Call for Interest (CFI), Consultancy for Pistachio Feasibility Production & Market in Iraq At International Committee of the Red Cross

INTRODUCTION

The International Committee of the Red Cross is an independent, neutral organization ensuring humanitarian protection and assistance for victims of war and other situations of violence.

Within the framework of its assistance program in Jordan, the ICRC is hereby publishing a Call for Interest for providing Consultancy for Pistachio Feasibility Production & Market in Iraq and requesting your Expression of Interest as per the following Scope of Work, Terms and Conditions:

PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT

To have the opinion of a specialist in the field, particularly regarding pistachio production and commercialization.

BACKGROUND

Please refer to the Annex 1_Pistachio_technical_sheet below

SCOPE-OF-SERVICES

Please refer to the Annex 1_Pistachio_technical_sheet below

EXPECTED TASKS OF THE CONSULTANT

DELIVERABLES:

• Assess the feasibility of producing pistachios in the southern part of the country, very affected by the Climate Changes, and where most of the water available is salty, as pistachio is tolerant to salty water. In selected places of some governorates (Nasiriyah, Babil…): soil assessment, water quality (salinity) quantity, climate compatibility with pistachio crop, appropriate rootstock and cultivar selection.
• In different places of Iraq where pistachio is already growing assess potential places for pistachio production, mainly near Sulaymaniyah, Dohuk, Mosul (Bgd pending) Soil assessment, pistachio rootstock and cultivar selection, rainfed or irrigated cultures, availability of plant seedlings at nursery level or possibilities of starting up one.
• The expert will assess the existing know-how and cultural practices related to pistachio crops present in the region at farmer and agriculture technicians’ level. The success of this crop, in order to obtain commercial harvests, directly depends on this. Thus, the need of pistachio related trainings will be assessed. Assess the typical size and capital of producers and the main market actors.
• Assess the presence of post-harvest technology in order to stabilize the harvest and produce added value for the market. Can farmers hull, dry and grade their pistachio? Are there any companies available on site to do it? From where do they take the technology? Iran; Turkey? Indicate if products are differentiated for different markets at this stage. Share lists of contacts and stakeholders encountered during the assessment.

Meet the MoA in Baghdad and in the selected southern Governorates, to interact with them about the assessment and pistachio production / processing and marketing in Irak.

PROFILE

Please refer to the attached ToR (EPU PO Course evaluation Consulting).

DURATION OF THE SERVICES

4 to 5 weeks. it will depend on how many pistachio assessment sites the consultant will visit in total

ANNEXES:

The following Annexes are the integral part of the this Call for Interest (CFI), details can be seen below:

• Pistachio_technical_sheet- Annex #01
• ICRC General Conditions for Consulting Contract – Annex #02

EXPECTED APPLICATION

Your Application should include the following:

1. Expression of Interest (cover letter / motivation letter highlighting relevant experience and explaining capacity to fulfil the Scope of Services shown on Section 2.2 and supply Deliverables shown on Section 3.3.)
2. Consultancy Curriculum Vitae (CV) with relevant experience
3. Company Profile (if applicable)
4. Up to date Tax Document
5. Signed and stamped ICRC General Conditions for Consulting Contract – Annex #02
6. Please DO NOT provide any prices or financial offers, an official Request for Tender will be sent to the selected consultants.

Pistachio_technical_sheet- Annex #01

Pistachio Technical Specification sheet

Origin: The pistachio tree, Pistacia vera L., a native to western Asia and Asia Minor, has a long juvenile periods, producing crop (40 to 60%) at 5 – 6 years (good production as of 7 years old) and achieving full bearing at 10 – 12 years of age. Can grow 100 years or more.

Growth and climate: The pistachio can grow in dry, arid climates between -15 and more than 45°. It requires a cold winter and a hot summer.

Type of tree: Dioecious both male and female trees can grow but only female trees can produce fruits. Pistachio trees are ‘alternate bearing’ meaning that an entire tree alternates between a high production year followed by a year of low production. Both male and female pistachio trees are required for pistachio production and usually one male tree is planted for every 8 to 24 female trees. Young pistachio trees take five to six years to produce nuts. Number of trees per hectare: 204 up to 416, depending on inputs such as irrigation water availability, soil depth, fertilization plan and harvesting system.

Pistachio trees start as grafted transplants. The grafts are started on a root stock system that is best suited for the orchard site. Root stocks are selected based on which is harder and more resistant to pest infestations. Trees can be grafted at nursery or orchard level.

Pistachio orchards can last for 70 to 100 years as long as the trees are cared for properly. Most trees will reach maximum production levels around 10-15 years and will continue to produce at this high rate for many seasons.

Pistachio trees can be successfully wind pollinated, unlike other fruit and nut trees that require honey bee pollination.

Yield of Pistachio tree and per hectare: At 5 years old a tree can produce several kilos (dry yield) per tree (1 to 3 kgs) for an expected yield of 600 kgs – 1 ton / hectare. Adult tree yield can reach up to 2,5 tons / hectare, under irrigation conditions.

Type of soil required: pistachios grow in deep uniform loam soils consisting of clay, sand, humus, or other organic material. This type of soil is sufficiently permeable while being able to adequately hold moisture. When preparing to plant a new orchard, it is common practice to use a chisel attachment to dig deep down and break up any hardpan below the soil surface to help newly planted trees establish a deep root system. Specialized equipment is used to form raised beds or individual mounds on which trees will be planted.

Fertilization: growers gauge the need for various fertilizers through soil and leaf analysis throughout the year. Fertilizers are typically applied to the root zone when the tree is able to use it efficiently. Fertilization of trees may be done in the winter while the trees lay dormant or in the late spring after the foliage of the trees has developed and the fruit is beginning to grow. Common elements needed include nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These are applied in varying proportions depending on element availability in the soil.

Price per kg / ton: farmer price: 3-4 €/dry kg depending on open-shell and size percentage. Market price (bulk): 6 – 7 €/dry kg. Most valued pistachios are open shell and big size. Cost of processing: 2-3 €/dry kg. Dry yield is around 33% of wet weight (inhull). All prices are inshell and dry weight basis.

Water requirement: pistachio trees requires water the two or three first years (dripping). It can be rainfed afterwards. However, its production yield is much higher if well irrigated. Average rainfed production yield can reach up to 600 kg/ha in regions with 250 – 450 mm rainfall. Average yield under irrigated conditions (150 to 300 mm irrigation input) can reach up to 1500-2000 kg/ha. All yields are dry inshell basis.

Much of the irrigation water is administered by drip irrigation. Most newer pistachio orchards use microirrigation systems, which allow growers to more precisely control the quantity and timing of orchard irrigations. The frequency of water application during the growing season depends on the age of the orchard, the levels of precipitation in the region, and other weather conditions. Pistachio shell splitting is particularly sensitive to irrigation deficits.

Resistance to salty water: pistachio trees are salt tolerant, up to conductivity levels of 4,5 – 6 dS/m for young orchards, and 8 dS/m for stablished orchards. However, 150 – 200 mm of fresh water winter irrigation/rainfall might be needed or efficient leaching.

Pistachio in Irak: One of the cradles of Pistachio; most of the cultures are located in Anbar (north west of Baghdad) The production and market of pistachios in Iraq, suffers from imports from Iran, one of the main world producers. Some producers will even look for seeds / shrubs in Iran to plant them in Iraq. Producers have been identified in KRG, near Dohuk and Sulaymaniyah as well as in Ninewah; waiting for the results of the investigation in Bgd

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Managing pistachio tree health under salinity conditions (Mae Culumber Ph. D. – UC Cooperative Extension Advisor Fresno County) https://ucanr.edu/sites/PistachioShortCourse/files/274448.pdf

Pistachio Production Manual. Louise Fergousson. University of California. Agriculture and Natural Ressources. Publication 3545.

pistachio (vniran.com)

ISIS disrupts pistachio farms in Al-Anbar: A single tree revenues equivalent to three barrels of oil (shafaq.com)

Iraq: Pistachios Market (wm-strategy.com)

The World’s Largest Pistachio – The Botanical Journey

CRC General Conditions for Consulting Contract – Annex #02

INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR CONSULTING CONTRACTS

Table of contents

1. Introduction

2. Purpose of the contract

3. Liability for faithful performance

4. Pledge of discretion / ICRC name and logo

5. Security warning and limitation of liability

6. Respect for humanitarian values

7. Insurance

8. Force majeure

9. Working conditions and child labour

10. Compliance with the law

11. Mines and other weapons

12. Enforceability / Validity

13. Immunity

1. INTRODUCTION

These General Conditions for Consulting Contracts are an integral part of the consulting contract entered into between the ICRC and the Consultant.

2. PURPOSE OF THE CONTRACT

The consultancy is a contract whereby the Consultant agrees to carry out work requested by the ICRC or provide services it has promised to the ICRC.

3. LIABILITY FOR FAITHFUL PERFORMANCE

The Consultant shall be held liable if, in carrying out the work, it does not apply the diligence and knowledge that can be objectively expected from a professional with that area of specialization.

4. PLEDGE OF DISCRETION / ICRC NAME AND LOGO

The ICRC’s mission is to provide protection and assistance for victims of war, civil war or internal disturbances and for other victims on whose behalf the ICRC is called upon to take action. To achieve this objective as effectively as possible, the ICRC must maintain the confidence of governments and victims at all times.

This confidence is based in large part on the neutrality of the ICRC, on the discretion with which it conducts its work and, in particular, on its commitment that its representatives will not disclose what they observe or see while working for the ICRC.

The Consultant therefore agrees to observe the utmost discretion concerning confidential ICRC matters that it shall be involved in or become aware of and to consider itself bound by professional secrecy in this regard.

This obligation shall remain in effect even after the contract has ended.

