Evidence-Based Study on Accountability in Agricultural Input...

TOR (Terms of Reference) for Evidence-Based Study on Accountability in Agricultural Input Supply Chains in Jenin

Background

In the agricultural sector of the West Bank, vegetable production is highly reliant on local nurseries for quality seedlings. The current demand for vegetable seedlings is as follows: Jenin (65 million), Tubas and northern Jordan Valley (55 million), Tulkarem (19 million), and Qalqilya (3 million). Despite the high demand, the sector faces several systemic challenges, including low-quality seed inputs, poor labeling, insufficient quality control, and limited accountability frameworks, all of which negatively affect farmer livelihoods and productivity.

In 2025, a case in Jenin illustrated these issues. Local service providers supplied nurseries with seeds intended for baby cucumber production. These seeds were distributed to farmers, who later discovered that they were not baby cucumber varieties. This resulted in significant financial losses due to mismatched market demands and input costs. The incident highlighted the lack of clear guidelines on responsibility or liability, leaving farmers without compensation while blame was diffused among various parties.

This case underscores a critical gap in the seedling supply chain: the absence of mechanisms for verification, labeling, accountability, and compensation in cases of seed fraud or misrepresentation. With over 60 licensed vegetable nurseries and more than 47,000 vegetable producers in the West Bank, such failures can have wide-reaching consequences. Smallholder farmers, in particular, are disproportionately impacted.

To address this, the Palestinian Farmers’ Union (PFU) seeks to hire a consultant to produce an evidence-based study examining this case and the broader systemic issues. The consultant will document the case and its impact, identify accountability gaps, analyze the seedling supply chain, and deliver actionable policy and advocacy recommendations, including entry points and interventions to protect smallholder farmers and improve transparency and oversight.

Objectives

The purpose of this consultancy is to conduct an evidence-based study on the discrepancy between expected and actual varieties and quality of vegetable seeds in Jenin, with the aim of:

• Documenting the misrepresented baby cucumber seed case and its consequences for smallholder farmers.
• Identifying systemic weaknesses in the seedling supply chain and regulatory frameworks.
• Analyzing roles and responsibilities of relevant actors (service providers, nurseries, Ministry of Agriculture, local organizations, etc.).
• Providing evidence-based recommendations for policies, regulatory improvements, and advocacy actions to ensure accountability and protect farmers.
• Proposing scalable entry points and intervention strategies, including:
  • Enhancing dialogue between nursery owners and farmers.
  • Improving seedling quality through licensing by the Ministry of Agriculture.
  • Formalizing relationships between farmers and nurseries through contracts and documented transactions.

Scope of Work

The consultant will:

Case Documentation

• Conduct interviews with affected farmers, nurseries, seed suppliers, and Ministry of Agriculture representatives.
• Document the sequence of events, involved actors, economic losses, and any resolution attempts.

Policy and Regulatory Review

• Review existing seed certification, labeling, and licensing standards.
• Assess institutional responsibilities related to oversight, inspection, and reimbursement.

Recommendations

• Propose actionable recommendations to:
  • Prevent mislabeling and counterfeit seed distribution.
  • Clarify accountability frameworks.
  • Protect farmers’ rights and promote dispute resolution mechanisms.
  • Improve traceability, quality assurance, and farmer awareness.
• Suggest intervention strategies to foster farmer-nursery collaboration and formal agreements.

Deliverables

• Inception Report: Including methodology and work plan.
• Draft Report: Comprehensive documentation and analysis of the Jenin case.
• Final Report: Incorporating stakeholder feedback, in both English and Arabic.
• Entry Points and Intervention Strategies
• Validation Workshop: Presentation of findings to stakeholders and incorporation of feedback.

Timeline

The consultancy will be completed within 15 working days. A detailed timeline will be agreed upon at the start of the consultancy.

Please submit the proposal (separate technical & financial offer) and requested documents by inhaled envelopes to the Palestinian Farmers Union headquarters (al-Bireh, close to the representative office of the Netherlands) no later than. 15/6/2025.

Attached is TOR for review.

For any questions, feel free to contact the Project Coordinator:

Yasmine Nazzal

 0568811858

[email protected]