Terms of Reference (TOR) For the Development of a Manual on Regenerative Agriculture and Delivery of Training of Trainers (ToT)

Terms of Reference (TOR)

For the Development of a Manual on Regenerative Agriculture and Delivery of Training of Trainers (ToT)

Under the CS4FS Project – Implemented by JWAS, Aasaman Nepal, and PAC Nepal

Supported by Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and BMZ

1. Background and Context

The “Civil Society for Nature-Based Local Agri-Food Systems (CS4FS)” project, jointly implemented by JWAS Nepal, Aasaman Nepal, and PAC Nepal, with technical assistance from Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), aims to improve food security, support climate resilience, and promote sustainable agricultural systems in Dhanusha District, Madhesh Province, Nepal.

To achieve this, the project prioritizes regenerative agriculture as a key nature-based solution to reverse soil degradation, increase farm productivity, and build resilience to climate shocks. However, knowledge gaps and a lack of accessible, farmer-friendly learning resources remain a challenge. This assignment focuses on developing a locally tailored regenerative agriculture manual and delivering a comprehensive Training of Trainers (ToT) program to build the capacity of extension agents, model farmers, and civil society facilitators.

2. Objectives

Primary Objective

To design and develop a practical, Nepali-language manual on regenerative agriculture tailored to Nepal’s farming systems and deliver a comprehensive 5-day Training of Trainers (ToT) program aimed at enhancing the capacity of front-line agricultural professionals and lead farmers.

Specific Objectives

• Introduce the fundamental principles and importance of regenerative agriculture in an accessible and localized manner.
• Offer hands-on, step-by-step guidance for implementing regenerative practices across diverse Nepalese farming contexts.
• Present case studies, illustrations, and user-friendly resources to support effective learning and application at the field level.
• Build the capacity of trainers, extension staff, and community-based practitioners in designing, applying, and monitoring regenerative agriculture techniques, with a strong focus on soil health.
• Strengthen the practical knowledge and instructional skills of local agricultural actors to enable widespread community-level adoption of regenerative practices.
• Establish the manual as a central reference tool for regenerative agriculture within the CS4FS project framework and beyond.

3. Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for developing a practical, farmer-centric manual and delivering an interactive Training of Trainers (ToT). The manual will cover the following core components:

a. Foundational Concepts of Regenerative Agriculture

• Contextual overview and relevance of regenerative agriculture within Nepal’s agro-ecosystems.
• Core principles such as soil regeneration, biodiversity enhancement, and closed-loop farming systems.
• Linkages with national and global priorities, including climate resilience, sustainable food systems, and food sovereignty.

b. Practical Approaches and Techniques

• Soil fertility management using composting and organic amendments.
• Climate-smart tillage, crop rotation, and cover cropping techniques.
• Integrated pest and nutrient management.
• Agroforestry systems including fruit trees, kitchen gardens, and fodder plantations.
• Water-saving techniques such as micro-irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and mulching.
• Livestock-crop integration to enhance overall farm productivity and long-term sustainability.

c. Socioeconomic and Community Impacts

• Economic rationale: Regenerative practices reduce input costs by minimizing reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, enhance profitability through improved soil productivity, and contribute to long-term economic sustainability. The approach also encourages value addition through post-harvest practices such as sorting, drying, storage, and packaging, thereby minimizing losses and increasing product marketability. Strengthening farmer linkages with local and niche markets (e.g., organic or climate-resilient produce) enhances income stability and access to fair pricing.
• Farm-level resilience and yield potential: Regenerative methods improve soil health, water retention, and agro-biodiversity, resulting in stable or increased yields even under unpredictable climatic conditions.
• Community-wide benefits: These practices foster improved nutrition and food security, support the development of agro-enterprises, and enhance rural livelihoods. Community learning and innovation are promoted through shared experiences and participatory approaches.
• Adaptation to climate variability and risk reduction: Regenerative agriculture strengthens both ecological and economic resilience, helping smallholder farmers better cope with extreme weather events, pests, and market fluctuations.

d. Monitoring and Evaluation Framework

• Tools and techniques to monitor soil quality, biodiversity gains, and crop performance.
• Indicators to evaluate implementation success and scaling potential.
• Case studies of successful applications in the Terai or similar agroecological contexts.

e. Learning Aids and Practice-Based Tools

• Step-by-step field application guidelines.
• Illustrations, visuals, and diagrams for low-literacy audiences.
• Practical templates, field logs, and checklists to track practices and progress.

f. Challenges and Practical Solutions

• Key barriers such as limited awareness, access to inputs, and behavioral resistance.
• Practical, low-cost solutions and innovations to address these challenges.
• Linkages to support services, learning hubs, and community-based extension.

g. Glossary and Resources

• Definitions of critical concepts in regenerative farming.
• Further reading list, web resources, and citations for deeper exploration.

