Amendment 1_revised RFP 72036724R00001 USAID Agricultural Transformation.pdf

AMENDMENT NO. 01, RFP NO. 72036724R00001 DATE: November 9, 2023

Issuance Date: October 22, 2023

Closing Date/Time for Questions: November 1, 2023, 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time

Closing Date/Time for Receipt of Phase 1 Proposals: November 22, 2023, 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time

Subject: Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 72036724R00001 Feed the Future Nepal USAID Agricultural Transformation

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking proposals to provide technical assistance and support to USAID/Nepal’s Economic Growth Office to catalyze the transformation of Nepal’s agricultural sector required for inclusive economic growth as described in this Request for Proposals (RFP). USAID anticipates the award of a Cost-Plus-Fixed Fee (CPFF) Completion type contract for an anticipated five-year period. The overall estimated cost of this procurement is between $55.0 million and $60.0 million.

USAID invites all interested and responsible organizations to submit offers in accordance with the requirements of this solicitation. USAID will conduct this procurement as a full and open competition, as set forth in Federal Acquisition Regulation (“FAR”) Part 15. Proposals will be accepted from eligible organizations. USAID encourages participation in this activity to the maximum extent possible of small business concerns, small, disadvantaged business concerns, and women-owned small business concerns as a prime contractor or as a subcontractor. The geographic code for this procurement is 937, and the NAICS code is 541690, Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services.

Please refer to Section L for information regarding proposal requirements. Offerors should take into account the expected delivery time required by the proposal transmission method, and they are responsible for ensuring proposals are received at USAID by the due date and time as specified above. Failure to comply with the submission date will deem any submission unacceptable and it will not be reviewed or evaluated. Section M states the criteria by which proposals will be evaluated. Pursuant to Block 12 of Standard Form 33 of this RFP, offers must remain valid for 220 days.

Any questions regarding the RFP’s requirements must be submitted no later than the time and date stated above to Contracting Officer, Robyn Bertholon, at rbertholon@usaid.gov, and Acquisition and Assistance Specialist, Nalinee Wichetthumsak at nwichetthumsak@usaid.gov.

mailto:mtelevantos@usaid.gov mailto:nwichetthumsak@usaid.gov

Feed the Future Nepal USAID Agricultural Transformation Solicitation No.: 72036724R00001

This RFP in no way obligates USAID to award a contract nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of a proposal. Award of a contract under this RFP is subject to availability of funds and other internal USAID approvals. This RFP can be viewed and downloaded from www.sam.gov. USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes. Further, be aware that amendments to solicitations are occasionally issued and will be posted on the same website from which you downloaded the solicitation. USAID advises to regularly check the above website for amendments.

Sincerely, Maria Televantos Contracting Officer USAID/Nepal http://www.sam.gov http://www.fedbizopps.gov/

Table of Contents

Table of Contents 3

PART I-SCHEDULE 8

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS 8

B.1 PURPOSE 8

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE 8

B.3 ESTIMATED COST, FIXED FEE, AND OBLIGATED AMOUNT 8

B.4 BUDGET 8

B.5 INDIRECT COSTS AND ADVANCED UNDERSTANDING ON CEILINGS 9

B.6 COST REIMBURSABLE 9

B.7 PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE 10

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK 11

C.1 TITLE OF ACTIVITY 11

C.2 PURPOSE 11

C.3 CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND 11

C.4 GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS, TARGET POPULATION, AND COMMODITY FOCUS 19

C.5 ACTIVITY APPROACH AND OBJECTIVES 21

C.6 CROSS CUTTING WORK AND GUIDING IMPLEMENTATION PRINCIPLES 37

C.7 MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING 43

SECTION D – PACKAGING AND MARKING 46

D.1 AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (JAN 1993) 46

D.2 BRANDING STRATEGY 46

D.3 BRANDING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (BIP) AND MARKING PLAN (MP) 47

SECTION E – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE 48

E.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 48

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE 48

E.3 RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL 48

SECTION F – DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE 49

F.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 49

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE 49

F.3 AUTHORIZED WORK DAY/WEEK 49

F.4 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE 49

F.5 REPORTS AND PLANS 49

F.6 MINIMUM DELIVERABLES OR RESULTS MATRIX 62

F.7 PERSONNEL 63

F.8 PERFORMANCE MONITORING STANDARDS 65

SECTION G—CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA 66

G.1 AIDAR 752.7003 DOCUMENTATION FOR PAYMENT (NOV 1998) 66

G.2 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S AUTHORITY 67

G.3 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICE 67

G.4 PAYING OFFICE 68

G.5 INVOICING INSTRUCTIONS 68

G.6 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR) 68

G.7 TECHNICAL DIRECTIONS/RELATIONSHIP WITH USAID 68

G.8 ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA 70

SECTION H – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS 71

H.1 AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE 71

H.2 ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS SYSTEM 71

H.3 LIMITATION ON ACQUISITION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (APRIL 2018) (DEVIATION

NOs. M-OAA-DEV-FAR-22-03c and M-OAA-DEV-AIDAR-22-06c) 72

H.4 LOGISTICS SUPPORT 73

H.5 ADS 302.3.5.19 USAID-FINANCED THIRD-PARTY WEB SITES (NOV 2017) 73

H.6 RESTRICTIONS AGAINST DISCLOSURE (MAY 2016)(DEVIATION NO.

