REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
Mid-Term Evaluation of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Project including the Assessment of Orchard Development Initiative
Location: Chintapalli & Rajavommangi Clusters, Alluri Sitarama Raju District, Andhra Pradesh
1. Background
The Tribal Livelihoods Program, aims to enhance the livelihoods of 10,000 small and marginal tribal farmers across 84 villages in Alluri Sitarama Raju District through Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) interventions.
The program focuses on:
- Adoption of climate-resilient agricultural practices
- Productivity enhancement in key crops (turmeric, coffee, pepper, cashew, paddy)
- Livelihood diversification (poultry enterprises)
- Strengthening of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)
In addition, an Orchard Development Initiative has been undertaken in the Rajavommangi cluster in 2019/20 to promote long-term income generation and climate resilience.
A baseline study was conducted in 2023, and the project is currently at the mid-implementation stage. This necessitates a Mid-Term Evaluation (MTE) to assess progress, outcomes, and course corrections.
2. Objectives of the Assignment
The key objectives are to:
- Assess progress against baseline indicators and project targets
- Evaluate adoption and effectiveness of CSA practices
- Measure changes in household income, productivity, and livelihood diversification
- Assess outcomes of the Orchard Development Initiative (coverage, survival rate, maintenance, productivity potential)
- Evaluate performance of FPOs and community institutions
- Assess inclusion of women and youth
- Identify implementation gaps and provide actionable recommendations
3. Scope of Work
The selected agency/consultant will undertake:
3.1 Desk Review
- Baseline study (2023), project documents, MIS data
3.2 Methodology & Tool Design
- Develop evaluation framework aligned with baseline indicators
- Design quantitative and qualitative tools
3.3 Sampling Design
- Stratified sampling across clusters, crops, and intervention categories
- Suggested sample size: 5–8% of total households (approx. 500–800 HHs)
- Sample size may be refined with justification
3.4 Field Data Collection
- Household surveys
- Focus Group Discussions (FGDs)
- Key Informant Interviews (KIIs)
- Field observations and case documentation
3.5 Institutional Assessment
- FPO performance (governance, financials, business operations)
- Role of entrepreneurs and service providers
3.6 Orchard Development Assessment (Rajavommangi)
- Coverage and beneficiary outreach
- Survival rate and maintenance practices
- Early productivity and income potential
- Farmer feedback and challenges
3.7 Data Analysis & Reporting
- Comparison with baseline findings
- Outcome-level assessment
- Identification of best practices, gaps, and recommendations
4. Deliverables
- Inception Report (methodology, sampling, tools)
- Data collection tools and cleaned dataset
- Draft Evaluation Report
- Final Report (including recommendations and case studies)
5. Timeline
The assignment is expected to be completed within 6–8 weeks from the date of contract signing.
6. Eligibility Criteria
Agencies/consultants should have:
- Minimum 5–10 years of experience in evaluation/impact studies
- Experience in agriculture, rural livelihoods, or tribal development
- Strong quantitative and qualitative research expertise
- Experience with FPOs, value chains, and horticulture/orchard interventions
- Ability to conduct fieldwork in remote tribal areas
7. Proposal Submission Requirements
- Technical Proposal
- Understanding of the assignment
- Proposed methodology and work plan
- Team composition with CVs
- Financial Proposal
- Detailed budget (inclusive of all costs)
- Supporting Documents
- Relevant past work/sample reports
8. Evaluation Criteria
- Technical approach and methodology – 40%
- Relevant experience – 30%
- Team expertise – 20%
- Financial proposal – 10%
9. Submission Details
10. Confidentiality
All data, reports, and findings generated under this assignment will remain the property of the organization and must not be shared without prior approval.
We invite experienced agencies and experts to submit proposals for this assignment to support evidence-based program learning and improvement.