International Dairy Extension Expert At International Executive Service Corps

ASSESSMENT OF EXTENSION SERVICES PROVIDED FOR DAIRY FARMERS

SCOPE OF WORK

Title: Internationaldairy extension services expert

Location of Assignment: Sri Lanka, Regional

Proposed Level of Effort: 35 days (2-3 prep days in home country, the remainder in Sri Lanka)

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this activity is to conduct an assessment of extension services provided for dairy farmers in both the public and private sectors, identify gaps if any, and provide a strategy to improve the delivery of dairy extension services.

BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

IESC is a leading U.S. nonprofit organization that fosters private sector development in the economically developing world. Since 1964, we have delivered lasting solutions that have resulted in more than 1.5 million jobs in 137 countries. We partner with businesses, cooperatives, entrepreneurs, jobseekers, and governments to sustainably build capacity, create jobs, and grow enterprises, sharing proven skills and experience that improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities around the world. Our major funders today are the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), among others.

Sri Lanka’s dairy sector is currently not reaching its productivity and economic potential. This is primarily due to farmers not implementing best practices in dairy management resulting in low productivity and poor animal health, the lack of sufficient quality feed available subject to seasonal variation, inefficient management and utilization of available resources for livestock production, and limited extension services which lead to poor linkages between technology sources, such as research centers, and end users.

As a result, given MOD’s focus on strengthening extension services in both the public and private sectors, an assessment of the extension services provided is required. The assessment will review extension methodology, the adoption of promoted practices, and the results achieved from the particular extension service provided. The findings will be used to develop a strategy to strengthen the extension services provided to dairy farmers, thus promoting results-based extension methodologies. This will also provide an opportunity to harmonize the extension messaging to farmers, avoiding miscommunications, if any, at the farmer level.

APPROACH:

MOD will obtain the services of an international and two local consultants with experience in the provision of results-oriented extension services and a veterinary expert familiar with best practices in dairy management and animal health. The international consultant will lead the team of experts. The consultants will meet with relevant MOD staff to obtain an understanding of progress made in the provision of extension services through its own mentoring and monitoring process. In addition, the consultants will meet with the leadership of Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH) both at the central and provincial levels to obtain an understanding of present extension services. The consultants will also meet with private sector companies to obtain a first-hand understanding of extension services provided through their field officers. They will conduct a field visit to meet selected farmers to understand extension services received and their effectiveness. Findings will be shared with dairy sector stakeholders for validation and to solicit ideas on further improving the range of extension services available to dairy farmers in Sri Lanka.

Based on findings, global best practices, and input from stakeholders, the consultants will develop a strategy to strengthen extension services. They will share the proposed strategy with key stakeholders to obtain buy-in, adoption and implementation.

TASKS:

• Meet with the two local consultants and develop a plan of action for the assignment
• Meet with MOD and DAPH leadership to discuss the assignment and present extension services provided, its objectives and monitoring process
• Meet with leadership of several provincial DAPHs to obtain an understanding of current extension services provided
• Meet with the Ministry of Livestock Development
• Meet with relevant university faculty members to obtain an understanding of services they provide
• Meet with dairy processing companies to discuss and understand their methods of providing extension services to their farmer cohorts
• Conduct field visits to acquire a good understanding of farmer expectations from extension services and validate the extension process in place
• Validate findings with stakeholders and propose a way forward to strengthen the extension services
• Finalize strategy on strengthening extension services
• Present final strategy to key stakeholders and obtain buy-in

DELIVERABLES:

• Presentation on the assessment findings
• Presentation of the strategy to strengthen dairy extension services
• Assessment report on dairy extension services complemented by a clear practical strategy to strengthen extension services
• List of persons met
• Seminar for GoSL industry leadership to promote strategy

ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS:

The MOD Project Office will provide hotel accommodation for the consultant’s travel, and approved project travel related costs will be covered by MOD including per diem, airfare, and lodging per US government regulations and standards. Consultants are required to have their own computers and all written products need to be in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Power Point.

LEVEL OF EFFORT:

The level of effort for the assignment:

International Extension Expert – 35 days

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP/OTHER CONDITIONS:

The consultant will work closely with the leadership of DAPH, the Ministry of Livestock Development, Provincial DAPH offices, and MOD’s Productivity Director. They will report to MOD’s Project Director.

QUALIFICATIONS:

International Extension Expert Qualifications:

• Must have a degree in agriculture, animal science or a related field with at least five-years of experience in developing and implementing extension services
• Experience in evaluating extension service programs will be an added advantage
• Prior experience working in dairy development will be an advantage
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and the development of national strategies
• Must be capable of good communication and interpersonal skills, and have strong report writing skills in English
• Must have developing country experience, ideally in the context of working in extension related projects