Large Dairy Farm Technical Assistance

BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION:

Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC), formerly known as the International Executive Service Corps, is a leading U.S. nonprofit organization that fosters private sector development in the economically developing world. Since 1964, we have delivered lasting solutions that have resulted in more than 1.5 million jobs in 137 countries. We partner with businesses, cooperatives, entrepreneurs, jobseekers, and governments to sustainably build capacity, create jobs, and grow enterprises, sharing proven skills and experience that improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities around the world. Our major funders today are the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), among others.

Sri Lanka’s dairy sector at present can only produce about 40 percent of its liquid milk requirement locally. Therefore, the country is focused on improving the overall productivity of the sector. The Market-Oriented Dairy (MOD) Project, funded by the USDA Food for Progress initiative and implemented by IESC, is developing the capacity of dairy industry stakeholders, primarily in the upstream value chain. To meet the objective of increasing national fresh milk production, MOD also works with large dairy farms in Sri Lanka. In the recent past, MOD was instrumental in the formation of the Large Dairy Farm Association (LDFA) comprised of all the large farms in the country.

The LDFA, in close consultation with MOD and the Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH), has initiated the development of a handbook on best management practices for large dairy farms. The target audience of this handbook will be farm managers and technicians. They will use this handbook as generic standard operating procedures (SOP) and have requested technical assistance from MOD to introduce relevant global best practices.

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this assignment is to develop a handbook on best practices in managing large dairy farms. It must be relevant to local conditions and user-friendly for local farm managers and technicians.

APPROACH:

The Volunteer Expert will visit a few large farms to obtain a first-hand understanding of their operations and challenges. This will be followed by conducting a workshop for members of the LDFA to share findings and solicit inputs. Following the workshop, the Volunteer Expert will spend a week or so in one or two selected large farms and, with their input, develop the handbook on best practices in managing large farms.

TASKS:

The Volunteer Expert will:

· Meet with MOD Director and relevant staff to get a clear understanding of the assignment

· Meet with the LDFA executive committee to discuss their needs

· Assess the operations of a few selected large farms

· Conduct a workshop to share findings and solicit inputs

· Develop a draft handbook

· Share recommendations with the DAPH

· Conduct small group meetings to solicit further input as needed

· Conduct a seminar to present the final product

· Submit a report withing one week of departure from country

DELIVERABLES:

· A brief on initial findings and recommendations on best practices

· Presentation for the seminar

· Handbook on Best Practices in Dairy Management in Large Farms

All submissions must be in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

LEVEL OF EFFORT:

Work/Activity

LOE

Preparation work prior to departure

3 days

Travel to Sri Lanka

1 day

In country meetings, farm visits, and writing of the draft handbook

26 days

Travel back to home base

2 days

Completion of handbook

3 days

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:

The technical consultant will report to the MOD Project Director and work closely with the MOD Private Sector Engagement Specialist and others as appropriate.

ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS:

The MOD Project Office will provide hotel accommodation for the consultant(s) when in Colombo. All accommodation, including meals will be provided by the respective partner when on the farm as well as work-related travel in and around the farm.

Work will commence on/about January 8, 2024, and complete by February 23, 2024, which is contingent upon approval from USDA.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The Dairy Volunteer Expert must have:

· over 10 years of hands-on experience working on a dairy farm as well as academic training in animal science;

· an excellent understanding of the operations of farms comprising of herds from 200 – 2000 animals;

· prior experience in writing handbooks; and

· excellent interpersonal and English writing skills.

Experience working in developing county context in the tropics will be an added advantage.