The Consultant is not permitted to use the ICRC’s name and/or logo unless expressly authorized in writing in advance.

5. SECURITY WARNING AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

(Applicable for field assignments)

The nature of the ICRC’s work in conflict zones is inherently dangerous in view of the armed conflict itself and the risks of crime, kidnapping, serious disease and accidents. Potentially fatal physical and mental wounds are among the inevitable residual risks that the Consultant accepts. In the event of kidnapping, it is ICRC policy not to pay any ransom, and no insurance has been concluded for that purpose.

The Consultant must be thoroughly familiar with all specific security guidelines and comply with them at all times.

Each person is responsible for security at that person’s level. This means that each person assumes individual responsibility, in accordance with that person’s role in the field, when seeking out, transmitting and analysing information, when contacting parties and when evaluating risks.

If any insurance policy has been concluded for the consultant, the coverage is strictly limited to what is listed in the annex to the insurance contract.

In the event of a critical incident, the ICRC reserves the right to communicate exclusively with the individuals listed as contact people.

By signing these General Conditions, the Consultant confirms that it has been informed of the risks involved in its work for the ICRC, and that it understands and expressly accepts them. The consultant releases the ICRC of all liability in the event of damage resulting from the risks described in this clause.

6. RESPECT FOR HUMANITARIAN VALUES

For the duration of the contract, the Consultant’s acts may, depending on the circumstances, be associated with or considered to be those of the ICRC. Its acts and/or behaviour may have an impact on the image, reputation and/or acceptance of the ICRC.

The consultant therefore agrees to comply with the spirit of the applicable ICRC rules of conduct and to adopt an attitude compatible with the purely humanitarian nature of the organization’s work, in accordance with the “Code of Conduct for Employees of the International Committee of the Red Cross”.

Furthermore, for the duration of the contract, the Consultant is not permitted to occupy any position or engage in any activity, paid or not, that could undermine the humanitarian values and neutrality of the ICRC.

This does not mean, however, that the Consultant, who remains self-employed, has established an employment relationship (as defined under Swiss labour law) with the ICRC.

The ICRC may cancel the contract for good cause if the Consultant does not comply with these principles and/or if the ICRC’s relationship with the Consultant is detrimental to the ICRC.

7. INSURANCE

Nothing in the Parties’ relationship shall be construed as an employment relationship. The Consultant therefore bears sole responsibility for its insurance (e.g. old-age, disability, unemployment, accident, sickness, loss of income, and liability insurance), for which it shall take out the necessary coverage for itself and its employees. The Consultant must provide a copy of its insurance policies to the ICRC upon request.

8. FORCE MAJEURE

Neither of the Parties shall be held liable for a delay or any other failure to perform brought about by an unforeseeable natural disaster, civilian unrest, a strike or government-imposed restrictions or constraints that are beyond the control of the Party invoking it, provided that said Party:

• informs the other Party immediately of the existence of the cause and potential delay; and
• does all it can to discharge its obligations in spite of that cause.

If the cause persists for seven days, either Party may cancel the contract by informing the other Party in writing.

9. WORKING CONDITIONS AND CHILD LABOUR

9.1By virtue of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the ILO’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, the Consultant must comply with:

• the prohibition on the use of child labour,
• the prohibition on the use of forced labour,
• national laws regarding hygiene, safety and labour rights.

9.2 These principles shall be applied in accordance with the laws of the country in which the work is carried out.

9.3 If the Consultant and/or its subcontractors or suppliers fail to obey these laws, the ICRC may make recommendations. If these recommendations are not heeded, the ICRC shall be entitled to suspend or cancel the contract for good cause.

10. COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW

The Consultant agrees to comply with the law. Should it fail to do so, the ICRC shall be entitled to cancel the contract for good cause taking into account the seriousness of the breaches and the impact the ICRC judges those breaches to have had on the ICRC’s operations.

11. MINES AND OTHER WEAPONS

The Consultant hereby certifies that it is not involved in any manner whatsoever in the transport, sale and/or production of mines or any other weapons. If the Consultant’s certification proves to be false, the ICRC is entitled to terminate the contract for good cause.

12. ENFORCEABILITY / VALIDITY

Any provision of the contract that is prohibited, illegal or unenforceable under applicable law shall be nullified to the extent required by such law yet shall not affect the other provisions of the contract. To the extent the legal restriction nullifying such a provision can be waived, the Parties expressly agree to do so in order to make these General Conditions and the contract between the Parties as broadly applicable as possible.

13. IMMUNITY

Nothing in these General Conditions and/or in the consulting contract shall be directly or indirectly interpreted as a partial or total waiver by the ICRC of its privileges and immunities as recognized by national or international law.

The Consultant:

______________________ Place and date: __________________

For the International Committee of the Red Cross: ______________________ _____________________

Place and date:_________________ Place and date: ________________

(Comment: The General Conditions must be signed by the ICRC staff member responsible for the budget and by the Consultant as shown in the Swiss commercial register or another register if the Consultant is based in another country)