TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONDUCTING A MARKET STUDY IN RUSHINGA, MT DARWIN AND SEKE DISTRICTS

Company: ctdt
Location: Zimbabwe
Closing Date: 30 July 2026

1. Background

Community Technology Development Organisation (CTDO) is implementing the Enhanced Resilience, Adaptation to Shocks and Economic Strengthening (ERASE) Continuation Project in Rushinga, Mt Darwin and Seke districts. The project aims to improve household incomes and food security for smallholder farmers through strengthened market linkages and sustainable water and ecosystem management. Previous phases of the ERASE project supported farmers to increase production of diverse agricultural commodities, including horticultural produce, traditional grains, legumes and value-added products. While farmers have realised minimal income from the sale of agricultural products, challenges remain regarding market access, aggregation, access to reliable market information, product quality, value addition and diversification of market channels. CTDO therefore intends to engage a qualified consultant to undertake a comprehensive market study in Rushinga, Mt Darwin and Seke districts. The study will generate evidence to inform market linkage interventions and identify viable market opportunities for commodities and products produced by project beneficiaries.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of the assignment is to assess existing and potential markets for agricultural commodities and value-added products produced by smallholder farmers in Rushinga, Mt Darwin and Seke districts and recommend practical strategies for strengthening sustainable and profitable market linkages. Duties and Responsibilities

3. Specific Objectives

The market study will:

Identify key agricultural commodities focusing on horticultural crops, traditional grains and value-added products with high market potential in the three target districts.
Assess existing production, marketing and value chain systems for selected commodities.
Identify existing and potential local, district, national and, where feasible, export market opportunities.
Map key market actors, including farmers, aggregators, traders, processors, retailers, institutional buyers and other private sector actors.
Assess market demand, supply trends, prices, product specifications, quality standards and buyer requirements.
Identify barriers affecting smallholder farmers' participation in profitable and sustainable markets.
Understand the interplay between market actors and market system forces towards the creation of strong market linkages
Assess opportunities for farmer aggregation, collective marketing and contract farming or other structured market arrangements.
Identify opportunities for value addition, processing, packaging and product differentiation.
Assess existing market information systems and identify appropriate digital and non- digital market information platforms for farmers.
Analyse gender, youth and disability-related barriers and opportunities within selected agricultural markets and value chains.
Recommend practical and district-specific market linkage strategies for the ERASE project and participating farmers.

4. Scope of the Assignment

The consultant will review agricultural production and marketing systems relevant to ERASE- supported farmers. Particular attention should be given to:

Horticultural products;
Traditional grains and legumes
Value-added products such as dried vegetables, grain flour, peanut butter, etc.

The consultant will assess the entire market chain from production to the final market and identify commercially viable opportunities that can realistically be accessed by smallholder farmers. The study should take into consideration differences in production systems, infrastructure, proximity to markets and economic conditions across the three districts.

5. Key Tasks of the Consultant

The consultant will be expected to undertake the following tasks:

Conduct an inception meeting with CTDO to clarify the assignment and agree on the methodology and work plan.
Review relevant ERASE project documents, reports, farmer records and other relevant market studies.
Submit an inception report outlining the methodology and workplan and incorporating all the data collection tools
Conduct field data collection in Rushinga, Mt Darwin and Seke.
Submit a draft report for review followed by a presentation of findings to the CTDO panel leading to the final report

6. Key Study Questions

The study should, among other issues, answer the following questions:

What commodities and products are produced in the target districts and their levels of production?
What commodities and products have the greatest market potential in each target district?
What quantities are currently produced and marketed by smallholder farmers?
What are the current production systems for each of the identified commodities?
Who are the current and potential buyers?
What volumes, quality standards and product specifications are required by buyers?
What are the prevailing and seasonal market prices?
What market channels provide the greatest potential returns to farmers?
What factors constrain farmers from accessing higher-value markets?
What factors constrain the market from accessing commodities from farmers in the target districts?
What opportunities exist for aggregation and collective marketing?
What is the level of value addition in the target districts?
What value addition and processing opportunities are commercially viable?
What type of infrastructure is readily available to support market participation?
What infrastructure and services are required to strengthen market participation?
What is the current source of market information in the target districts?
What market information systems are most appropriate for farmers?
How can women, youth and PWDs participate more effectively and benefit from identified market opportunities?
What are the production and market barriers
What partnerships can CTDO facilitate between farmers and private sector market actors?

7. Expected Deliverables

The consultant will be expected to submit the following deliverables:

Inception Report outlining the consultant's understanding of the assignment, detailed methodology, sampling approach, data collection tools and work plan.
Draft Market Study Report presenting findings from the three districts, market and value chain analysis, market actor mapping and preliminary recommendations.
Database of the highly marketable commodities and value-added products prioritised by market relevance
Market Actor and Buyer Database containing details of identified buyers, off-takers, processors, aggregators and other relevant market actors.
District-specific Market Linkage Strategies
Validation Presentation summarising key findings and recommendations.
Final Market Study Report incorporating comments from CTDO and stakeholders.
Clean datasets and completed data collection tools generated during the assignment.

8. Duration of the Assignment

The assignment is expected to be completed within 30 working days from the date of signing the contract. The consultant should propose a detailed work plan showing the allocation of time to inception, field data collection, analysis, validation and report preparation.

9. Required Qualifications and Experience

The consultant or consulting firm should possess:

A postgraduate qualification in Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Economics, Marketing or a related field.
At least five years of demonstrated experience in agricultural market research, value chain analysis or agribusiness development. An understanding of Market Systems Development (MSD) would be an an added advantage.
Demonstrated experience working with smallholder farmers and agricultural value chains in Zimbabwe.
Strong knowledge of horticulture, traditional grains and agricultural markets.
Experience in market actor mapping, buyer engagement and value chain analysis.
Demonstrated understanding of gender and social inclusion in agricultural markets.
Excellent report writing and presentation skills.

10. Management and Reporting Arrangements

The consultant will work under the overall supervision of CTDO and will report to the designated Project Manager. CTDO district and project staff will facilitate introductions to relevant stakeholders and provide available project documentation and data. The consultant will remain responsible for the technical quality of the study, data collection, analysis and timely submission of all agreed deliverables.

11. Application Requirements

Interested consultants or consulting firms should submit:

A detailed technical and financial proposal demonstrating understanding of the assignment and proposed methodology;
A detailed work plan;
Curriculum vitae of the lead consultant and key team members;
Evidence of similar assignments previously undertaken; and
At least two references for similar assignments.

12. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be assessed based on:

Understanding of the assignment – 20%
Proposed methodology and approach – 30%
Relevant qualifications and experience – 25%
Experience in agricultural market and value chain studies – 15%
Financial proposal and value for money – 10%

13. How to apply

Applications should be submitted to admin@ctdt.co.zw, not later than 30th July 2026.

N.B. ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE NOTIFIED

How to Apply: Email: admin@ctdt.co.zw