M-OAA-DEV-AIDAR-22-06c) 75

H.7 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE 75

H.8 ADS 302.3.5.21 SUBMISSION OF DATASETS TO THE DEVELOPMENT DATA LIBRARY (DDL)

(October 2014) 77

H.9 PROHIBITION OF ASSISTANCE TO DRUG TRAFFICKERS 78

H.10 EXECUTIVE ORDER ON TERRORISM FINANCING 78

H.11 FOREIGN GOVERNMENT DELEGATIONS TO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES (JAN 2002) 79

H.12 LIMITING PLASTIC POLLUTION AND MISMANAGED WASTE (MARCH 2020) 79

H.13 CONSENT TO SUBCONTRACT 79

H.14 EXCHANGE VISITORS AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES 80

H.15 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST 81

H.16 DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION 82

H.17 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL 83

H.18 LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS 83

H.19 PRESS RELATIONS 83

H.20 STANDARDS OF CONDUCT -- IMPROPER BUSINESS PRACTICES 83

H.21 INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY ACCESSIBILITY (APRIL 2018)

(DEVIATION NO. M-OAA-DEV-AIDAR-22-06C) 84

H.22 LOCAL TAXES 85

H.23 GRANTS UNDER CONTRACT 85

H.24 SEXUAL MISCONDUCT (DECEMBER 2020) 88

H.25 PERSONNEL COMPENSATION (JULY 2007) 88

H.26 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONNEL COMPENSATION 88

H.27 GENDER CONSIDERATION 90

H.28 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND DISCLAIMER (DECEMBER 1991) 90

H.29 SUBCONTRACTING PLAN AND REPORTING 91

H.30 FAR Part 4.21 PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING FOR CERTAIN COVERED

TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (SECTION 889)

(JUNE 2023) 91

PART II – CONTRACT CLAUSES 93

SECTION I – CONTRACT CLAUSES 93

I.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 93

I.2 FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998) 93

I.3 AIDAR 752.252-1 AIDAR SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (MAR

2015) 96

I.4 FAR 52.203-13 CONTRACTOR CODE OF BUSINESS ETHICS AND CONDUCT (NOV 2021) 97

I.5 FAR 52.204-1 APPROVAL OF CONTRACT (DEC 1989) 101

I.6 FAR 52.222-36 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR WORKERS WITH DISABILITIES (JUN 2020) 101

I.7 FAR 52.222-50 COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (NOV 2021) 101

I.8 FAR 52.229-8 TAXES – FOREIGN COST-REIMBURSEMENT CONTRACTS (MAR 1990) 109

I.9 FAR 52.244-2 SUBCONTRACTS (JUN 2020) ALTERNATE I (JUN 2020) 109

I.10 AIDAR 752.222-70 USAID DISABILITY POLICY (DEC 2004) 111

I.11 AIDAR 752.228-3 WORKER’S COMPENSATION INSURANCE (DEFENSE BASE ACT) (DEC 1991)

[(DEVIATION JUN 2022)] CLASS DEVIATION NO. M-OAA-DEV-AIDAR-22-10C 112

I.12 AIDAR 752.229-71 REPORTING OF FOREIGN TAXES (JULY 2007) 113

I.13 AIDAR 752.231-72 CONFERENCE PLANNING AND REQUIRED APPROVALS (AUG 2013)

[DEVIATION (APR 2022)] 114

I.14 AIDAR 752.231-71 SALARY SUPPLEMENTS FOR HOST GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (MAR 2015)

I.15 AIDAR 752.242-70 PERIODIC PROGRESS REPORTS (OCT 2007) 116

I.16 AIDAR 752.245-70 GOVERNMENT PROPERTY – USAID REPORTING REQUIREMENTS (OCT

2017) 117

I.17 AIDAR 752.7005, SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE

DOCUMENTS (SEPT 2013) 119

I.18 AIDAR 752.7013 CONTRACTOR-MISSION RELATIONSHIPS (OCT 1989) [DEVIATION (JUN

2018)] 120

I.19 AIDAR 752.7032 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL APPROVAL AND NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

(APR 2014) 121

PART III—LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS 123

SECTION J—LIST OF EXHIBITS AND ATTACHMENTS 123

PART IV – REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS 124

SECTION K – REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS 124

K.1 NOTICE LISTING FAR SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 124

K.2 FAR 52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (MAR 2023) 124

K.3 FAR 52.204-20 PREDECESSOR OF OFFEROR (AUG 2020) 129

K.4 FAR 52.204-24 REPRESENTATION REGARDING CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO

SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (NOV 2021) 130

K.5 FAR 52.204-26 COVERED TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT OR SERVICES-

REPRESENTATION (OCT 2020) 133

K.6 FAR 52.209-5 CERTIFICATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (AUG 2020) 134

K.7 FAR 52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (OCT 2018) 136

K.8 FAR 52.209-11 REPRESENTATION BY CORPORATIONS REGARDING DELINQUENT TAX LIABILITY

OR A FELONY CONVICTION UNDER ANY FEDERAL LAW (FEB 2016) 138

K.9 FAR 52.209-12 CERTIFICATION REGARDING TAX MATTERS (OCT 2020) 138

K.10 FAR 52.222-22 PREVIOUS CONTRACTS AND COMPLIANCE REPORTS (FEB 1999) 139

K.11 FAR 52.222-25 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION COMPLIANCE (APR 1984) 139

K.12 FAR 52.223-1 BIOBASED PRODUCT CERTIFICATION (MAY 2012) 139

K.13 FAR 52.223-22 PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND REDUCTION

GOALS-REPRESENTATION (DEC 2016) 140

K.14 FAR 52.230-1 COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOTICES AND CERTIFICATION (JUN 2020) 140

K.15 FAR 52.230-7 – PROPOSAL DISCLOSURE-COST ACCOUNTING PRACTICE CHANGES (APR 2005)

K.16 INSURANCE – IMMUNITY FROM TORT LIABILITY 144

K.17 AUTHORIZED NEGOTIATORS 144

K.18 SIGNATURE 144

SECTION L – INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS 145

L.1 FAR 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998) 145

L.2 FAR 52.216-1 TYPE OF CONTRACT (APR 1984) 145

L.3 FAR 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006) 146

L.4 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS 146

L.5 PROPOSAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS 149

L.6 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE PHASE ONE PROPOSAL 151

