Call for EOI: Consultant to conduct demonstration models for Climate Resilient Coffee Farming in Vietnam (CRCF)

Background

About SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. We are driven by a vision of a better world: A world where across every society all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably.

To make this vision a reality, we need transformations in vital agri-food, energy, and water systems. SNV contributes by strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships in these sectors. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.

Building on 60 years of experience we support our partners with our technical and process expertise and methodological rigour. We do this in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia with a team of approximately 1,600 colleagues. By being adaptable and tailoring our approaches to these different contexts, we can contribute to impact at scale, resulting in more equitable lives for all.

SNV has been working in Vietnam since 1995 and currently has over 70 national and international experts. SNV Vietnam implements projects in more than 20 provinces across the country, including the poorest and most remote areas.

About the Project on Climate Resilient Coffee Farming in Vietnam (CRCF) project

The Project on Climate Resilient Coffee Farming in Vietnam (CRCF) was approved in the Decision No. 485/QD-UB dated on 2nd February 2024, by the Dak Lak Provincial People’s Committee. The main objective of the project is to support income improvement for small-scale Robusta coffee farmers (about 8.000 households) who have not participated in certified coffee projects and programs, from February 2024 to October 2028.

The objective of this assignment is to establish demonstration models to contribute to increasing income for coffee farming households, in addition to training to improve awareness of farming techniques, rational use of water and agricultural chemicals as well as intercropping. In these demonstration models, synchronous farming techniques shall be applied in the direction of adapting to climate change in localities to increase coffee productivity and diversify income in a sustainable and effective way. Through demonstration models, trainers, group leaders and farmers can grasp the basic processes to apply to their gardens and replicate in surrounding areas.

Objective 1: Controlling the proper use of agricultural chemicals
Objective 2: Increasing coffee productivity and generating income from intercropping
Objective 3: Reducing the application of products causing greenhouse gas emissions

THE ASSIGNMENT

Coordination:

Under the supervision of the Project Manager and close collaboration with the Project Team and maintaining working relationships with other stakeholders and local government units, the Consultant will design, oversee, and ensure the implementation of the demonstration model establishment.

Overall, the tasks shall include the following:

Establish 40 demonstration models (demonstration models) with an area of 0.2 – 0.3 ha per farm cultivated in a sustainable way and have a controlled farm to make the comparison. The controlled farm could be of the same household’s farm or a neighboring farm that is cultivating in the traditional way. Norm: every 200 households make one demo. The current project sites are Ea Kar district, Krong Ana District and Krong Bong District. It will be possible to move to Buon Don District (if there are not enough 6.000 households joining the project at the end of 2025).
Set up the demonstration models including 2 types: Type 1: Farms that need support on agri-practices in an integrated manner. Some may need to be replanted, or uprooted. For all these demo farms, all Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) shall be taught and applied; Type 2: Existing farms that are already properly managed and have all GAPs in place. These farms may need some minor improvements but are mainly intended to be visited by other farmers to learn from. Before conducting the replant demonstration models, the intended farms will be cleared (uprooted and cleared) and designed with contour lines if the land is slopped.
Actively coordinate with SNV project staff and the donor (Tchibo) representative to identify locations to implement models that are suitable for the requirements of the Project and the donor.
Develop the framework plan and detailed schedule for implementation, including content, progress and budget for each activity in the models.
Consult and directly provide and implement activities such as: land preparation (cutting, uprooting old garden trees); farm design, developing and training on technical application processes for farmers to comply with technical requirements, manage models, and implement good agricultural practices
Develop processes and instructions for farmers to manage and operate demonstration models equipment, record all household’s expenses for demonstration models according to the recording form prescribed by the Project.
Coordinate closely with SNV field staff, the Tchibo representative and relevant farmer group leaders as well as local authorities throughout the model implementation process.
Report periodically every 3 months, annually, at the project mid-term and end of the model implementation results and submit financial reports to the Project Manager.
Record all activities (including data according to forms and images, prioritizing multi-dimensional video clips to demonstrate the implementation process).
Issue invoices for services and goods serving the demonstration models.

