Expression of Interest For Nutrition-Sensitive Land Use Study

Expression of Interest are invited for Nutrition-Sensitive Land Use Study. Closing Date: 12 Feb 2025 Type: Consultancy Themes: Climate Change and Environment/Food and Nutrition EXPRESSION OF INTEREST(EOI) # EOI NO. DESCRIPTION 1. WV/EOI/005/FY25 Nutrition-Sensitive Land Use Study Introduction SomRePs Contributions to Resilience-Building in Somalia Over the years, the Somali Resilience Program (SomReP), a consortium of seven international NGOs (INGOs) and one local NGO (LNGO), has been at the forefront in enhancing household resilience in Somalia. Operating in one of the worlds most fragile and climate-affected regions, SomReP has consistently implemented multi-sectoral interventions to address the persistent challenges of food insecurity, poverty, and climatic shocks. The program has strategically focused on empowering communities to withstand and recover from the adverse effects of droughts, floods, and other climate-related disruptions. SomRePs approach is rooted in evidence-based and integrated resilience programming. Initiatives such as climate-smart agriculture have helped smallholder farmers adopt practices that enhance crop productivity while maintaining ecological balance. Through market systems development, SomReP has supported communities in accessing markets, improving incomes, and diversifying livelihoods. Additionally, sustainable livelihoods programming has equipped households with the skills and resources necessary to build adaptive capacities, ensuring that they can thrive even in the face of unpredictable shocks. Central to SomRePs strategy has been the integration of nutrition programming. Recognizing the critical role of nutrition in building resilient communities, the program has worked to: Promote diversified diets by encouraging the cultivation and consumption of nutrient-rich crops. Support local food production systems that align with the nutritional and economic needs of households. Empower households to balance subsistence farming with income-generating opportunities, ensuring that food security and economic stability are addressed concurrently. Despite significant achievements, gaps remain in understanding the optimal use of land resources for dual purposes, maximizing contribution to household nutritional outcomes and generating sufficient income. The challenge is particularly pronounced in fragile agro-ecological zones, where climate unpredictability and limited resources constrain agricultural productivity. Without clear guidance on how to allocate land efficiently for subsistence and cash crop production, many households struggle to achieve the delicate balance between food security and economic resilience. SomRePs ongoing commitment to addressing these gaps underscores the importance of exploring sustainable land use practices that includes nutrition sensitive agriculture production. By building on its existing resilience interventions, the program aims to generate actionable insights that will further guide and empower Somali households to sustainably manage their land, secure their livelihoods, and improve their overall well-being. Thus, by focusing on optimizing land use for both nutritional sufficiency and income generation, this study represents a critical step in contributing toward achieving SomRePs broader vision of fostering resilient and self-reliant communities. Background Recurring Shocks Somalias climate is characterized by extreme variability, resulting in frequent droughts, floods, and pest infestations. These shocks disrupt agricultural production cycles, destroy crops and livestock, and erode household assets. The cumulative effect is widespread food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children and women. Recurring shocks leave households trapped in a cycle of vulnerability, with little capacity to recover or adapt to future risks[1]. Limited Land Use Efficiency Smallholder farmers face significant challenges in utilizing their limited land resources efficiently. They often struggle to balance land allocation between subsistence crops, which provide food for household consumption, and cash crops, which generate income. Inefficient land use results in suboptimal agricultural yields and limited economic returns, exacerbating both food insecurity and poverty[2]. Nutritional Deficits Despite being engaged in agricultural activities, many households in Somalia fail to achieve dietary diversity. Staple crops dominate production, while nutrient-rich crops such as vegetables, fruits, and legumes are often neglected. As a result, diets frequently lack the variety needed to meet recommended caloric and nutritional intake levels, leading to widespread malnutrition. This issue is compounded by limited knowledge of nutrition-sensitive farming practices[3]. Knowledge Gaps There is a critical lack of evidence-based guidance on how households can optimize land use to achieve both food security and income generation. Farmers often lack the technical knowledge to determine the best combination of subsistence and cash crops, considering factors such as soil fertility, water availability, and market demand. This gap in knowledge limits their ability to make informed decisions and adapt to changing conditions[4]. Addressing these interlinked challenges requires a nuanced and holistic approach. Developing a clear understanding of household dietary needs and matching them with sustainable subsistence crop production is essential. Identifying optimal land use strategies that maximize nutritional outcomes while generating sufficient income through marketable cash crops is crucial. Strengthening local food systems by promoting crops that are both ecologically viable and economically valuable, improving market linkages and infrastructure, and empowering communities with knowledge and tools to make data-driven decisions about land allocation and agricultural practices are vital steps toward achieving sustainable food security and economic resilience in Somalia. Justification for the Study This Study seeks to address key knowledge gaps by exploring the optimal balance between subsistence and cash crop cultivation, guided by nutritional and economic considerations. The findings are expected to deliver transformative insights and tangible benefits in the following ways: informing SomRePs resilience-building interventions: By providing data-driven insights into sustainable land use practices, the study will enable SomReP to refine its agriculture programming and better address the needs of rural households. Evidence from the study will strengthen decision-making processes and ensure agriculture interventions are targeted, effective, and aligned with the programs broader resilience objectives. Equipping households with actionable guidance: The study will develop practical and context-specific recommendations for households to balance food production with income generation. By identifying optimal land use strategies, households can be better equipped to allocate their resources efficiently, thereby enhancing their capacity to achieve both food security and economic stability. Strengthening local food systems: A critical output of this Study will be the identification of viable crops that can be produced to meet nutritional requirement and market demand for the housholds. This will not only support household dietary diversity and nutrition but also foster linkages to value chains, improving market access and generating sustainable incomes for farming communities. Contributing to broader resilience and development goals: The findings will align with and contribute to broader development priorities such as improved nutrition, poverty reduction, and sustainable agricultural practices. By promoting evidence-based solutions, the study will support Somalias progress toward resilience goals and global development agendas, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to zero hunger (SDG 2) and sustainable livelihoods (SDG 8). Objective of the Study The primary objective of this study is to assess optimal land allocation for nutrition-sensitive subsistence and cash crop cultivation, as well as its contribution to food security, income stability, and sustainable resource use. The study seeks to provide practical, evidence-based solutions to maximize the productive use of limited land resources in fragile agro-ecological contexts. Specifically, the study will address the following key objectives: Analyze the land area required to grow subsistence crops that meet household caloric and nutritional needs by evaluating dietary requirements, local consumption patterns, and crop yields, while considering seasonal variations and agro-ecological conditions. Develop a sustainable land use model that balances household food security and income stability. This model will provide practical guidance on how households can allocate land effectively between subsistence and cash crops, addressing local environmental conditions, climatic risks, and market opportunities The study also aims to provide nuanced insights into: Climatic adaptability: Recommendations will incorporate climate-resilient crop options and farming practices to mitigate the risks of droughts and floods. Gender and vulnerability dynamics: Special attention will be given to how land use decisions affect vulnerable groups, including women-headed households, who often face unique challenges in agricultural production and market access. Scalability and applicability: The land use model will be designed to be replicable across other districts and adaptable to varying agro-ecological zones in Somalia. Scope of Work The Study will focus on delivering actionable and targeted insights that align with the two main objectives of the study: assessing household nutritional needs, determining optimal la Tender Link : https://reliefweb.int/job/4130242/expression-interest-nutrition-sensitive-land-use-study