Consultant for the Champion Farmers Program

About SELCO Foundation

SELCO Foundation works towards Alleviating Poverty and Fighting Climate Change through Decentralised Renewable Energy Driven Solutions. The foundation works closely with communities to identify livelihood challenges and solve them using energy-efficient technologies and appropriately designed solar energy systems. It works on field-based R&D work and has developed various models and processes, in sectors of basic energy access, health, education, livelihoods, financial inclusion and built environment which can be replicated and scaled up to bring in social inclusivity and equity in the nation

Background

As climate change threatens global food security and agricultural productivity, there is an urgent need to innovate and adapt our farming practices. Progressive farmers, who are at the forefront of agricultural innovation, play a crucial role in developing and implementing sustainable solutions. This program aims to recognize, support, and empower 30 such progressive farmers to lead the way in sustainable agricultural practice while creating a knowledge repository that serves as a guide for younger farmers to widely adopt.

Purpose:

To engage consultants / coordinators who will support ground-level activities for the program, focusing on the identification of progressive farmers, needs assessments, problem and solution identification, and pilot demonstrations.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• 1. Identification of Progressive Farmers:
  • Mapping and Outreach: Identify progressive farmers across targeted geographies using various channels such as cooperatives, Department of Agriculture, KVKs, ATMA, NGOs, and social and agri-platforms.
  • Criteria Assessment: Evaluate and select farmers based on criteria such as innovative sustainable agricultural practices, leadership potential, and diversified activities.
  • Data Collection and Analysis: Gather and analyze data to identify best practices and innovative solutions that farmers themselves recognise and address needs in the agricultural sector.
• 2. Problem and Solution Identification:
  • Organize Workshops/Sessions: Facilitate innovation workshops and sessions with progressive farmers to identify key problems and develop innovative solutions.
  • Pilot demonstration: Coordinate and oversee pilot demonstrations of developed solutions in real-world settings.
• 3.Reporting and Documentation:
  • Progress Reports: Prepare and submit regular progress reports on activities, findings, and outcomes.
  • Knowledge Repository: Contribute to the development of a comprehensive knowledge repository, including case studies, video testimonials, and other resources.
• 4.Collaboration and Coordination:
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Liaise with sectoral experts, progressive farmers, and representatives from SELCO Foundation and other partners to ensure smooth execution of the program.
  • Feedback Integration: Incorporate feedback from the review committee and other stakeholders to improve program implementation.

Deliverables:

• Identification: Detailed reports on identified progressive farmers.
• Needs Assessment Reports: Comprehensive reports on needs assessments, problem statements, and potential required solutions.
• Workshop Summaries: Documentation of workshops and sessions, including identified problems and proposed solutions.
• Pilot Testing Reports: Reports on the outcomes of pilot tests, including recommendations for scaling
• Knowledge Repository Contributions: Contributions to the development and maintenance of the knowledge repository.
• Progress Reports: Regular updates on program activities, achievements, and challenges.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Relevant Experience: Passionate about working with champion farmers, with experience in livelihoods, agricultural development, innovation, and related fields preferably, minimum of 2-3 years of experience in relevant sector
• Educational Background: Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Science, Rural Development, Environmental Science, Renewable Energy, or a related field. Master’s Degree or higher qualifications in these areas can be an added advantage.
• Local Knowledge: Familiarity with the target regions and their agricultural
• Skills: Strong communication, Program facilitation, documentation, data analysis, and project management skills.

Process:

Applications will be processed on a rolling basis.

To apply for the position of Consultant- Champion Farmers Program,Please click Here