TA 6884-REG: Green and Resilient Rural Recovery through Agri-Food System

Transformation in the Asia and Pacific Region

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Island Climate-Smart Agriculture Expert(s) (International, 4 person-months)

In close consultation with the government and ADB project team, the experts will:

1. Consult with a wide range of stakeholders, the government offices, private sector, and
communities, especially women, to identify the issues and priorities regarding resilience
building of the food production and supply system
2. Assess the state of food security and the key climate change impacts on the arable land and
estimate the technical potential of local food production in the country
3. Identify the climate resilient food security hotspots (geographical areas and institutions in the
country that are likely to be heavily affected by climate change and/or cannot manage
expected adverse climate change impacts due the lack of adaptation capacity)
4. Based on the analysis and consultations, recommend priority investments that the
government should consider for building resilience in the food system with specific attention
to the following:
INT
ER
NAL a. Water resource limitation and its further deterioration due to climate change
. particularly groundwater depletion and contamination: evaluate alternative water
This resources for food production, including the production of fresh water for
info irrigation through desalination and rainwater harvested from the roof of structures
rma established in the farmlands to supplement RO water storage.
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b. Suitable protected cultivation practices1 and irrigation network systems: evaluate
is
acc the systems that can efficiently utilize water resources that are accessible for
essi farmers, such as hybrid water-RO water. For the recommended water system,
ble evaluate the effectiveness of water conservation techniques such as drip
to irrigation systems and the use of solar energy to run RO water production
AD system. For protected agriculture structures, evaluate low-cost poly houses that
B can reduce cost of production for farmers, while minimizing the negative impact
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on ground water source due to the leaching of chemical pesticides;
em hydroponics/vertical farming; and circular agriculture system
ent c. the feasibility of reviving home gardens with regenerative agriculture : propose
and suitable environment friendly farming methods to be promoted under the ADB’s
sta planned investment project (e.g. vertical gardens, organic farming, and
ff. It community farming)
ma
d. Youth involvement in food business: Assess the need and value of capital
y
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provision to smallholder farmers to increase youth engagement in agribusiness
sha e. Recommended technology applications: identify and recommend promising
red technologies in farming that can reduce the environmental impacts while
out increasing production.
side
AD
B 1
wit Protected farming, a farming practice under tunnels and greenhouses, can be a good climate change adaptation
h tool for horticulture crops as it minimizes crop damage risks from extreme weather events and pest attacks and the
excessive use of chemical inputs, and insulates crops from seasonal fluctuations in the external environment to
app
achieve more consistent crop yields. Protected farming can be practiced both in urban and rural environment, and
rop
can also play a significant role in supplying nutritious food for local communities during supply chain disruptions as
riat exemplified in some island nations in the Pacific region under due to COVID-19 pandemic.
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 5. Estimate the scope of local food supply capacity growth potential in the country over the
next decade (food import substitution potential in terms of quantity, value, and nutrition
value)
6. Propose outlines of feasibly studies and detailed design for planning of the recommended
investment activities required for building resilient food security in the country that integrate
environmental, social, and economic considerations
7. Recommend critical regulatory and institutional reforms that may be required for upscaling
resilience building investments in the food system, if any, and outline analysis required to
support such reforms
8. Present key study findings at stakeholder workshops

Qualifications

Qualified Island CSA experts will have (i) doctorate degree or equivalent research experience in
climate science, agronomy, and other related areas; and (ii) 8–10 years of working experience in
CSA, climate resilience, and climate adaptation and mitigation with assignments in agriculture and
natural resources, food security or rural development projects. Working experience in Asia and the
Pacific region is highly desirable.

Inputs
INT
ER
NAL  International expert(s) – 4 person months
.  International travels – 4 trips (India -Manila) and 2 trips (India-Maldives)
This  Local travels – local transport (airfare/Dhoni/vehicle hire) for 4 trips and DSA for 30 days
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 Local consultations - 4 workshops
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is Outputs
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essi  Inception report
ble  Mid-term report
to
AD  Draft Final report
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