Poverty Reduced Sustainably in an Environment of Resilient and Vibrant Economy (PReSERVE)

Program Description

Background:

RTI International (RTI) is implementing the market systems development component of the 5-year USAID/Ethiopia Poverty Reduced Sustainably in an Environment of Resilient and Vibrant Economy (PReSERVE) Activity. PReSERVE is an integrated activity to improve food security of vulnerable households in targeted Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) communities in the Amhara Region and contribute to a sustained reduction in rural poverty. The market systems development component of PReSERVE aims to bring vital market access and growth to livelihoods deepening woredas HHs of South Gondar Zone (Lay Gayint, Tach Gayint, and Simada) and Wag Himra Zone of Sahila Seyemt district. 

Agriculture technology input access and services delivery are crucial for enhancing crop and animal production and productivity. In the target four LD woredas of Lay Gayint, Tach Gayint, Simada in South Gonder Zone, and Sahila Seyemt in Wag Himra Zone, sheep, goat, fish, potato, and haricot bean are vital sources of livelihood. A study by RTI International highlighted that this commodity production faces challenges due to limited access to inputs, training, market linkage, credit access, disease control, and services delivery. These constraints hinder the production and productivity of both crop and animal, resulting in low input and low output levels under the farming system widely practiced in these areas (subsistence farming).

To address these constraints, PReSERVE plans to issue six (6) small grants to support and leverage local service providers (LSPs) to establish and strengthen agro-dealers in expanding input supply access as well as providing sheep and goat veterinary drugs, embedded extension services to target households, and trainings on input utilization and drug administration for target households. Purpose and Objectives of the Grant: The overall objective of this RFA is to identify 6 agro-dealers that will create/improve input supply access in at least the following areas: agro-chemicals, vegetable seeds, animal feed, veterinary drugs, husbandry equipment, advisory services, and training for the target households.

For more detailed information please find the attached link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lT8kGj1mKUdkUCJ3XVXduPRfppyT6v6l/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=111744726368517315413&rtpof=true&sd=true

Location

• For Simada woreda we need 2 agro-dealers
• For Tach Gayient woreda we need 2 agro-dealers
• For Lay Gayient woreda we need 1 agro-dealer
• For Sahila woreda we need 1 Agro dealer 

Work experience : 2-5 years

Eligibility/Required Qualifications:

• To be considered, applicants must be Agro-dealers or private business owners with agricultural-related business experience. These entities must be officially registered as private enterprises and legally allowed to conduct business in Ethiopia. They also must be multi-purpose agricultural input suppliers for crop and animal, currently operating in LD woredas and providing agricultural inputs and services to the target communities.
• Additionally, applicants must have:
• A functioning governance and management structure
• Physical presence in the intervention areas
• Other co-investment for the project (e.g., by owners, members, or others)
• A clear and compelling business/project and financing plan.
• Proven technical experience in implementing the proposed grant activity in the target sector and Landscape.