L.7 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE PHASE TWO TECHNICAL PROPOSAL 152

L.8 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE COST/BUSINESS PROPOSAL 158

L.9 GOVERNMENT OBLIGATION 169

L.10 WAIVERS UNDER FAR PART 4.2101 PROHIBITION ON COVERED TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND

VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT (JUNE 2023) 169

L.11 FAR 52.201-1 ACQUISITION 360: VOLUNTARY SURVEY (SEPT 2023) 170

SECTION M – EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD 171

M.1 GENERAL INFORMATION 171

M.2 PHASE ONE ADVISORY NOTIFICATION 171

M.3 EVALUATION FACTOR - PHASE ONE 172

M.4 EVALUATION FACTOR - PHASE TWO 172

M.6 COST EVALUATION 174

M.7 DETERMINATION OF THE COMPETITIVE RANGE 175

M.8 SOURCE SELECTION 176

M.9 CONTRACT AWARD 176

ATTACHMENT J.1 - INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION #ASIA 22-080 177

ATTACHMENT J.2 - CONTRACTOR PAST PERFORMANCE INFORMATION MATRIX 195

ATTACHMENT J.3 - USAID SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTING PLAN TEMPLATE AND ATTACHMENT

A: SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION PLAN TEMPLATE 196

PART I-SCHEDULE

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this contract is to provide services that fall within the Statement of Work (SOW) specified in Section C of this Activity, titled, “Feed the Future Nepal USAID Agricultural Transformation.”

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE

This is a cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) completion type contract. For the consideration set forth in the contract, the Contractor must provide the deliverables or outputs described in Section C and F in accordance with the performance standards specified herein.

B.3 ESTIMATED COST, FIXED FEE, AND OBLIGATED AMOUNT

(a) The estimated cost for the performance of the work required hereunder, exclusive of fixed fee, if any, is TBD. The fixed fee for the contract period is TBD. The total estimated cost plus fixed fee is TBD.

(b) Within the estimated cost plus fixed fee specified in paragraph (a) above, the amount currently obligated and available for reimbursement of allowable costs incurred by the Contractor (and payment of fee, if any) for performance hereunder is TBD. The Contractor must not exceed the aforesaid obligated amount unless authorized by the Contracting Officer pursuant to the clause of this contract titled “Limitation of Funds” (FAR 52.232-22).

B.4 BUDGET

(a) The budget for this contract is as follows:

Line Item Total Direct Costs Grants under Contract $8,460,000.00 Indirect Costs Total Estimated Cost Fixed Fee Total Cost plus Fixed Fee

(b) The inclusion of any costs in the above cost categories does not obviate the requirement for prior approval by the Contracting Officer of cost items designated as requiring prior approval by any of the terms and conditions of this contract, including the applicable cost principles (see FAR § 52.216-07, “Allowable Cost and Payment”); nor does it constitute a determination of allowability by the Contracting Officer of any item of cost, unless specifically stated elsewhere in this contract. Also, these amounts may not be adjusted without a written modification signed by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor must not bill any amounts against this contract in excess of the amounts specified for each line item.

B.5 INDIRECT COSTS AND ADVANCED UNDERSTANDING ON CEILINGS

Pending establishment of revised provisional or final indirect cost rates, allowable indirect costs shall be reimbursed on the basis of the following negotiated provisional or predetermined rates and the appropriate bases for the Contractor:

Contractor Fringe Rate %

Overhead Rate %

Overhead Ceiling Rate%

G&A Rate %

G&A Ceiling Rate %

PRIME (Insert Name) Base of Application Source: (insert) Period: (insert)

NOTE: Insert additional indirect rates as needed for the Contractor in the above table.

*Special Note: The un-shaded columns in the indirect cost table are the current approved indirect cost rates for the Contractor.

The Contractor will make no change in its established method of classifying or allocating indirect costs that impacts this contract without the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

Reimbursement for indirect costs must be at final negotiated rates, but not in excess of ceiling rates specified above.

The Government must not be obligated to pay any additional amount associated with indirect costs above the ceiling rates established in the contract. This advance understanding must not change any monetary ceiling, cost limitation, or obligation established in the contract.

Note: Contractors are allowed to recoup indirect costs (OH, G&A, etc.) as other direct costs if it is part of the contractor’s usual accounting procedures, consistent with FAR Part 31 and the contractor’s NICRA.

B.6 COST REIMBURSABLE

The U.S. dollar costs allowable must be limited to reasonable, allocable and necessary costs determined in accordance with FAR 31 (Contract Cost Principles), FAR 52.216-7 (ALLOWABLE COST AND PAYMENT), FAR 52.216-8 (FIXED FEE), if applicable, and USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR) 752.7003 (Documentation for Payment).

B.7 PAYMENT OF FIXED FEE

Pursuant to FAR 16.306(d) “Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Contracts”, a percentage (70%) of the payment of the fixed fee under this contract is tied to the completion of the deliverables/results described in Section C and F.6 of this contract and in accordance with the approved Fee Schedule below.

[Table to be completed by the Offeror and incorporated into the award in accordance with Section L.7]:

Deliverable/Result Achievement Threshold

% of Fee Fee ($)

TBD TBD TBD TBD

TBD TBD TBD TBD

TBD TBD TBD TBD

Upon successful completion of a deliverable, the Contractor must provide evidence of its achievement to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and the Contracting Officer (CO).

Upon COR receipt and written acceptance of a deliverable, the Contractor must submit an invoice for the amount of the associated fee including evidence of completion of the deliverables for which fee is claimed.

