Potato Value and Supply Chain Study Opportunities at IESC Tanzania

Position Description
Potato Value and Supply Chain Study

Potato Value and Supply Chain Study Opportunities at IESC August 2024

Location Tanzania

Department Programs
Employment Type Volunteer

USAID-Funded
Farmer-to-Farmer Access to Finance Program
Scope of Work
Potato Value and Supply Chain Study

Improving
Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC) serves as the lead
implementer for the Farmer-to-Farmer Access to Finance Program (F2F A2F)
to address deficits in the financial ecosystem hindering investment and
growth in agriculture for individual farmers, as well as micro, small,
and medium-sized enterprises through the delivery of volunteer technical
assistance. IESC has designed a thematic F2F program to generate
sustainable, broad-based economic growth and create jobs in the
agricultural sector with a special focus on assistance to women and
youth. Focusing on Kenya, Tanzania, and
Liberia, the F2F A2F Program will work with local partner organizations
and volunteer hosts to field pro bono experts from the U.S. agriculture,
corporate, and banking sectors to address systemic capacity constraints
for farmers and lenders in each targeted country and unlock finance for
improved agricultural production leading to utilization of agricultural
technologies and increased sales and incomes.

Problem Statement:
There
is a wide range of potato production systems in developing countries
that depend on local growing and marketing conditions. In high altitude
regions where potatoes are relatively cheap to produce, a large portion
of the crop is stored and used for home consumption. In regions where
potatoes are relatively expensive such as in Central America and
Southeast Asia, farmers sell a larger proportions of their potatoes to
purchase cheaper foods. Moreover, the earnings from potato sales are
used to improve other staple food crops productivity. In comparison with
other food crops, dry matter, energy and protein production of potato
per hectare and per day are high.

In Tanzania, potatoes are
increasingly becoming an important cash and food crop, especially in the
Southern and Northern highlands of Tanzania. Previously, the crop was
grown by highland farmers for their own consumption, but recently it has
become popular among people in rural and urban centers. Potato demand
is increasing fast in rural and urban areas due to the growing fast
foods industry in many urban centers. Thus, Tanzanian urban population
growth is the main driving force for demand for potato. Potatoes are
mainly grown in Southern and Northern Zones of Tanzania where altitudes
range from 1500 to 3000 meters above sea level. The Southern highland
zones of Tanzania, particularly Mbeya, Songwe, Iringa and Njombe
Regions, are the biggest producers of potato in Tanzania.

Currently,
potato production levels in southern highland area (Njombe, Iringa,
Mbeya and Songwe) sit at a third of their potential This is primarily
due to the low availability and use of quality seed, and limited
knowledge of good agricultural practices. These – combined with poor
marketing structures, unspecified weights and measures, limited value
addition and lack of crop promotion – restrict potato profitability
among smallholder farmers.

To overcome these challenges, the
Farmer-to-Farmer Access to Finance Program has partnered with an
organization at the center of the potato supply chain. They work with
smallholder farmers to provide technical support, off take produce, and
aggregate, sort, grade and sell produce to town based small scale
traders. The organization is planning to conduct potato value/supply
chain study to confirm limiting factors and better position themselves
to support both downstream and upstream SMEs for inclusive improvement
of the value chain.

F2F A2F is therefore recruiting a U.S.
citizen or permanent resident volunteer expert who is knowledgeable in
value and supply chain analysis. The host needs support to conduct a
potato value chain study, train its staff on the value chain findings,
and provide recommendations on an intervention strategy.

Objectives: 
To conduct potato value chain study in southern highland of Tanzania
To advise the host on the best intervention strategies

Deliverables:
1. Potato value chain study report (potato value chain analysis)
2. Final trip report with at least four measurable/achievable recommendations
3. Power Point Presentation

Anticipated In-Country Schedule: