OBJECTIVES: Evaluating the Viability of Gender-Inclusive Market Value Chains and Crops with Growth Potential

The purpose of this study is to assess the gender inclusiveness of market value chains and the feasibility of producing and marketing specific crops in the districts of Vehari and Okara in Punjab. The assessment aims to identify and analyze gender-specific constraints and opportunities within the value chains, evaluate the level of women’s participation in the market and assess the barriers they face, and explore potential opportunities for improving inclusiveness. Additionally, the assessment will evaluate the profitability and feasibility of producing and marketing specific crops from a gender perspective, including evaluating current market linkages, feasible crops, crop yield, best sustainable agriculture practices, intercropping patterns, and the impact of best crop varieties. The study will provide recommendations to optimize the crop value chain and promote greater gender equality and women’s empowerment, Interventions, and strategies to improve gender inclusiveness will also be Identified, such as providing training and capacity building for women, improving access to finance and inputs, promoting equitable business partnerships, and awareness on gender-based violence and discrimination. The ultimate goal of the assessment is to create a more inclusive and equitable value chain that benefits all stakeholders and contributes to sustainable economic development in project districts.

The specific objectives of the assessment are as follows:

1. Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the extent to which women and men are included in the market value chain in Vehari and Okara districts, including the roles of different actors, market channels, and market dynamics. 
2. Identify the challenges faced by women and men producers in the market value chain, including access to finance, markets, and business development services, and provide recommendations for improving their participation in the market value chain.
3. Identify opportunities for improving the gender inclusiveness of the market value chain in Vehari and Okara districts.
4. Analyze the enabling environment for women producers in Vehari and Okara districts, including gender and social norms that create barriers to women accessing finance, markets, and business development services.
5. Identify good practices and lesson learned from gender-inclusive market value chains in other areas that could be replicated in project districts.
6. Provide gender-responsive recommendations for designing and planning the project’s activities and potential adjustments in interventions.
7. Provide recommendations for capacity building, skill development, and confidence building of women small-scale producers for sustainable agriculture and women empowerment.
8. Assess the current market linkages and supply chain for various crops in the Vehari and Okara markets, analyze the key actors and stakeholders involved in the production, marketing, and distribution of these crops in a gender perspective.
9. Assess the potential profitability of producing and marketing the various crops in the Vehari and Okara markets, including an analysis of the current market prices, production costs, and potential yield. 
10. Identify the most feasible crops to be produced in the Vehari and Okara districts, taking into consideration the climate, soil and other relevant factors.
11. Assess the current crops, yield and the best sustainable agriculture practices for the major crops in the project districts, including an analysis of the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation techniques.
12. Identify challenges for enhancing yield, access to finance and inputs for cost-effective agriculture produce and market linkages.
13. Assess the intercropping pattern for the Various crops in project districts, including an analysis of the potential benefits and drawbacks of intercropping.
14. Assess the impact of using the best varieties in crops, including an analysis of the potential benefits and risks of using the best varieties in crops.
15. Provide gender-transformative recommendations based on the findings of this assessment.

METHODOLOGY

The assessment will be conducted through a mixed-method approach, involving both quantitative and qualitative data collection. The following methods will be used:

1. Desk Review: A review of relevant literature, reports, and database will be conducted to understand the current market value chain, related to production, marketing, and distribution of the Various crops in the Vehari and Okara and its gender inclusiveness. Top of Form
2. Key Informant Interviews: KII will be conducted with key informants, including market actors, government officials, civil society organizations, and women entrepreneurs. The interview will be conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire, which will explore the challenges and opportunities for women’s inclusion in the market value chain.
3. Focus Group Discussions: FGD will be conducted with women farmers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders to understand their experience in the market value chain, challenges faced, and opportunities for improvement.
4. Market mapping to production areas, markets, and other relevant locations in Vehari and Okara to gather firsthand information and data.
5. Data analysis: The data collected will be analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative methods to identify key findings and recommendations. The data collection techniques need to be participatory, gender and culturally sensitive and appropriate with key informants and beneficiaries.
6. Designing study protocol, logical sampling strategy (sample size), data collection tools, analysis plan, fieldwork plan, and report outlines after getting final approval from project team.
7. Piloting tools with some informants to test the appropriation of language, information flow and meaning of questions, as well as interview duration.
8. Recruiting enumerators and field facilitators (with a gender balance) for data collection.
9. Train the enumerators on data collection tools and gender perspectives which need to be consider before field work.
10. Project team may supervise data collection according to provided field plan.
11. Updating and discussing with the project team on daily basis the field report, drawing on the field progress, challenges, and solutions to overcome. 
12. Data need to be disaggregated by sex and age and any other socioeconomic categories where applicable.
13. Develop the presentation of the main findings of assessment in PowerPoint format and presenting it to the project team and partners.
14. Writing and submitting a detailed and accurate report (draft and final) as per the assessment objectives to CIP within the agreed timeframe. The report should include a brief interpretation of data and use the format to be specified and agreed with CIP.

DELIVERABLES

The following deliverables are expected from assessment;

1. The consultant (firm) is expected to deliver a comprehensive market assessment report on the feasibility of producing and marketing crops in Vehari and Okara districts. The report should include a detailed analysis of the current market linkages and supply chain for the identified crops, potential profitability, intercropping patterns, sustainable agriculture practices, and impact of using best varieties.  Additionally, the report should provide a set of recommendations on how to optimize the crop value chain, including an analysis of potential risks, challenges, and opportunities. Furthermore, gender-inclusive recommendations should be provided based on the findings of the assessment. A guide map for farmers to initiate modern agriculture practices,
2. In addition to the market assessment, the consultant (firm) is also expected to provide a separate report on gender issues in the value chain, highlighting any gender-specific barriers, gaps, and opportunities for men and women. Recommendations for gender-inclusive interventions, a training and capacity building plan, and a stakeholder’s engagement plan.
3. A presentation on the main findings of both reports, and recommendations.
4. The first draft of the assessment report should be submitted two weeks before the final date of submission. Finally, the consultant(firm) needs to ensure proofreading for the final version of the report to ensure the accuracy and clarity of the information provided.

Detail TORs attached.