TERMS OF REFERENCE

Consultancy to Develop Farmers’ Training Manual on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Adapted to High Iron Beans

ABOUT AGRIFOP

Agribusiness Focused Partnership Organization (AGRIFOP) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) established in Rwanda in 2012 and registered under Rwandan law (REG. No 014/NGO/2015). The organization was founded to provide support for rural smallholder agricultural development and to serve the public interest by modernizing the agricultural sector. Its mission is to support rural smallholder agricultural development through capacity building, consultancy, and market development, ultimately improving food security and rural livelihoods. The core objective is to transform subsistence farming into a knowledge-based, value-creating sector that contributes to the national economy in a sustainable and resilient manner.

AGRIFOP acts as a vital bridge between agro-dealers and smallholder farmers. By teaching agro-dealers how to effectively communicate technical information about crop nutrients and modern seed varieties, they ensure that farmers have the knowledge needed to increase yield and improve the quality of their harvest.

CONSULTANCY BACKGROUND

The Agribusiness Focused Partnership Organization (AGRIFOP) in partnership with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is implementing the High Iron Bean (HIB) Value Chain Development Project in 25 five sectors of target districts in Western Province of Rwanda. The project seeks to improve productivity, market access, value addition, business linkages, employment opportunities, and incomes for targeted smallholder farmers, youth, producers, cooperatives, SMEs (agrodealers, seed multipliers, aggregators), and other market actors. It will start with enhancing farmers’ adoption of improved HIB seeds, strengthening local seed systems, and promoting nutrition-sensitive agriculture. The intervention targets bean farmers, farmer cooperatives, seed multipliers, and agro-dealers operating in selected Food Basket Sites (FOBASI) across Rutsiro, Nyamasheke, Rusizi, Karongi, and Nyabihu districts.

Despite increasing interest in HIB production, many farmers in Rwanda continue to face challenges related to limited technical knowledge and inconsistent application of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). These challenges contribute to low productivity, poor crop quality, pest and disease prevalence, post-harvest losses, and weak market competitiveness. 

To address these gaps, the project intends to develop a comprehensive, farmer-friendly, and context-specific Farmers’ Training Manual on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) adapted to High Iron Beans production systems in Rwanda. The manual will serve as a practical training and extension resource for farmers, farmer cooperatives, extension officers, lead farmers, community facilitators, and project partners.

AGRIFOP invites qualified consultants to submit proposals for the development of a training manual targeting bean farmers and farmer cooperatives.

PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY

The purpose of this consultancy is to develop a practical, user-friendly, and technically sound Farmers’ Training Manual on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) specifically adapted to High Iron Beans production and post-harvest handling in Rwanda. The manual should support improved farmer knowledge, adoption of recommended agronomic practices, productivity enhancement, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, climate resilience, and market-oriented production.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY

The specific objectives are to:

1. Review existing national and international GAP materials relevant to bean production and biofortified crops. 
2. Develop a comprehensive training manual tailored to High Iron Beans production systems in Rwanda. 
3. Integrate climate-smart agriculture, gender, nutrition, and environmental sustainability considerations into the manual. 
4. Develop practical farmer training modules and extension materials. 
5. Ensure the manual is participatory, easy to understand, and suitable for adult learning approaches. 
6. Facilitate stakeholder validation and incorporate feedback into the final manual.

The consultant is expected to work closely with AGRIFOP technical teams to ensure that all tools are practical, participatory, gender-sensitive, and aligned with national agricultural standards.

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

The consultant/firm shall submit the following deliverables:

DURATION

The consultancy is expected to be completed within 25 working days from the date of contract signing.

DUTY STATION

The consultancy will be conducted in Rwanda with a combination of desk review, field consultations, and stakeholder meetings.

REPORTING AND SUPERVISION

The consultant/firm will report directly to the CEO, AGRIFOP or another designated team member.

The client organization will provide:

• Relevant project documentation
• Technical guidance
• Coordination support
• Access to stakeholders where necessary

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The consultant should possess:

• Advanced degree in agronomy, agricultural extension, crop science, agricultural education, Rural Development, or related field
• Minimum of 5 years’ demonstrated experience in development of agricultural training manuals, farmer extension and adult learning methodologies, bean or legume value chain development, climate-smart agriculture, smallholder farmer capacity building, 
• Proven experience working in Rwanda,
• Strong knowledge of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Integrated Pest Management, Nutrition-sensitive agriculture, Rwanda agricultural systems and extension approaches
• Excellent facilitation and technical writing skills.
• Excellent report writing and communication skills in English. 

The firm should demonstrate:

• Relevant institutional experience 
• Availability of qualified technical personnel 
• Previous experience developing agricultural training materials 
• Strong understanding of Rwanda agriculture sector
• Technical and operational capacity 

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Interested consultants/firms should submit:

1. Technical Proposal Including:

• Understanding of the assignment 
• Proposed methodology and approach 
• Workplan and timelines 
• Team composition and roles 
• Relevant experience and references 

1. Financial Proposal Including:

• Detailed budget breakdown 
• Professional fees 
• Applicable taxes 
• Any reimbursable costs.

Supporting Documents

• CV(s) of key personnel 
• Company profile (for firms) 
• References of similar assignments 
• Sample previous work (optional) 

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

Ethical Considerations

The consultant/firm shall:

• Ensure originality and technical accuracy of content 
• Use inclusive and non-discriminatory language 
• Respect intellectual property rights 
• Ensure the manual is practical and culturally appropriate 
• Maintain confidentiality of project information

Ownership of Deliverables

All documents, tools, datasets, and outputs produced under this consultancy shall remain the property of the client organization. The consultant shall not share or reproduce any materials without prior written authorization.

Application Deadline

Interested candidates should submit their proposals no later than 28 May 2026 4:00 Pm to:
Email: info@agrifop.org