Payment of the remaining (30%) of fixed fee, subject to the terms stated in FAR 52.216-8, may be made upon receipt of a proper invoice. Subject to FAR 52.216-8, Fixed Fee, payment of fixed fee shall be allocated based upon the proportion of the invoiced amount in the period covered by the invoice to the total estimated cost of the periods of the contract not including fixed fee.

In the event of discontinuance of the work in accordance with the clause of the contract entitled “Termination (Cost Reimbursement)” (FAR 52.249-6), the fee must be re-determined by mutual agreement equitably to reflect the reduction in the work actually performed. The amount by which such fee is less than, or exceeds, payments previously made on account of the fee must be paid to, or repaid by the Contractor, as applicable.

[END OF SECTION B]

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 TITLE OF ACTIVITY

The title of this activity is Feed the Future Nepal USAID Agricultural Transformation.

C.2 PURPOSE

The purpose of Feed the Future Nepal USAID Agricultural Transformation (“the Activity”) is to catalyze the transformation of Nepal’s agricultural sector required for inclusive economic growth. The widely-recognized process of agricultural transformation is characterized by the transition from subsistence farming to diversified, commercial farming and to increased off-farm employment and income generation driven by agricultural growth.1 It is brought about through targeted efforts to rapidly enhance farm productivity, add value, and increase market competitiveness, harnessing agriculture as an engine of growth for the broader economy. The Activity builds on the past success of USAID Nepal’s Feed the Future (FTF) program by strengthening the market systems of strategic value chains, and by aligning agricultural development with efforts to promote food security, improve nutrition, and build the resilience of rural farming communities, especially to risks posed by climate change. Feed the Future Nepal USAID Agricultural Transformation will require broad buy-in and alignment on a range of critical reforms and investments across a wide spectrum of public and private sector stakeholders. Leveraging relationships forged over more than a decade of implementing FTF, the objectives were developed in consultation with key actors involved in the transformation effort.

Through this consultative process, USAID has prioritized four objectives for this Activity:

Objective 1: Agricultural productivity, competitiveness, and diversification increased

Objective 2: Enabling environment for private sector investment in agriculture and equitable access to market systems improved

Objective 3: Climate and economic resilience of women, youth, and marginalized communities enhanced

Objective 4: Capacity of national agricultural research institutions and extension systems strengthened.

C.3 CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND

Across several metrics of readiness for agricultural transformation, Nepal demonstrates strong potential. Sixty percent of the population is currently employed in agriculture, making it the predominant economic activity. However, the total value of agriculture’s contribution to GDP remains relatively low at just 26.8 percent, demonstrating that agriculture is an

1 See Timmer, 1988, Gollin et al, 2002, Christiaensen et al, 2010; GFSS Technical Guidance, Strategy Objective 1: Inclusive and Sustainable Agricultural-Led Economic Growth.

https://agrilinks.org/post/guidance-and-tools-global-food-security-programs https://agrilinks.org/post/guidance-and-tools-global-food-security-programs under-productive sector with room for growth. Low returns in agriculture reflect low productivity, a lack of diversification and competitiveness, and a highly constrained enabling environment for private investment in agriculture compared to other sectors.

On the path to agricultural transformation, most countries initially demonstrate an increase in agriculture’s contribution to GDP, which then decreases over time as the relative contribution of other sectors of the economy rise. In light of this, the decline in agriculture's contribution to GDP since 2010/11 (Figure 1) might be interpreted as a positive sign of economic growth in Nepal. However, the other sectors of the economy have not risen to match the expected trend of broad-based economic transformation. According to a recent Government of Nepal (GON) Economic Survey, the relative share of total value from industry and services as a contribution to Nepal’s GDP was estimated at just 12.8 percent and 60.4 percent respectively in 2020/212.

The reality is that in Nepal, overall economic growth is faltering. Despite slow but steady GDP growth averaging 4.5 percent from 2000-2019, the trend reversed in 2020, at a rate of -2 percent, largely attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic.3

Figure 1. Contribution of the Agriculture Sector to the GDP4

In recent years Nepal has succeeded in reducing multidimensional poverty, with the incidence decreasing from 59 percent in 2006 to 17.4 percent in 2019.5 However, it is important to note that this achievement does not fully reflect continuing regional and demographic disparities.

Monetary poverty in Nepal is predominantly rural; and regional variation is high, with Karnali, Sudurpaschim, and Madhesh Provinces reporting higher headcount ratios of 39.5 percent, 25.3 percent, and 24.2 percent, respectively. In addition, historically marginalized groups from the Tarai/Madhesh communities are among the poorest in Nepal.6 Nepal has also succeeded in sharply reducing the prevalence of childhood stunting, from 57 percent in 2001 to 25 percent in 2022 (NDHS 2022 Key Indicators result). However, similar regional and social disparities exist in nutrition and food security as in poverty. The proportion of households experiencing food insufficiency is far higher for marginalized groups, such as Hill Dalits (53.2 percent) and Madhesi

6https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280216061_Nepal_Social_Inclusion_Survey_2012_Caste_Ethnic_and_Gender_Dime nsions_of_Socio-economic_Development_Governance_and_Social_Solidarity

5 Nepal Multidimensional Poverty Index Report, 2018 and 2021

4 https://www.mof.gov.np/uploads/document/file/1633341980_Economic%20Survey%20(Engslish)%202020-21.pdf

3 World Bank Development Indicators: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG?locations=NP

2 Government of Nepal, Ministry of Finance, Economic Survey 2076/77 (in Nepali), 2021 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280216061_Nepal_Social_Inclusion_Survey_2012_Caste_Ethnic_and_Gender_Dimensions_of_Socio-economic_Development_Governance_and_Social_Solidarity https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280216061_Nepal_Social_Inclusion_Survey_2012_Caste_Ethnic_and_Gender_Dimensions_of_Socio-economic_Development_Governance_and_Social_Solidarity https://ophi.org.uk/nepal-multidimensional-poverty-index-2018/ https://npc.gov.np/images/category/MPI_Report_2021_for_web.pdf https://www.mof.gov.np/uploads/document/file/1633341980_Economic%20Survey%20(Engslish)%202020-21.pdf https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG?locations=NP

Dalits (59.3 percent), and Mountain/Hill Janajati and Muslim populations.7 Meanwhile, progress on wasting, a measure of acute malnutrition, has stalled.