4. Target Audience

• Smallholder Farmers: Particularly those practicing rainfed or low-input farming.
• Extension Workers and Field Facilitators: Individuals responsible for on-ground capacity building.
• CBOs and NGOs: Organizations promoting agroecological and rights-based approaches.
• Government Officials and Policy Stakeholders: Local bodies working on agriculture, climate change, and rural development.

5. Methodology

The consultant is expected to follow a participatory and inclusive process consisting of the following steps:

5.1. Desk Review and Literature Study

• Review of global and national materials, including WHH's Food Systems Framework, Nepal’s Agricultural Development Strategy (ADS), and the NDCs.
• Study of regenerative practices applicable to the Madhesh/Terai landscape.

5.2. Stakeholder Consultation

• Engagement with implementing partners (JWAS, Aasaman, PAC) and technical experts.
• Key informant interviews and discussions with farmers, CBOs, extension staff, and local government representatives.

5.3. Content Development

• Drafting of the manual in Nepali using simple, practical language.
• Integration of visual content and real-world examples.
• Alignment with WHH project framework and national policy environment.

5.4. Training of Trainers (ToT)

• Design and delivery of a 5-day training program for 50 model farmers and frontline extension staff, in two batches of 25 participants each.
• Pre- and post-training assessments to gauge knowledge improvement.
• Use of participatory learning: field demonstrations, FFS models, and case-based exercises.

5.5. Review, Feedback, and Finalization

• Collect feedback from WHH, implementing partners, and pilot users.
• Revise and finalize the manual and training package based on input.
• Prepare formatted outputs for both print and digital sharing.

6. Timeline

Total Duration: 25 working days (within 2 months from contract date)

7. Deliverables

• Inception Report: Workplan, structure, and methodological notes
• Regenerative Agriculture Manual: Comprehensive, illustrated manual in Nepali (print and digital formats)
• Training Resource Package: PowerPoint slides, handouts, checklists, and assessment tools
• Training Delivery: 5-day ToT for 50 participants, delivered in two batches
• Final Completion Report: Documentation of activities, feedback, learnings, and final outputs

8. Qualifications of the Consultant/Firm

• Advanced degree in Agriculture, Environmental Science, or a related field
• Minimum 7–8 years of experience in regenerative or sustainable agriculture
• Proven experience in developing training manuals and conducting ToTs
• Familiarity with agroecological and farming systems in Madhesh Province
• Fluency in Nepali; Maithili language skills preferred

9. Coordination and Support

• JWAS Nepal will coordinate with the consultant and oversee training logistics
• Aasaman Nepal and PAC Nepal will provide technical inputs and community mobilization
• WHH will provide technical oversight and content review

10. Financial Arrangement

Payment will be released in agreed-upon milestones upon submission and approval of deliverables. The detailed payment schedule will be specified in the contract.

11. Application Process

Interested individuals or firms should submit the following documents to vacancyjwas@gmail.com with the subject line:

"Application for Regenerative Agriculture Manual and ToT – CS4FS Project"

Deadline: 17 April 2025, 5:00 PM

• Application Should Include:
• Cover Letter
• Technical Proposal (including methodology and timeline)
• Financial Proposal
• CVs of involved personnel
• Examples of similar assignments
• Company registration documents, PAN/VAT certificate, and latest tax clearance

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. The consortium reserves all rights to accept or reject any application without justification.

12. Evaluation Criteria

13. Confidentiality and Data Protection

All data, documents, and materials shared with or produced by the consultant during the assignment shall remain the property of Aasaman Nepal and its consortium partners. The consultant must ensure confidentiality and responsible handling of all sensitive project information throughout the contract duration and beyond.