Research: Assessing the feasibility of mushroom production in Lebanon

Introduction

Welthungerhilfe (WHH), in partnership with Lebanese NGOs, is coordinating a three-year Programme, funded by the German Ministry for Development and Economic Cooperation (BMZ). The purpose of the Programme is to promote synergies between population groups affected by the Syrian crisis.

Lebanon is importing 80% of all needed goods, including basic daily essential goods. Due to the changing context and the rising food security concerns, WHH is interested to assess new food security and livelihood interventions. For this consultancy WHH is looking for a qualified person that can assess the feasibility of local mushroom-production.

Programme

Syria Crisis Response Program 2019-2023

Purpose of the study

The overall objective of this assignment is to carry out a feasibility study/market analysis of identified food production and processing value chains in the respective communities (and beyond as appropriate) to provide evidence-based information to future program planning.

Specific Survey Objectives:

The mission aims to assess the feasibility of mushroom production in Lebanon in vulnerable communities incorporating the following:

• Focus especially on local markets
• Focus on urban environments

TOR and Methodology:

The process would be initiated through inception meeting, desk review, data collection, synthesis and analysis. Specifics are outlined in the annex.

Activities:

• Introductory meeting with WHH and partner NGO related team
• Desk assessment, study of key documents
• Field visits
• Workshop/collective brainstorming with key persons from WHH and partner NGOs
• Data collection: Outreach to key informants, potential partners, stakeholders, donors and collecting information.
• Focus group discussions and key informant interviews.
• Developing the design of the intervention concepts
• Developing risk mitigation plans. 
• Discuss findings and deliverables with WHH and partner NGO related team
• Submit a final report that elaborates the findings and recommendations

Deliverables

1) Inception report (10%)

2) Feasibility Study/Value Chain Analysis report: (hard and soft copies. Soft copies of analyzed data and filled data sheets/tools shall also be handed in.) (80%)

3) Recommendations: Description of the key systemic / critical issues, as well as practical actions to address the issues, action points, activities, monitoring indicators, risks/assumptions and recommendations for risk mitigation and management. (10%)

Language

Assessment language and concept papers/reports will be in English

Schedule

The assessment should take place in August, 2021. Estimated 10-15 working days.

Venue

WHH coordination point is in Beirut. Focus of the intervention is Tripoli (Lebanon). The assessment will be done online as well as by conducting meetings in person, if possible. The debriefing can be conducted online.

Logistics

WHH will make sure that their key-personnel are available for meetings with the consultant.

Remuneration:

Payment is done after the submission of (1) the final report including the study, (2) a timesheet that is outlining in bullet-points what was done on the related days of the mission, and (3) an invoice.

Consultant:

a) Core responsibilities of the Lead Consultant;

The consultant will be expected to perform the following core responsibilities:

• Review all relevant secondary sources of data and any relevant information to the study.
• Develop all necessary data collection, plans tools and present them for review before use.
• Conduct both quantitative and qualitative data collection using acceptable methodologies.
• Produce a written feasibility study
• Present draft report for review and input.
• Develop the final report incorporating stakeholders’ feedback

b) Skill and knowledge base requirements

• Master’s Degree Economics, Development Studies, Agriculture, or Food Systems
• Excellent knowledge of value chains, marketing systems and private sector development
• Strong analytical, research and presentation skills.
• Excellent report writing skills

Budget and schedule for study

The potential lead consultant is expected to submit a financial proposal in a different envelop clearly indicating the time, daily rates and detailed
schedule for the study. The schedule shall later on be agreed on together before the actual