COVID-19 and its impact on the agriculture sector: Beginning in March 2020, the GON imposed a stringent nationwide lockdown that lasted until July 2020. This was followed by multiple localized lockdowns across Nepal, which limited movement consequently suspending the majority of economic activities. The resultant economic shock sent ripples through the agriculture sector and allied economic segments. The lockdown and the limitations that it placed on the food system were particularly evident in the crippling effects on the distribution of vegetables, dairy, and other agriculture products including cereals and livestock. The disturbance in small-scale plantation, weeding, crop management, harvesting, and distribution meant that farmers found it difficult to generate sufficient income. Lack of adequate supply of fertilizers, pesticides, and seeds due to limited movement and decrease in economic activities affected the supply side of the agriculture value chain.

The impact of the pandemic on the value chains of agriculture products posed severe difficulties for farmers and other stakeholders in managing their cash flow and to address future needs.

Also, it became difficult for them to obtain credit and/or loans at a reasonable rate of interest due to increased risk of default, as depicted in figure 2.

Figure 2: COVID-19 Impacts in Agriculture

C.3.1 Problem Statement

Since the agriculture sector is the largest employer in Nepal,8 growth in agricultural productivity is crucial for both overall GDP growth and poverty reduction. Over the past two decades, growth from value-added activities, both on and off farm, has been low and highly volatile from year to year. Many factors contribute to the poor performance of agriculture, including inadequate delivery of technologies and support services to farmers, armed conflict, labor shortages in rural areas, political instability, limited investment in agriculture from both public and private sectors, and most recently, the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, the agriculture sector has become less competitive in both domestic and export markets. Key problems that need to be addressed to achieve the agricultural transformation agenda in Nepal have been characterized into two broader critical development constraints: a) those related to investment

8 https://southasia.ifpri.info/files/2020/10/SYN_2020_Nepal_R3.pdf

7 Bollinger, Catherine. Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Literature Review for Knowledge-Based Integrated Sustainable Agriculture in Nepal (KISAN) II, Global Best Practices, July 2016; Nepal National and Social Inclusion Report, 2012 https://southasia.ifpri.info/files/2020/10/SYN_2020_Nepal_R3.pdf and growth; and b) those related to the inclusiveness of growth.

C.3.1.1 Critical constraints to investment in agriculture

Weak governance and low capacity of local governments: The major agricultural issues faced by local governments in Nepal’s federalized structure pertain to weak quality of extension services, difficulty in accessing agricultural inputs, lack of market linkages, weak human resource management, and poor coordination with the other tiers of government.

Low level of labor productivity: While labor productivity has a direct impact on the livelihoods of farmers as well as overall GDP9, the labor productivity in the agriculture sector remains stagnant over the past several years in Nepal. The agricultural value added per worker in Nepal (a measure of productivity) is nearly one-fifth of the global average. This stands in contrast with other developing Asian countries, where labor productivity has grown faster. For example, Nepal’s labor productivity improved by 3.56 percent year-over-year in December 2019, compared with a growth of 3.33 percent in the previous year10.

Inadequate technological innovations: Evidence shows that sound and sustained investment in agricultural science and technology is key to increasing agricultural productivity, reducing poverty, and fostering economic growth. Farmers’ access to technology, technical knowledge, and institutional credit is still severely restricted, particularly in the remote parts of Nepal.

Technological change in agriculture since the 1960s has led to only modest improvements in yields of traditional crops. This slow growth in cereal productivity reflects slow rates of technological change, such as, slow pace of introduction of improved varieties and other improved agricultural practices. Cereal production of Nepal increased from 3.42 million metric tons in 1969 to 9.93 million metric tons in 2018 growing at an average annual rate of 2.62 percent11.

Inadequate infrastructure: The FTF Innovation Lab for Nutrition conducted research revealing that roads and bridges are especially important for moderating price levels and price volatility in Nepal’s rice and wheat markets12. Agriculture infrastructure has the potential to transform the existing traditional agriculture or subsistence farming into a modern, commercial and dynamic farming system13. The common ways that infrastructure typically influences economic growth include lower input costs, improved worker productivity, and greater long-term job creation14.

Agriculture-related infrastructure can be grouped under following categories15:

● Input based infrastructure: seed, fertilizer, pesticide

● Farm equipment and machinery

15 https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/linked-documents/cps-nep-2013-2017-ssa-04.pdf

14 https://www.newbusinessage.com/MagazineArticles/view/1030

13https://www.findevgateway.org/sites/default/files/publications/files/mfg-en-paper-infrastructure-for-agriculture-rural-develo pment-in-india-need-for-a-comprehensive-program-adequate-investment-sep-2010.pdf

12 https://agrilinks.org/post/role-markets-and-infrastructure-supporting-sustainable-food-systems

11 https://knoema.com/atlas/Nepal/Cereal-production

10 https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/nepal/labour-productivity-growth