Expected Outputs/Deliverables:

For Demonstration models type 1: The rate of well-growing coffee trees is over 65% (Grade A), the rate of fairly growing trees is from 30% (Grade B) and the rate of poorly-growing trees is under 5% (Grade C). For type C, it is necessary to replace as soon as possible. The remaining types (Grade A and B) must meet targets 1 and 3 of Section 2, compared to the control.
For Demonstration models type 2: Meet all 3 targets of Section 2, compared to the control. All demonstration models must apply resilient coffee farming practices, including proper shade and wind-break trees; cover ground management with grasses and/or vegetative materials; proper use of water and Agri-chemicals.
Farmers managing the demonstration models have good understanding of the donor and project implementing agency, the objectives and requirements for implementing the demonstration models farm, how the environmental factors and good practices affect demonstration model success. At the same time, they are ready to participate in presentations and guide visiting stakeholders when requested.
The demonstration models sustainable coffee cultivation best practice (in comparison to a control farm adopting traditional practices).
The replanted and rejuvenated demonstration models will apply new robusta coffee varieties with high, stable productivity and the ability to resist leaf rust diseases.
The demonstration models will be intercropped with trees of high economic value such as Pepper, Durian, Macadamia, Areca, Lychee, Longan, etc. The intercropping density must be appropriate, have a complementary effect without creating competition for coffee trees. The economic efficiency of the intercropped coffee garden must be equal to or higher than that of a pure coffee farm on the same area.
The demonstration models will be designed to prevent erosion: Land with a slope of 8⁰ or more will be designed with contour lines and suitable soil cover crops.
The demonstration models will apply the technical process of WASI (Western Highlands Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute) including management of nutrition, soil management, plant protection, irrigation, etc. Also, they should comply with the updated list of plant protection products of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The demonstration models must be near or have an available water source for convenient watering of the demonstration models.
The demonstration models must be near the road that will fit for 16-seat vehicles to enter, convenient for farmers and members to visit, learn and organize training.
The demonstration models must be arranged with an explanatory board including but not limited to: sponsor information, project time, garden diagram and impact criteria.
Farmers implementing the demonstration models must be enthusiastic and cooperative: open and willing to share experiences.

For more details on the Expression of Interest process, submission requirements, and evaluation details, please see corresponding sections below:

Submission Requirements

Interested consultant firms should submit the EOIs with following information/ documents via the link https://smrtr.io/pvxWf

Letter of Interest
The company profile including CVs which requires:

For firms/ organisations:

Legal entity established under law
Having sound technical knowledge and experience in the field of agriculture and rural development and on the growing of robusta coffee
Knowledge of the landscape of the coffee sector in the project area as well existing contacts and networks
Demonstrated communication and networking skills
Reliable and motivated for the purpose of supporting farming communities

For Team leader – they will have the overall responsibility for the quality and timeliness of the entire assignment. S/he will supervise and lead the team in all aspects of the work, in particular of the followings:

Having a degree in engineering or higher in agronomy, forestry, plant protection, or related fields;
At least 5 years of professional working experience in the field of sustainable agriculture and conducting demonstration models relating to coffee farming;
Good technical skills on coffee growing and of the other potential crops for intercropping and diversification in the coffee farming system
Demonstrated experience in organising the use of technological equipment and tools to collect, evaluate and present the result of demonstration models, such as GPS, polygon mapping and fly-cams; excellent team leadership and proven ability to work with diverse stakeholders, private sector, non-governmental organizations and with the public sector within a related field of the assignment
Strong analytical, conceptualization, presentation and facilitation skills.
Strong English proficiency, both written and spoken

Due Diligence Documents via https://smrtr.io/pvxWf
Business license of the company

Deadline for EOI Submissions

EOIs are due 17:00 on February 17^th, 2025

Selection Process

SNV will review all Expressions of Interest received in accordance with the guidelines and criteria in this solicitation. SNV reserves the right to exclude any EOIs that do not meet the guidelines. Please note that SNV is unable to provide detailed feedback to those EOIs that are not selected.

Step 1: SNV will shortlist selected EOIs, and unsuccessful respondents will be notified. Successful applicants will be contacted by SNV.

Step 2: SNV will release Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for the specific activities and contract with the selected organizations/ consultants.

Protection of Information

We request that Expressions of Interest responses be free of any intellectual property that the applicant wishes to protect. Should offerors wish to include proprietary intellectual property that they believe would be helpful for SNV, please note the proprietary nature of such information. Costing information will be kept confidential and will not be shared beyond SNV.

Issuance of this EOI does not constitute a commitment, award, or engagement on the part of SNV nor does it commit SNV to any future commitment or engagement.

Note: SNV reserves the right to change or cancel this requirement in the EOI/or solicitation process at any time.