Potato is a priority sector in Cameroon, both for production and for consumption. For this reason, the Government developed in 2014, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MINADER), a National Strategy for the development of this crop for the period from 2015 to 2020. Even though the validation process was unsuccessful, this strategy has enabled both public and private stakeholders to better orient their investments.

Currently, MINADER has undertaken the updating of this strategy, the implementation of which is spread over a period of nine (09) years, i.e., "2022 - 2030". To this end, MINADER benefits from the technical and financial support of GIZ through the Project Green Innovation Centers for the Agri-Food Sector (ProCISA), in partnership with the International Potato Center (CIP).

The first concertation meeting of the Working Group appointed by H.E. the minister in charge of agriculture was held on Tuesday, 18 May 2021. The objective of the meeting was to develop an action plan that would permit the update of the national potato strategy.

On 25-26 October 2021, the Working Group, extended to other important actors in the potato sector, held a second meeting to critically analyze the first strategy document and draft the terms of reference for updating the national potato strategy as per the recommendations from the first concertation meeting.

Therefore, these terms of reference constitute a concretization of the conclusions of the two meetings, which recommend the recruitment of a consulting firm in charge of elaborating a new national potato strategy in close consultation with the competent Cameroonian institutions through a participatory process.

Objectives:

The overall objective of this consultation is to propose the various elements of a national strategy for the potato sector and to prepare the final version by closely involving the stakeholders of the sector.

· Carry out an analysis of the socio-economic importance of the potato sector in the national economy of Cameroon and its evolution since 2014.

· Carry out an in-depth diagnosis of each segment of the potato sector through a documentary review, institutional surveys, and multifaceted consultations, including workshops with the main actors of the potato sector and related organizations. identify the strengths and weaknesses of the potato sector through the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis.

· Organizes workshops to update the national potato strategy.

· Propose an implementation plan for the nine years of the national potato strategy.

· Evaluate the overall cost as well as the support needs that the Government and development partners can provide to support actors in the potato sector.

· Organize a workshop for the validation of the new national potato strategy and integrate contributions from stakeholders.

Deliverables:

1. Tools for data collection and analysis are provided.

2. The indicative template for drafting the strategy is updated.

3. Data throughout the national territory is collected in person or through intermediaries.

4. Data collected according to the agreed methodology are processed and analyzed.

5. Reports according to the templates agreed upon are prepared.

6. The national potato strategy following these terms of reference is drafted.

7. A validation workshop for the new national potato strategy is facilitated. and

8. The draft report is presented to the minister.

9. The stakeholder contributions are integrated, and the strategy document is finalized.

Expected duration and conditions:

· This consultancy contract is for up to 40 days.

· The payment is a fixed and consolidated fee.

Qualifications/special skills for the Principal Consultant

· At least a MSc degree in Agro-economy, agronomy, or similar field.

· A proven knowledge in at least three of the areas below:

o Economy and analysis of agricultural sectors.

o Production itineraries for ware potato and seed potato.

o Capacity building of small farmers.

o Promotion of small and medium-sized agri-food enterprises.

o Market study and marketing of potato byproducts and products.

o Equipment, transformation, and promotion of agri-food products.

o Economic and financial analysis of developmental projects and programs.

o Institutional development or Quality control, certification, and labeling.

· 10 years in the agricultural sector in at least three countries.

· At least one national agricultural strategy developed under his/her coordination.

· Excellent organization and facilitation skills.

· Excellent writing and communication skills in English or French.

· Ability to work in a multidisciplinary global environment. and

· Preferably the candidate should be bilingual (French – English).

The consultants should reside in Cameroon during the consultancy and workshops. Their stay in Cameroon will be facilitated by CIP. In case the principal consultant has no experience in Cameroon, he/she must have local expertise in his/her team.