9 A Report on Market Data for Private Sector Investments in Nepal Agriculture Sector, Dolma Development Fund and UKAID https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/linked-documents/cps-nep-2013-2017-ssa-04.pdf https://www.newbusinessage.com/MagazineArticles/view/1030 https://www.findevgateway.org/sites/default/files/publications/files/mfg-en-paper-infrastructure-for-agriculture-rural-development-in-india-need-for-a-comprehensive-program-adequate-investment-sep-2010.pdf https://www.findevgateway.org/sites/default/files/publications/files/mfg-en-paper-infrastructure-for-agriculture-rural-development-in-india-need-for-a-comprehensive-program-adequate-investment-sep-2010.pdf https://agrilinks.org/post/role-markets-and-infrastructure-supporting-sustainable-food-systems https://knoema.com/atlas/Nepal/Cereal-production https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/nepal/labour-productivity-growth https://www.dolmaimpact.com/pdf/DIF%20I-%20Education%20Market%20Report_Final_1-10-2014.pdf

● Resource based infrastructure: road connectivity, transport, storage, processing, preservation

● Institutional infrastructure: agriculture research, extension, education technology

While most of the infrastructure development has the critical role of public sector investments to crowd-in private investment in the growth of agriculture, construction or building hard infrastructure is not authorized for this Activity. However, the Contractor must coordinate with other donors, GON, and private sector actors to promote investment in infrastructure that strengthens Nepal’s food security.

Low competitiveness: The high costs of doing business drives a lack of competitiveness for Nepali farmers and other entrepreneurs in the food system. Economists say low returns from agriculture is the key reason behind its falling allure among Nepali youth. Internal factors of the low competitiveness of Nepal's agriculture sector are poor infrastructure development, a slow rate of technology transfer, and policy constraints on private sector investment.16 Among marginalized populations, a lack of inclusion in market systems compounds and exacerbates these constraints.

C.3.1.2 Critical constraints to inclusiveness of growth

While a lack of lucrative employment opportunities sets the stage for high rates of poverty, unequal access to opportunities is also a key contributing factor. Lack of inclusion in the agriculture sector also limits efforts to improve agricultural productivity.

Opportunities to improve agricultural productivity are unequally distributed: The three important determinants of agricultural performance are access to land; access to inputs; and ability to commercialize and diversify agricultural activity, i.e., move away from subsistence agriculture. In Nepal, the combination of subsistence agriculture from small landholdings and unequal access to irrigation undermines agricultural productivity for certain groups of the population, particularly the poorest. Despite some improvement in recent years, access to key inputs such as improved seeds and fertilizers also remains unequal. Agricultural diversification remains limited; cereals continue to dominate Nepalese agriculture as the main agricultural product for most households.

Availability of nonagricultural employment opportunities is concentrated in main urban centers:

While self-employed agricultural activities provide employment for many Nepali workers, there is a significant variation in occupations across the country. In terms of geography, for instance, nonagricultural employment opportunities are much more available in Kathmandu and, to a lesser extent, in rural areas including in other urban areas. For agricultural transformation to be successful, more people in rural areas will need to find new ways to overcome geographic and social exclusion to access diverse sources of income, including through agribusiness and

16https://kathmandupost.com/money/2021/06/29/nepal-wants-to-be-an-agriculture-driven-economy-but-future-of-the-sector-i s-in-crisis, https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/10/5/143 https://kathmandupost.com/money/2021/06/29/nepal-wants-to-be-an-agriculture-driven-economy-but-future-of-the-sector-is-in-crisis https://kathmandupost.com/money/2021/06/29/nepal-wants-to-be-an-agriculture-driven-economy-but-future-of-the-sector-is-in-crisis https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/10/5/143 non-agricultural employment opportunities.

C.3.1.3 Country readiness for agricultural transformation

There are a number of opportunities for achieving agricultural transformation in Nepal including positive food and agriculture supply and demand prospects, the emerging political commitment for change and transformation, the emerging global convergence around key transformation goals, and evidence on Nepal’s own encouraging agricultural performance over the past few years. Nepal can convert these opportunities into tangible possibilities. In general, factors such as business enabling environment, sufficient storage infrastructure, the country’s agricultural investment plan, consultation processes among the key stakeholders and effective coordination mechanism at the sub-national level, are assessed to determine the country’s readiness for transformation. Figure17 3 below explains Nepal’s readiness for agricultural transformation.

Figure 3: Country readiness for the agricultural transformation

C.3.2 Relation to USAID’s Strategy

Consistent with USAID’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS18) which aims to

18 https://www.usaid.gov/nepal/cdcs

17 Budget for 2075/76 to 2077/78 -https://www.investopaper.com/news/budget-for-agriculture-nepal/#:~:text=The%20government%20allocated%20Rs%2034.80, billion%20or%20about%2019%20percent.

https://www.usaid.gov/nepal/cdcs https://www.investopaper.com/news/budget-for-agriculture-nepal/#:~:text=The%20government%20allocated%20Rs%2034.80,billion%20or%20about%2019%20percent https://www.investopaper.com/news/budget-for-agriculture-nepal/#:~:text=The%20government%20allocated%20Rs%2034.80,billion%20or%20about%2019%20percent https://www.investopaper.com/news/budget-for-agriculture-nepal/#:~:text=The%20government%20allocated%20Rs%2034.80,billion%20or%20about%2019%20percent help Nepal become a self-reliant, prosperous, and inclusive nation, this Activity will contribute to the achievement of USAID/Nepal’s CDCS Development Objective 2: Broad-based and inclusive economic growth fostered, and specifically to Intermediate Result (IR) 2.1: Inclusive, private sector driven growth in agriculture promoted; IR 2.3: Economic Governance & Business Enabling Environment Improved; and IR 2.4: Marginalized Communities Integrated into Market Systems.

