REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA PROGRAM MAMAGEMENT UNIT MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

SOMALIA DROVE, GARDNERSVILLE MONROVIA, LIBERIA

SPECIAL PROCUREMENT NOTICE (SPN)

INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS TO DEVELOP THE LIBERIA SEED POLICY AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK 1.0 Background

This invitation for applications follows the general procurement notice AfDB119-753/09 for this project that appeared in Development Business Issue No. 753 of 1st June 2009. The Republic of Liberia has received two grants in the amount of UAC 6.5 million (USD 9.736 million, including Fragile State Facility of USD 0.75 million) from the African Development Fund to finance the Liberia Agriculture Sector Rehabilitation Project (ASRP). The principal objective of this project is to contribute to food security and poverty reduction. Its specific objective is to increase the income of smallholder farmers and rural entrepreneurs including women on a sustainable basis. The Ministry of Agriculture is the implementing agency for the ASRP. It wishes to use portion of the grants to engage the services of two Consultants: a Seed Specialist and a Legal Specialist to develop the Liberia Seed Policy and Regulatory Framework. Selection shall be based on Consultants Qualification (QCS) The agriculture sector is very vital to the overall economic activities of the Liberia. It accounts for employment of about 70% of economically active population of about 3.5 million people. Liberian agriculture comprises food and tree crops, fisheries and livestock, and the sector accounted for 42.2% of real GDP. Rice and cassava remain the main staple food crops, while rubber, oil palm, and cocoa are the dominant export tree crops. Agriculture is characterized by low productivity due to many factors, including structural constraints, and the prolonged 14-year civil conflicts that displaced farming communities. The sector is also characterized by degraded transport and processing infrastructures, and diminished productive capacities and unskilled personnel. Major challenges also include weak land management and water control systems, limited market access due to limited road networks, rudimentary production techniques, and poor food value chains lack of integration of production, processing, storage, and marketing channels, and the lack of agriculture credit, and low institutional capacity. As a result, incentives to produce marketable surpluses are limited. Improved seeds or planting materials are significant inputs in the agriculture sector and play important role in the overall production and productivity of the sector. There are insufficient quantities and types of improved seeds and planting materials of the major food crops grown in the country. Available improved seeds and planting materials have not been sufficiently

multiplied to meet the high demands of farmers and other key stakeholders in the country. However, some short-term plans and strategies have been put in place by the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) to help address the acute shortage of seeds, especially seed rice in the country. MOA established a National Seed Committee and a National Seed Task Force in 2008 to tackle the issue of seeds in the country. Some advances have been achieved in this process. However, the country needs a National Seed Policy and Regulatory Framework to guide the seed industry. When developed, the National Seed Policy and Regulatory Framework will guide the process of varietal selection and development, multiplication and distribution of high quality and marketable seeds and planting materials for farmers and other stakeholders engaged in the seed value chain. The seed policy and regulatory framework will enhance the performance of the agricultural sector and eventually lead to food security and poverty reduction. 2.0 Objective of the Consultancy The objective of this consultancy is to develop the Liberia Seed Policy and Regulatory Framework that will guide and direct all seed-related operations, both public and private, in the country. 3.0 Expected Outcome The final outcome shall be a clearly defined Seed Policy and Regulatory Framework. The policy outlines the processes of varietal selection, multiplication and distribution of high quality seeds for farmers and other stakeholders engaged in the seed value chain, both public and private. 4.0 Framework for the Consultants The Seed Specialist shall serve as a full-time Team Leader for the assignment. The Legal Specialist shall provide short-term inputs regarding legal and regulatory issues. The Team Leader shall be directly responsible for the development and delivery of the final seed policy and regulatory framework document to the Ministry of Agriculture through its Program Management Unit (PMU). The consultants shall work under the supervision of the Director, PMU, and in consultation with experts and scientists engaged in the seed sector, as well as the National Seed Committee and National Seed Task Force. She/he will also consult with officials and scientists at the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), the Agriculture Sector Donors Working Group (ADWG), NGOs, farmers and other stakeholders engaged in propagating planting materials, seed production, and seed value chain in Liberia. 5.0 5.1 Education and Experience of the Consultants Seed Specialist (Team Leader) Minimum of Masters Degree, preferably a Ph.D. in an agriculture discipline or related sciences; At least 10 year experience in seed research and development-related activities, including at least 2 years of proven record in seed policy formulation in sub-Saharan Africa; Working experience with national and regional institutions within Africa;

 Knowledge of seed production, the mechanisms for quality control and the relevant regulatory instruments and agencies; Understanding of seed trade both national and regional, especially of the ECOWAS seed policy program; Knowledge of the mechanisms that will ensure seed system development relevant to the Liberian situation; Familiarity with ECOWAS member states agricultural policies (especially their seed policies and regulations), and the Liberian agricultural policies in particular; Familiarity with the seed systems (both formal and informal) currently functioning in Liberia will be an added advantage; and Good command of English language, both written and spoken; 5.2 Legal Specialist Minimum of Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) Degree; At least 10 year legal experience in Liberia, including at least 2 years of proven record in agricultural development-related activities; Knowledge of the mechanisms for quality control and the relevant regulatory instruments and agencies related to agriculture; Familiarity with ECOWAS member states agricultural policies (including their seed policies and regulations) and the Liberian agricultural policies; and Good command of English language, both written and spoken. 6.0 Timing and Duration of the Consultancy 50 person-days for the Seed Specialist and 15 person-days for the Legal Specialist after the signing of the contract; and The consultants will be based in Monrovia, with movements to stakeholder institutions such as CARI, seed growers and farming communities. 7.0 Specific Milestones

