Tenders Are Invited For Scoping Study Of The Organic Fertiliser Sector

Tenders are invited for Scoping Study of the Organic Fertiliser Sector. Location: kigali Deadline: Wednesday, 29/07/2026 23:59 1. Background and Context Practical Action exists to change the systems that keep people in poverty and vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, nature loss and pollution. We work alongside communities to build resilient livelihoods and thriving, inclusive societies. Through our Food Systems Flagship, Practical Action seeks to support inclusive, climate-resilient, and sustainable food systems that improve the wellbeing of smallholder farmers while protecting natural resources. Restoring soil health will be fundamental to achieving these outcomes, particularly in countries where agricultural productivity is increasingly constrained by land degradation, climate variability, and rising input costs. In both Zimbabwe and Rwanda, concerns about declining soil fertility and the affordability of agricultural inputs have intensified interest in alternative soil fertility management options. Many farming households continue to rely on depleted soils while facing significant barriers to accessing sufficient quantities of synthetic fertilisers. At the same time, substantial volumes of organic materials, including crop residues, livestock manure, agro-processing by-products, market waste, and municipal organic waste, are generated every year but are often poorly managed or discarded. These resources present an opportunity to improve soil fertility, reduce waste, create green enterprises, and support more circular and regenerative agricultural systems. Organic fertilisers, whether produced at household/farm level or through commercial enterprises, have the potential to contribute to improved soil health, increased farm productivity, enhanced climate resilience, and reduced dependence on imported agricultural inputs. Despite growing attention from governments, investors, development agencies, and the private sector, the organic fertiliser sector in Zimbabwe and Rwanda remains relatively underdeveloped and insufficiently understood. Critical information gaps exist regarding farmer adoption and perceptions, commercial production capacity, business models, market demand, distribution systems, waste-to-fertiliser value chains, and the policy and regulatory environment. Without a robust understanding of these dynamics, opportunities for investment, programme development, and sector growth may remain unrealised. Practical Action therefore seeks to commission a comprehensive scoping study to generate the evidence required to identify viable programme entry points, inform future investments, strengthen policy engagement, and support the development of a strategic portfolio of interventions aimed at advancing sustainable organic fertiliser markets and resilient food systems in both countries. 2. Purpose of the Assignment The purpose of this consultancy is to undertake a comprehensive scoping study of the organic fertiliser sector in Zimbabwe and Rwanda and identify strategic opportunities for Practical Action to support the growth of the sector and improve smallholder farmers access to and use of organic fertilisers. 3. Objectives 3.1 Overall Objective To assess the current status, opportunities, constraints, and enabling environment of the organic fertiliser sector in Zimbabwe and Rwanda. 3.2 Specific Objectives The consultant(s) will be required to: Assess current farmer use of organic fertilisers, including both home-produced and commercially produced products. Understand farmer knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and preferences regarding organic fertilisers and composting practices. Map the commercial organic fertiliser market ecosystem, including producers, distributors, retailers, business models, and supply chains and identify constraints and blockages holding up growth, especially in reaching small-scale farmers As part of this, analyse the role of agro-dealers and input delivery systems in the promotion or limitation of organic fertiliser uptake. Assess linkages between waste management systems and organic fertiliser production, including opportunities and constraints for circular economy models. Review national policies, regulations, standards, certification systems, and incentives affecting organic fertiliser production and marketing. Identify potential investors (donors, impact investors etc) and financing initiatives that provide significant potential for the commercial organic fertiliser sector Identify opportunities and suggest a practical strategy for innovation, investment, partnerships, and programme development for Practical Action. 