The broader theory of change for agricultural transformation in Nepal, which extends beyond the scope of this Activity, demonstrates alignment with USAID’s strategic approach for broad-based and inclusive economic growth. It follows the logic that as farm productivity is improved through technological advancement and efficiency, larger markets will be served, agro-processing industries will expand, and many farmers and farm laborers will be driven to seek off-farm employment that offers better economic opportunities. Concurrently, as the agriculture sector becomes more efficient and less labor-intensive, labor will be freed up and absorbed into off-farm and non-agricultural sectors of the economy, while USAID, other development partners, and the private sector will increasingly invest in other productive sectors of the economy, allowing the manufacturing and service sectors to grow rapidly. USAID will ensure that this Activity focuses on enhancing the participation of women, youth, and marginalized populations in formal economic activities and supporting the formulation and implementation of gender sensitive and socially inclusive economic laws and policies so that the resulting structural transformation will accelerate USAID’s CDCS development objective to foster broad-based and inclusive economic growth.

To achieve these higher level goals, the CDCS draws on federalism, inclusion, and resilience as key strategies. The table below identifies how they will be incorporated into the activity. (table 1).

Table 1: CDCS priorities for federalism, inclusiveness and resilience

Federalism Inclusion Resilience

● Hold all 3 tiers of government accountable for service delivery.

● Impart capacity building for the officials across the tiers.

● Leverage resource contributions from the 3 tiers.

● Provide context specific services, information, and access to resources for the diverse women, youth and marginalized groups (WYM).

● Facilitate partnerships with private sector, GON, civil society and all value chain actors to strengthen the ability for WYM to engage.

● Build economic resilience by engaging the private sector.

● Create job opportunities for rural youth to reduce migration.

● Promote climate resilient technologies for increasing on-farm and off-farm productivity, while promoting climate change adaptation and mitigation.

C.3.3 Alignment with GON’s strategy

Feed the Future Nepal USAID Agricultural Transformation must contribute to GON’s priority to transition from the Least Developed Country category to Middle Income Developed category by

202619.

This Activity must contribute to the GON’s long-term vision for agricultural development as expressed in the Agriculture Development Strategy 2015-203520 (by advancing each of the four outcome areas that comprise the strategy: Governance, Productivity, Competitiveness, and Profitable Commercialization. This Activity will build the strategic partnership with the government at all three tiers. In doing so, it will build their capacity to replicate business models and best practices that promote agricultural transformation, a central goal of GON’s agricultural development agenda.

C.3.4 Alignment with USAID Nepal Feed The Future (FTF) Strategy

The U.S. Government supports Nepal’s efforts to improve food security and nutrition through the FTF initiative. Guided by the U.S. Government’s Global Food Security Strategy (GFSS), FTF interventions in Nepal seek to strengthen the role of smallholder farmers, marginalized, and excluded populations in market systems. This activity will complement FTF activities and contribute to the GFSS Country Plan21 for Nepal by directly addressing Objective 1: Inclusive and sustainable agriculture-led economic growth and Objective 2: Strengthened resilience among people and systems. Once a new GFSS Country Plan is in place, the Contractor must ensure strategic support and alignment with that new Plan.

C.3.5 Program linkage

C.3.5.1 Relationship to Other FTF Activities

FTF investments in Nepal represent a diverse portfolio focused on strengthening value chains for high-value vegetables, lentils, maize, rice, and goats. Current USAID FTF activities include Knowledge-based Integrated Sustainable Agriculture in Nepal (KISAN II),22 Nepal Seed and Fertilizer (NSAF),23 USAID Agricultural Inputs, USAID Agriculture Higher Education, USAID Trade and Competitiveness, Peace Corps Volunteer Small Project Assistance program, USAID Lentil Strengthening, and the Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia (CSISA) Covid Response and Recovery Activity.24 USAID/Washington also funds multiple agriculture activities that work in Nepal, including but not limited to Farmer-to-Farmer and several FTF Innovation Labs. The Contractor must coordinate closely with all USAID FTF and related activities operating in Nepal.

This includes regional and centrally-managed FTF activities like the FTF Innovation Labs discussed in the SOW, as well as future FTF activities that will be awarded over the life of Feed

24 https://csisa.org/csisa-nepal/

23 https://2017-2020.usaid.gov/nepal/fact-sheets/feed-future-seed-and-fertilizer-project

22 https://www.usaid.gov/nepal/fact-sheets/kisan-project

21 https://www.feedthefuture.gov/resource/global-food-security-strategy-gfss-nepal-country-plan/

20 Agriculture Development Strategy 2015-2035: https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/nep171433.pdf.

19 On November 25, 2021, the 40th plenary meeting of the 76th Session ofUnited Nations General Assembly (UNGA) endorsed the proposal to graduate Nepal to the status of a middle-income developing nation from the category of least developed country (LDC) by 2026 -https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/unga-endorses-proposal-to-graduate-nepal-to-middle-income-developing-country https://csisa.org/csisa-nepal/ https://2017-2020.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1861/Nepal_Seed-and-Fertilizer-Fact-Sheet_FINAL.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/nepal/fact-sheets/kisan-project https://www.feedthefuture.gov/resource/global-food-security-strategy-gfss-nepal-country-plan/ https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/nep171433.pdf https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/unga-endorses-proposal-to-graduate-nepal-to-middle-income-developing-country the Future Nepal USAID Agricultural Transformation.

C.3.5.2 Relationship to Other U.S. Government Activities

USAID/Nepal has various other relevant activities beyond the FTF portfolio. The Contractor must coordinate with these activities to achieve the USAID/Nepal CDCS goal. The Contractor, therefore, must also develop value chain production, marketing, strengthening approaches in close coordination with activities such as the Karnali Water Activity, the upcoming integrated nutrition activity, and USAID’s biodiversity and climate change activities, like USAID Biodiversity.

