Market Assessment And Value Chain Analysis. Food Systems for Food Security (Yoti Yoti) Project Sierra Leone At Concern Worldwide

Background:

Food and Nutrition Security through Equitable and Climate Smart Food Systems (Yoti Yoti) is a 5 year project funded by Irish Aid under the Ireland’s Civil Society Partnership for A Better World” (ICSP) 2023-27. Responding to increasing food and nutrition insecurity, the overall goal of the project is to increase vulnerable households’ resilience to food and nutrition insecurity by strengthening food systems in Tonkolili and Port Loko Districts in Sierra Leone. To achieve this, the project adopts an integrated Food System for Food security approach which brings together the four food security pillars: availability, access, utilization and stability, using a systems approach. Expected outcomes:

• Increased inclusive climate smart food production (availability)
• Stronger access to markets for those living in conditions of extreme poverty (access)
• Stable consumption of an adequate and affordable diet by all (utilization)
• Evidence generated is used to influence at district and national level (stability)

Each of these pillars do not stand alone; they interact with each other at micro, meso and macro levels, with gender equity and inclusion underpinning all pillars.

The project is working in partnership with Community Integrated Development Association (CIDA) and Miro Forestry. As well as in collaboration with district and national stakeholders: District Council, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Ministry of Youth, Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs.

Objective of the assessment:

The aim of the market assessment is to in the two project Districts: (i) identify market dynamics and opportunities (ii) assess and map the supply and demand of services in targeted areas and (iii) research high priority value chains relevant for people living in conditions of extreme poverty. Value chains of high priority crops based on economic value and potential for growth, relevance to small holder farmers, potential participation/opportunities for women and youth, and high nutritional value) will be targeted.

The study will also seek to understand the challenges and opportunities e.g. in regard to maximising income in the identified value chains with a special focus on the roles of women and youth in those. The market assessment will support the Yoti Yoti project overall aim of contributing towards increased vulnerable households’ resilience to food and nutrition insecurity by strengthening food systems in Tonkolili and Port Loko Districts, Northern province, Sierra Leone.

The main task of the consultant is to scope the market for existing under-developed and new sectors for value addition and to deliver an analysis of 6 potential value chains which offer the best opportunities.

Expected Outputs:

1. Literature review of relevant documents, including reports, research papers, case studies, etc. relevant to this study.
2. A full markets scoping report containing:
3. An overview of the market situation in the 2 districts and the initial opportunities
4. A list of those value chains not short-listed with a summary why they were deprioritised.

A detailed analysis of the 6 prioritised value chains