4. Scope of Work The consultant will undertake the study in Zimbabwe and Rwanda. The study will engage the following target groups: Smallholder farmers (male, female, and youth and persons with disabilities) Farmer organisations and cooperatives Organic fertiliser producers Agro-dealers and input suppliers Waste management actors Municipal authorities Government ministries and regulators (e.g. Agric, Standards) NGOs and development partners Research institutions and universities Financial institutions and investors 5. Research Themes and Key Questions The study will be structured around eight thematic areas. The consultant is expected to address the following research questions on each theme: Theme 1: Farmer Awareness, Adoption and Use Theme 1a: Awareness, Adoption and Use of Home/Farm-Produced Organic Fertilisers What proportion of farmers currently produce and use home/farm-produced organic fertilisers, have discontinued their use, or have never used them? What types of home-produced organic fertilisers are used, on which crops and farming systems, and to what extent (frequency and area covered)? How does adoption and use vary by agro-ecological zone, farming system, gender, age, disability, socioeconomic status, household resources, and market orientation? To what extent are home-produced organic fertilisers used alone or together with synthetic fertilisers and other soil fertility management practices? What trends in adoption and use have occurred over the past five years? What factors explain continued use, discontinuation, or expansion of home-produced organic fertiliser use? Theme 1b: Awareness, Adoption and Use of Commercially Produced Organic Fertilisers What proportion of farmers currently use, have discontinued using, or have never used commercially produced organic fertilisers? Which commercial organic fertiliser products are most commonly purchased (specific brands, and preference) and used, on which crops, and at what scale and frequency? How does adoption and use vary across agro-ecological zones, farming systems, gender, age, socioeconomic groups, and market-oriented versus subsistence farmers? To what extent are commercial organic fertilisers integrated with synthetic fertilisers and other soil fertility management practices? What purchasing and repeat-use patterns exist, and what factors influence continued use or discontinuation? Theme 2: Farmer Perceptions and Knowledge 2a: Farmer Perceptions and Knowledge of Home/Farm-Produced Organic Fertiliser What types of organic fertilisers are produced by farmers at home/farm? Which raw materials are most commonly used and what determines their availability throughout the year? What knowledge do farmers have regarding Home/Farm-Produced Organic Fertiliser techniques, quality standards, application methods, and Integrated Soil Fertility Management? How do farmers perceive the effectiveness, labour requirements, costs, and benefits of home-produced organic fertilisers compared with synthetic and commercial organic fertilisers? What technical, economic, cultural, or resource constraints influence farmers ability to produce and use home-produced organic fertilisers? What traditional or indigenous knowledge systems influence organic fertiliser production and use? Theme 2b: Farmer Perceptions and Knowledge of Commercially Produced Organic Fertiliser What is farmers level of awareness of commercially produced organic fertiliser products? How many farmers have used it? Is it available locally? How do farmers perceive the quality, effectiveness, affordability, value for money, and competitiveness of commercial organic fertilisers relative to synthetic fertilisers? How and where do farmers access commercial organic fertilisers, and what factors influence purchasing decisions, trust, and product preferences? What are the main access barriers? Which information sources influence farmers to make significant changes to their farming practices? To what extent do farmers understand and practice Integrated Soil Fertility Management? Is anyone using this approach (combining organic and chemical fertiliser)? Theme 3: Commercial Organic Fertiliser Ecosystem Who are the commercial organic fertiliser producers, and what are their products, production technologies, raw material sources, production capacities, and geographic coverage? What business models are employed (distribution systems, target farmers, outreach and marketing)? What are the current production capacities, distribution systems, demand and market reach? What is the current market size, demand, competitive landscape, and growth potential of the commercial organic fertiliser sector? What are the major technical, financial, regulatory, and market constraints limiting business growth and competitiveness? Where are the blockages in the system, and what is constraining the expansion of commercial organic fertiliser companies? What financing mechanisms, investment opportunities, public-private partnerships, and support services are available to the sector? Which market segments, technologies, innovations, and business models offer the greatest opportunities for future growth? Theme 4: Input Delivery System Tender Link : https://www.jobinrwanda.com/job/terms-reference-scoping-study-organic-fertiliser-sector