Feed the Future Nepal USAID Agricultural Transformation aligns with the U.S. Government’s Indo-Pacific Strategy by helping to foster a more prosperous Nepal.

C.3.5.3 Relationship to Other GON Activities

With a total budget of NPR 130 billion (approximately $1.0 billion) for 10 years (2016-2026), the Prime Minister Agricultural Modernization Project (PMAMP) is a flagship project of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MOALD) with the objective of boosting agricultural productivity and improvement of agriculture value chains products through enhanced productivity and commercialization of major cereals, fisheries, fruits and vegetables. The PMAMP has laid out a structure of super zones (commercial areas of more than 1,000 ha), zones (areas over 500 ha), blocks (over 50 ha), and pockets (over 10 ha), which are defined areas across the country that receive government support to produce selected crops intensively.

Among the programs implemented by MOALD, with the support of other donor partners, are the Agricultural Sector Development Program and the Value Chains for Inclusive Transformation of Agriculture Program, both IFAD funded; the World Bank managed Food and Nutritional Security Project; the World Bank funded Rural Enterprise and Economic Development Project;

Support market linkages and supporting entrepreneurship ecosystem; and the Rani Jamara Kulariya Project.

C.3.5.4 Coordination with GON

FTF activities have established an exceptionally good relationship with the GON at all three tiers.

The Contractor must maintain equally respectful and highly functional relationships with public and private sector stakeholders to achieve its goal of transforming agriculture.

In line with close coordination and working relations between past and ongoing FTF activities and officials working under MOALD at the federal and sub-national level, higher authorities in the GON have expressed their desire to continue such a relationship. Further, there is interest shown by high level ministry officials to develop strategic partnerships with USAID’s FTF activities. The Contractor must participate in the three stages of MOALD's program cycle:

developing the annual work plan, reporting on progress every four months, and annual project review.

C.4 GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS, TARGET POPULATION, AND COMMODITY FOCUS

Commodity selection: The Contractor must focus initial efforts on the fine rice,25 industrial maize, lentil, high-value vegetables, and goat value chains, while analyzing and potentially adding commodities based on relevance to priorities of local governments, market opportunities, and potential for growth, competitiveness, and income-generation for smallholder farmers. In addition, when implementing and, if applicable, adding new value chains, the Contractor must consider inclusion of women, youth, and marginalized groups for income generation and job creation. With respect to commodity selection and implementation, the Contractor must also take into consideration the potential for private sector investment in each value chain as well as the suitability for the adoption of climate-smart practices in the production of those commodities. If USAID redefines strategic priority value chains in a new iteration of the GFSS Nepal Country Plan, the Contractor must modify their targeted commodities accordingly.

Geographic focus: The GFSS Nepal Country Plan identifies a Zone of Influence (ZOI) for implementation of all FTF activities. Based on a targeting approach that combines metrics of the opportunity for agriculture led growth, combined with the incidence of poverty, hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity, the Contractor must focus on the below locations for implementation of this Activity:

Province Districts

Sudurpaschim Dadeldhura, Kanchanpur, Kailali

Karnali Surkhet, Salyan

Lumbini Bardiya, Banke, Dang, Arghakhanchi, Kapilbastu, Palpa, Rupandehi, Nawalparasi West

Gandaki Nawalparasi East

Bagmati Chitwan, Makawanpur, Dhading, Kavrepalanchowk

Madhesh Parsa, Bara, Rauthat, Sarlahi, Mahottari, Dhanusha, Siraha, Saptari

The Contractor must prioritize its implementation along commercially-oriented geographic areas, which are located primarily in the Terai region of Nepal. The Contractor may implement activities beyond these commercially-oriented geographic areas to respond to emerging needs, take advantage of windows of opportunity, and to scale successful models and approaches beyond focus areas.

The Contractor must also prioritize municipalities and wards, as applicable, within these districts

25 Cultivation of fine rice varieties leads to greater economic viability to cater to the increasing demand for fine rice. The area under domestic production for fine and aromatic rice varieties comprises only 17% of the total paddy area. This indicates great scope for increasing area coverage of fine rice varieties, to cut down on heavy imports. However, lack of high yielding fine rice varieties, low production of such varieties, and the relatively cheaper price of rice in India have forced domestic rice mills to continue to import Indian rice and paddy.

in consultation with federal, provincial, and local authorities in a manner that leverages FTF previous and current activities, like KISAN II, and considers value chain viability and investment potential, number of potential individuals impacted, alignment of agronomic conditions with targeted value chains, and potential to reach youth, women, and marginalized groups. Due to changing market and climatic conditions, and the need to respond to the food security situation, the Contractor must intensify activities concentrating on a market systems approach to complement USAID’s other activities in the ZOI.

Target population: Considering the diversity of geographies, agricultural production, extent of agribusiness investment and development, farmers, and social and ethnic groups within Nepal, as well as differences in the degree of exposure to previous agricultural interventions and investments across these groupings, the Contractor must ensure diversity and inclusivity during the implementation of this activity. The diversity is defined in terms of the following:

Farmer diversity in GON’s term Social diversity Diversity based on degree of exposure

● Commercial farmers

● Subsistence farmers with profit potential

● Subsistence and landless farmers without profit potential or with little profit potential

● Gender

● Age

● Caste

● Ethnic group

● Religion

● Migrant returnees

● Farmers who need additional capacity strengthening to move onto a sustainable income generation path

● Farmers who are ready to graduate to a higher-return activity or commodity

● Farmers who are ready to play the role of a lead farmer, local service provider, or champion, and “pull” others into markets.

Because Feed the Future Nepal USAID Agricultural Transformation focuses on the identification, targeting, and support of transformative investments in the agricultural sector, it will be critical to assess the level of investment taking place along the value chains of focus in the various geographies and among different types of farmers and their associations/cooperatives.