1. Organize an inception meeting with all stakeholder upon commencement of consultancy; 2. Gather key information by consultant (listing of key players in the seed sector) and prepare and submit inception report; 3. Prepare a draft national seed policy and regulatory framework, and circulate the draft to stakeholders; 4. Convene a stakeholders workshop to validate the draft document; and 5. Prepare and present the final document of the Liberia Seed Policy and Regulatory Framework to the Ministry of Agriculture. 8.0 Specific Tasks

The consultant or consulting firm shall accomplish the following tasks: 1. Gather information with the help of existing documents specific to the seed situation of Liberia and the West African sub-region; 2. Examine the various seed value chains and Identify the key seed system activities, and relevant stakeholders of the overall seed industry, including local, commercial and institutional contributors; 3. Analyze strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of the seed value chain: sources of production, processing, supply and distribution of seeds, assessing the manner in which harvests are conducted, treated, stored and delivered to users or consumers; 4. Identify existing gaps in the current seed situation and present areas that may need short, medium and long-term development, and make recommendations for improving the situation; 5. Direct attention to the comparative advantages for the use of locally adapted varieties for the different crops; 6. Prepare and facilitate a national validation workshop on the drafted Liberia Seed Policy and Regulatory Framework; and 7. Finalize the Liberia Seed policy and Regulatory Framework document based on input from the validation workshop and other stakeholders. 9.0 Expected Output The major output is a comprehensive Liberia Seed Policy and Regulatory Framework that includes, but not limited to, the following major topics: PART I SEED IMPORTATION, EXPORTATION, PRODUCTION AND REGISTRATION 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Registration of seed importers, exporters, growers and dealers. Seed registration Prohibition of importation of unapproved seeds Importation and exportation of seeds Publication of false advertisement Inspection of seeds, its production, processing and storage system Power of inspectors Obstruction of inspectors Restriction/Prohibited seeds Seed analysts Functions of seed analysts

PART II ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL SEED COUNCIL 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. Establishment of National Seed Council Functions of the Council Composition of the Council Tenure of office of members Meeting of the Council Committees of the Council Variety Release and Registration Committee Allowance for members of the Council and Committee Secretariat of the Council Funding of Council PART III MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. Offences and penalties Regulations Interpretation Repeal Seed quality orientation maintenance and quality assurance guidelines; Operational regulations for formal and informal seed sectors in the country; The role of the government and specifically the Ministry of Agriculture for national seed sector development and performance; Operational protocols for the commercial and private sector as this relates to the local producers and traditional farmers; The role and direction for research in developing new varieties, variety testing, ownership and the protection of farmers rights; Seed quality control measures: field regulations, quality inspection protocols, seed testing and necessary facilities; Regulations for local seed exchange, conservation and the protection of plant genetic resources of important national crops; Guidelines for the formulation of the seed laws and other regulatory tools; Definition and standards for technical operations, training and technology development as this applies to the seed sector; Seed traffic - import and export - cross border seed exchange protocols, guidelines and seed quarantine measures that meet international standards; and

To accomplish this, the consultant or consultancy firm shall develop: 1. A work plan, including schedules of trips to different stakeholder groups and different counties as a way of verifying local context with regards to seed; 2. The list of the key contributors consisting of the various stake-holders that are involved in the national seed scheme and with whom the consultant would wish to work; 3. The list of existing institutions in-country that conduct the flow of seed from field establishment, quality monitoring and control, and supply sources;

4. An outline of existing mechanisms that are in place, if any to determine the state of seeds from harvest until market delivery as well as the tests that are involved to ensure reliability on quality; 5. A description of strategies and the techniques of traditional seed development and conservation of indigenous plants; and 6. A final document that includes relevant recommendations that will be presented at the policy workshop. 10. Obligations of the Client (PMU-MoA)

The Programme Management Unit for purposes of executing the Consultancy Service will provide office space, Vehicle and Internet Services in the PMU Office at MoA. 11. Proposal Submission Requirement

All Proposals must include the following: Name of consultant Updated curriculum vitae Proposal - technical and financial (quoted in US dollars) for undertaking the consultancy Three professional references of current clients, including telephone numbers and e-mail addresses Sealed Proposals should be clearly marked Liberia Seed Policy and Regularity Framework Consultancy and sent to: Dr. Moses M. Zinnah Director, Program Management Unit (PMU) Ministry of Agriculture Somalia Drive, Monrovia, Liberia E-mail: mmzinnah57@yahoo.com and copied to v.ouattara@afdb.org Deadline for Applications: All applications should be sent no later than close of business on July 18, 2011 at 14:00GMT.A full job description may be found on

the following website: www.emansion.gov.lr or on request from

mmzinnah57@yahoo.com