skills and capacity to plan strategically and flexibly.
Experience delivering group training.
Sufficiently physically fit, with appropriate medical clearance.
Writing Skills: reporting requires good computer skills including working and generating reports with MS Word. Experience with PowerPoint presentations is desirable.
Good writing and analytical skills, interpersonal communication, and presentation skills (adult education skills), ability and desire to teach in both classroom and field settings
All F2F A2F volunteers must be US citizens or permanent residents