Objective of the assignment

The consultant will perform market research on the demand and supply of post-harvest and preservation equipment, concentrating on the drivers, variables influencing demand, and how smallholder farmers, including women, hosts and refugees gain access to this equipment. The analysis will identify factors influencing demand, understand appropriate distribution models for the equipment, and establish market entrance opportunities for this equipment.

Furthermore, according to the field observations, much of the available post-harvest equipment on the market is large and unsuitable for the volumes and crops produced by SHFs, women, and refugees. Similarly, most crops grown by smallholder farmers, women, and refugees, such as sesame, mung beans, millet, and others, still lack machinery for threshing, harvesting, shelling, and so on. As a result, this consulting firm tries to investigate some of the valued crops that lack post-harvest equipment, as well as the necessity to adapt or develop new equipment.

This research will also focus on investigating the opportunities to improve storage and preservation strategies for perishable items (fruits and vegetables) at the farm and the aggregation level. This could include solar powered cold rooms at the aggregation level, local drying technologies, or solar drying technologies for fruits and vegetables at both the farm and aggregation level. This TOR also looks to understand the opportunities to use preservation equipment for first-mile transportation to preserve quality during transport.

Scope of work

Conduct market research to gain a thorough understanding of the demand and supply of post-harvest handling equipment, and preservation and drying technologies with a particular emphasis how to best ensure smallholder farmers, including women and refugees access this equipment.

Map the existing and new post-harvest handling and preservation and drying practices and equipment (e.g. shellers, threshers, cleaners, harvesters, as well as solar cooling houses, drying technologies, or transportation equipment or technology) in the different regions of northern Uganda focused on CSJ target groups: women, refugees, and hosts. Determine other types of equipment that SHFs might be interested in using, for instance, new equipment that is not yet in NU.
Create a list of equipment providers that are providing this equipment, including for new equipment, which may include equipment providers that may be based outside of Uganda.
Determine how best to increase the adoption of this equipment for socially excluded groups, such as women and refugees. Also explore the opportunity for modification and development of equipment to suit these SHFs’ needs and volume, which will improve their demand for the equipment.
Make recommendations for adaption of equipment within other less served value chains, based on the suitability of smallholder farmers’ crops and volumes, especially for female or refugee-oriented crops. For instance, this should include a list of popular crops that still lack post-harvest equipment including those produced by women and refugees. It could also explore the crops that require perseveration or cooling, with a particular focus on women, hosts, and refugees.
Undertake a cost-benefit analysis of adopting mechanisation versus manual processing, or the losses farmers are incurring because of storage or transport versus the benefits of using preservation equipment.
Recommend a way forward for CSJ to drive increased adoption of the equipment through private sector actors.
Deliverables

Draft report, no longer than 20 pages, appendices can be an additional count.
Powerpoint presentation of the draft report eCz5PdG veIMj
Final report no longer than 20 pages. Final powerpoint presentation.
Expertise and experience

A deep understanding of the post-harvest value chain, including knowledge of preservation techniques and equipment used in the agricultural sector, with a focus on small-scale operations to assess equipment suitability for local conditions.
Proven experience conducting market research, including demand analysis, supply chain evaluation, and distribution assessments
Familiarity with the crops and agricultural practices common among smallholder farmers, women, and refugees, particularly in the regions of interest.
Strong capabilities in conducting financial feasibility studies, pricing strategies and cost-benefit analyses for introducing new technologies into a market.
Understanding of effective distribution channels and strategies for reaching smallholder farmers, including vulnerable groups in remote areas.
A minimum of a master's degree in a relevant field such as Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Economics, Engineering, or Business with a focus on agribusiness.