TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE CONSULTANCY SERVICES ON TECHNICAL SUPPORT ON CLIMATE SMART FARMING PRACTICES.
INTRODUCTION
SOS Children?s Villages Somalia (SOS Somalia) is part of SOS Children?s Villages International, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that is non-profit, non-sectarian, non-partisan and has been in existence since 1985 in Somalia. Currently, SOS Somalia manages one Village, a kindergarten, a primary school and secondary school in Mogadishu. In addition, SOS also manages Family Strengthening, youth economic and employment development, Emergency, Health, GBV/CP protections and Nutrition programme in Banadir, Hirshabelle state and South state of Somalia.
The last two years, SOS Somalia has been expanding its geographical areas and core business to promote and strengthen endeavours to contribute to the achievement of organization target SDGs and to the situation that every child in Somalia develops within a caring family environment to his/her full potential as a self-supporting and contributing member of society. To achieve these goals, the association works through a programmatic approach geared towards Family Strengthening, Alternative Care, Youth Development and employment, emergency program and economic Development programmes.
SOS Somalia is currently implementing a ?Climate Smart farming project? in Baidoa, south west state of Somalia. The project aims to support vulnerable communities in setting up climate smart farms, essentially by using the hydroponic farming method. Initially SOS invests into community training on the hydroponic systems and supports the adaption of this innovative farming practices in the area. The project aims to address the gaps in food security by increasing productivity and family incomes. On this background SOS intends to solicit the services of technical consultant or consultancy firm to provide technical expertise during the project start-up-phase including the provision of training and technical support in the field.
BACKGROUND
Agriculture is an important economic activity in Somalia not only in terms of meeting the food needs of the population but also in terms of generating income through crop sales and agricultural labor opportunities for the local population. However, in recent decades, agriculture has increasingly been affected by climate variability including fragile and degraded natural environment and more frequent and severe cycles of drought and floods which have led to the abandonment of farming areas and hence an overall decline in agricultural activities and production has increased.
Drought intensity and occurrence have increased, and the vulnerable Somali communities bears the brunt of its consequences including hunger, environmental damage, scarce economic opportunities and social instability. Agriculture, in particular, is a sector that used to supports 40% of the Somali population?s primary livelihoods, but currently suffering from persistent droughts. Likewise, water scarcity