Unlocking Digital Agri-advisory Solutions to Boost Productivity for Uttarakhand Horticulture Farmers

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Unlocking Digital Agri-advisory Solutions to Boost Productivity for Uttarakhand Horticulture Farmers

概要

実施内容

This Request for Proposal (RFP) signifies a collaborative initiative between JICA DX Lab and the Government of Uttarakhand, aiming to select a technology solution provider (Digital Partner) for a Proof of Concept (PoC) project. The primary objective of the PoC is to validate the effectiveness of a digital/technology solution in elevating farmers' income by enhancing the productivity of fruits and vegetables. This encompasses the dissemination of best cultivation practices, personalized farm input advisories, climate alerts, and pest and disease control measures tailored to horticulture crops. The successful completion of the PoC will trigger an evaluation of the solution's feasibility for scaled deployment. The Digital Partner is expected to implement this solution in at least two Uttarakhand districts, reaching out to 2000-3000 farmers. The maximum budget allocation for services is set at USD 100,000, inclusive of all associated taxes and expenses; however, it is worth noting that this budget may be subject to adjustment based on the final PoC plan and related costs. Timely progress reports will provide detailed project analysis and data-driven insights, culminating in a comprehensive final report encompassing PoC results, activities, quantitative and qualitative evaluations based on predetermined KPIs, along with technical, operational, and strategic recommendations for Uttarakhand state PMU teams, JICA, and the Operator.

実施期間

The PoC, scheduled to commence with a setup phase in December 2023, followed by an implementation phase in January 2024, will span a duration of 6 months.

案件ステータス

案件ステータス

Index

背景

Located in northern India, Uttarakhand has the potential to become a leading horticulture state, owing to its favorable climate and the production of high-quality horticultural products. The region's lower temperatures in certain areas allow year round cultivation of important vegetables like peas, tomatoes, and cauliflower, ensuring a steady supply of fresh produce. Over 23% of Uttarakhand's land is dedicated to organic farming, providing nutrient-rich and chemical-free horticultural products. Uttarakhand's horticulture sector significantly contributes to the state's economy, with vegetable production alone exceeding INR 1.5k crores annually and fruit production, including apples, pears, plums, apricots, and kiwis, surpassing 6 lakh tonnes per year.

Despite the considerable agricultural potential in Uttarakhand, its farmers face numerous obstacles that hinder their ability to achieve higher incomes. One major hurdle is the persistently low crop productivity, primarily stemming from a lack of awareness about the precise inputs required and their optimal quantities for maximizing yields and managing pests effectively. Moreover, farmers heavily rely on past experiences rather than real-time demand information when deciding which crops to cultivate, potentially leading to overproduction, and missed opportunities for better market prices.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Government of Uttarakhand have collaborated to initiate the Uttarakhand Integrated Horticulture Development Project, with JICA committing over $50 million in Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the state to address these challenges. In alignment with these efforts, this RFP is being initiated for the PoC to identify a digital partner with the capability to deliver digital Agri-advisory services to farmers. This initiative aims to enhance their productivity and bolster their resilience in the face of climate variations, pests, and diseases.
Join us in revolutionizing the horticulture landscape of Uttarakhand through digital innovation in the agricultural value chain. Let's work together to make a lasting impact and empower farmers to enhance their livelihoods with the power of technology and collaboration.

関連資料

案件参加者

スポンサー

Maria Kato

Japan International Cooperation Agency/Representative of JICA India Office

JICA's support to the agriculture sector in Uttarakhand started in 2022 by providing concessional loans to the projects of the states’ Horticulture Departments.
Since then, JICA is encouraging the use of technology to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the projects and is also pursuing to create societal impact through digital technology and data.

Uplifting farmer’s income is one of the serious challenges in Uttarakhand that requires immediate action utilizing cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions. To address this challenge through our projects, we are looking forward to collaborating with digital partners.

Maria Kato

PoCの実施要件

参加資格

  • The Digital Partner must possess significant expertise in providing digital advisory services to diverse farming communities across different regions of the country.
  • The management of the Digital Partner does not include individuals with a history of corruption, arrest records, or affiliations with criminal organizations.

主な業務範囲

  • 対象地域
    The Digital Partner must choose at least 2 districts in Uttarakhand from Nainital, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarkashi, and Pithoragarh.
  • 対象作物
    The primary focus for the PoC will be on fruits like apples, peach, plum, pear, apricot, etc. and vegetables such as peas, tomatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, exotic vegetables like broccoli, etc.
  • PoC向けデジタル・ソリューション
    The Digital Partner must provide customized advisory services to farmers growing vegetables and fruits within the targeted districts, which may include but are not limited to farm input management, weather alerts, pest and disease control measures, soil nutrient management, etc. The solution should help famers in achieving higher productivity, ultimately leading to increase in their income. The digital solution should also involve state extension officers in providing technology-based advisory to farmers.
  • 準備段階で求められる内容
    The Digital Partner shall align on the PoC plan with all the stakeholders and finalize the impact metrics to define the success of the PoC. Additionally, The Digital Partner should review data and reports available in the Related Materials section and identify local partners, if required.
  • 実施段階で求められる内容
    The Digital Partner will onboard farmers onto the platform, provide necessary training to them or local partners if needed, and implement the proposed digital solution on ground. This includes providing the advisory services on fruits and vegetable cultivation to the targeted farmers.

提出期限

Electronic submission must be received at JICADXLab@bcg.com by the latest 23:59 Japan Standard Time on Nov 5, 2023.

予算

USD 100,000 including all taxes and expenses, however negotiable.

RFP

RFP includes detailed information, including the project background, target location and crops, and proposal format. Please visit for details.

技術的要件

  • Digital advisory platformTo provide technology-based customized advisory services to farmers related to horticulture crop production.

Info Session

【終了しました】We plan to host an information session for bidders in the last week of October 27th, 2023, 12:30-1:30 PM (IST) / 4:00-5:00 PM (JST)If you wish to participate, please contact us at JICADXLab@bcg.com.

Update: the session was held on October 27th and please access to the presentation material.See PDF for details.

Inquiries and Contact

We are happy to address any inquiries from Digital Partners via email. Please reach out to us at JICADXLab@bcg.com.