Study of Vi Agroforestry’s impact on agrobiodiversity through SALM and agroforestry

Background

Vi-skogen (Vi Agroforestry) is a Swedish non-profit foundation established in 1983. We work with local partner organisations in East Africa, mainly in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to empower smallholders’ farmers and their organisations to improving their living conditions. Vi Agroforestry has 40 years of experience in promoting agroforestry, sustainable agriculture, human rights-based approaches, gender equality, and empowerment of women, men, youth, and children. Vi Agroforestry works in partnership with farmer organisations, government agencies, and other civil society organisations to promote sustainable food production, a safe environment, and human rights-based approaches that benefit women, men, young people, and children.

Vi Agroforestry has, through sustainable agriculture and land management (SALM) and agroforestry, been promoting a diversification of species planted and animals reared on farmland. This methodology and the diversification have had an impact on biodiversity, both through direct diversification of crops but also indirectly through promoting an environment where species of animals, insects and plants can thrive. Through storytelling and observations, Vi Agroforestry has established that the biodiversity has increased but this has not been verified through a proper inventory.

Objective

The aim of the study is to establish the impact Vi Agroforestry’s methods – SALM and agroforestry – has on agrobiodiversity i.e., the variety and variability of animals, plants and micro-organisms that are used directly or indirectly for food and agriculture, including crops, livestock, forestry, and fisheries. It comprises the diversity of genetic resources (varieties, breeds) and species used for food, fodder, fibre, fuel and pharmaceuticals. It also includes the diversity of non-harvested species that support production (soil micro-organisms, predators, pollinators), and those in the wider environment that support agro-ecosystems (agricultural, pastoral, forest, and aquatic) as well as the diversity of the agro-ecosystems (FAO,1999), through a field inventory of agrobiodiversity. Indicators such as the number of vascular plant species in each area will verify the agrobiodiversity on the farms. The general question we seek to answer through this inventory is how agrobiodiversity and related ecosystem services, e.g., pollination and biological pest control, has changed with the implementation of SALM and agroforestry. The inventory will be conducted through both quantitative and qualitative participatory methods.

Vi Agroforestry will provide data collection tools that the consultant will assist in refining before administration to the informants. Data collection will involve field measurements, household surveys, observation, focus groups discussions, and key informant interviews. The study will also involve use control farmers (farmers without agroforestry and SALM practices), taking pictures of different species of flora and fauna, taking of GPS points and most significant biodiversity change stories.

More specifically, the study will seek to answer the following questions.

1. The number and variation of species in the land use of land users implementing SALM based on agroforestry.

2. The number and variation of species in the land use of land users NOT implementing SALM and agroforestry (reference plots).

3. What are the land-based resources used from land outside the farm?

4. Which changes in the general biodiversity has been observed by key informants?

5. What are the related ecosystems services derived from SALM and agroforestry practices?

Approach and Activities

The study shall be conducted through field measurements; a collection of data through including species identification on farm level through a consultative process with key stakeholders (farmers, key informants, local agriculture and agroforestry experts); and questionnaires distributed to land users. The consultant shall conduct direct interviews with land users (with questionnaires) as well as in depth interviews with key informants such as members of the partner organisation and other key stakeholders working in the geographical areas.

Activities of the study

• The consultant will provide a detailed methodology which includes both qualitative and quantitative measurements across an entire farm area.
• Vi Agroforestry will contribute to refining the methodology, offer a framework for the fieldwork and a toolbox (the kobotoolbox software) for data collection.
• The inventory will be conducted in the working area of at least one partner organisation in each country (Kenya and Tanzania) (two field areas in total).
• For each field area, the consultant shall target at least 60 farmers (land users) implementing Vi Agroforestry’s methods of SALM and Agroforestry for field measurement and direct interviews.
• In addition, the consultant will conduct the same methodology for measuring agrobiodiversity at a minimum of 30 farmers (land users) for each field area not implementing Vi Agroforestry’s methods. These will be used as reference plots.
• Key informants, such as partner organisations and village leaders, will be interviewed for further information. A questionnaire will be provided by the consultant and necessary improvements will be suggested by Vi Agroforestry. The answers will be transcribed and summarized.
• An inception report will be prepared by the consultant based on and in line with this term of reference and it will be reviewed and agreed upon by Vi Agroforestry.
• The inception report must include a detailed work plan for the study detailing reflections on the methodology with potential updates to the questionnaire and timeframe for conducting the interviews. It is the responsibility of the consultant to book meetings for the interviews through collaboration with the partner organisation. A list will be provided by Vi Agroforestry/Partner organisation.

Key Deliverables

The specific deliverables of the assignment include but are not limited to the following:

Deliverable 1: Inception report- Production of one document detailing the consultant’s approach to the study including reflection of the provided questionnaire for validation by Vi Agroforestry. Detailed work plan and timeline developed 3 days of signing contract

Deliverable 2: Draft report- Production of one document showing key findings of the study. Draft report (word document in English). 6 weeks after signing the contract

Deliverable 3: Final report- Production of the final study report with the following information.

• Analysis of the results from the questionnaires in the form of summaries, tables, quotations, diagrams from both SALM users and references plots
• Analysis of the species inventory in the form of tables and diagrams listing number of species, mean number of species, usage of species – both SALM users and references plots
• Analysis of key ecosystem services derived from implementation of SALM and agroforestry
• Summary of the interviews with partner organisations and other key informants.
• In addition, the report will include annexes including of list of species with local and scientific names, transcribed interviews, and answers to the questionnaires.
• Final report of the study should include an executive summary of a maximum of one page. The main report must include a chapter of conclusions and recommendations for a toolkit and methodology for biodiversity that can be developed from data collection and the data analysis.

Final report (word document in English)- 2 weeks after feedback from Vi agroforestry on draft report

Duration of the assignment

The duration for the works specified under this Terms of Reference (TORs) shall be for two (2) months from the signing of the contract without extension.

Required Knowledge and Skills

Provide a technical and financial proposal that demonstrate the following:

• Proper understanding of the TOR’s demonstrating how the assignment will be designed and carried out.
• Qualification of the team and their role in delivering the assignment
• Experience from research on biodiversity and ecosystems services.
• Extensive experience in qualitative and quantitative research with an emphasis on climate change, natural resource management, and agriculture or agroforestry.
• Priority will be given to those applicants with demonstrated evidence of past work on the topic/ issues.
• Demonstratable ability to collect data in all the 2 countries
• Fluency in English and Kiswahili is required.

Term of validity of the consultancy and method of payment

The consultancy is expected to have a maximum duration of two months – 20 business days from the signing of the contract.

Ownership and confidentiality

Vi Agroforestry is the sole owner of the results of the evaluation and all other information produced as a result of the study. The result of the study can be used after previous authorization from Vi Agroforestry.