Terms of reference

Study of Plum Production Sector in Moldova

Background

Opportunities through technologies and innovation in Moldova (OPTIM) is the project of Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, which is implemented by Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation in Moldova.

The project aims at creating economic opportunities that would contribute towards the improved employment and income for Moldovan women and men.

The final beneficiaries of the OPTIM project are Moldovan women and men, including excluded groups either seeking employment or being already employed and seeking improved incomes, as well as self-employed Moldovan men and women seeking opportunities to improve their incomes through improved services and products for their businesses.

Excluded groups imply and are not limited to rural youth, returning migrants, and minorities.

To achieve the goal of the project OPTIM will work under two main outcomes:

• Improved performance of the private sector in selected sectors;
• Improved skills development opportunities to address the gaps in the labour market in selected sectors.

Under the first outcome project will work in two sectors, agriculture and information and communication technologies. Sector have been selected due to their potential and economic significance for Moldova. 

Agriculture is the sector of economic and social importance for Moldova. The agricultural sector contributes the GDP significantly and at the same time a lot of people are involved in agriculture.   

Moldovan agriculture has various areas with high potential. In April 2019, Helvetas has contracted consultant from Agricultural University of Applied (HAFL) for the identification of interventions with the highest potential. One of the recommendations of the assessment was the additional research of the organic plum production and processing in Moldova and its potential for the further development.

Current Terms of Reference describe the terms for the study of the potential of the organic plum production and processing, as well as the efforts and resources needed for the fulfilment of the assignment.

Objective(s) of the study

The overall objective of the study is to evaluate the potential for Moldovan plum production with existing organic plum capacities and/or potential for conversion of conventional plum production to organic one.

At the same time assess the potential of Moldovan organic plum on high value markets, whether fresh or processed.

Expected results

 In the frame of the study and within the reasonable time frame the expected results of the assignment are:

• analysis and evaluation of the organic plum value chain of Moldova;
• stakeholder analysis of the plum sector, including producers (farmer profiles), processors, certification providers, exporters, storage facilities etc. (list of the stakeholders interviewed with contacts to be attached);
• assessment of the existing conventional orchards (seasonality, demand/supply), evaluation of varieties and assessment for the potential for conversion in technological and economic terms;
• economic calculations (cost, margin, profit) of the conventional and organic plum production and processing;
• analysis of the constraints for the conversion (infrastructure, cost of conversion, return on investment) at every stage of the value chain;
• general description of the regulatory and legislative framework;
• description of the certification procedures and providers;
• general screening of the potential markets for Moldovan organic plum;
• general description of the constraints for exporting to EU market;
• general recommendations for the conversion, if high potential is identified.

The contractor is expected to amend and improve the above proposed content based on its good knowledge and best practices. The changes in the structure shall be discussed with and approved by OPTIM contact person.

Main Tasks and Activities of the Assignee

For the purpose of the study the assignee shall deliver the following:

• Prepare methodology, activity plan and research instruments
• Coordinate the activities and regularly update the OPTIM on the progress achieved;
• Conduct a presentation of the findings to OPTIM team;
• Prepare final report of the study (English).

The main competences required from the contractor are:

• A sound understanding of Agriculture Sector in Moldova and neighboring countries with the focus on organic agriculture;
• Prior experience in conducting assessment studies, surveys, national and international research in agribusiness, rural development, financial, economic fields;
• Specific experience in carrying out studies/ analysis in organic farming or relevant expertise;
• Experienced key staff in conducting research in agriculture, agribusiness, organic farming and marketing;
• Experienced team members in conducting quantitative and qualitative research studies with the application of mixed instruments;
• Good communication and facilitation skills in local languages, especially teams responsible for data collection both in filed and central authorities;

Time Frame of the assignment

The services shall be implemented in the timeframe from 29.11.2019 to 07.02.2020

For the detailed RFP and annexes, please address a message to the email: diana.durnescu@helvetas.org, showing the tender number in the message title.