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Expression of Interest are invited for Prototype of Digital Climate and Agromet Advisory Services (DCAAS) for Afghanistan. Publication Date: 12/02/2024 12:00 AM EST EOI Deadline: 12/23/2024 11:59 PM EST Afghanistan is highly vulnerable to intense and recurring natural hazards that threaten growth and stability. Since 2000, natural disasters such as droughts, earthquakes, epidemics, extreme temperature, floods, landslides, and storms have affected nearly 19 million people, resulting in 10,656 deaths. Droughts have had the most widespread impact, with significant events in 2000, 2006, 2008, 2011/12, 2017/18, 2018/19, and 2021/22 affecting over 17 million people. It is estimated that extreme drought could cause US$3 billion in agricultural losses and lead to severe food shortages across the country. Due to its diverse topography, isolated vulnerable communities, and limited coping mechanisms, hazard events in Afghanistan, regardless of security factors, are likely to turn into disasters with significant humanitarian and economic consequences. In October 2023, a severe earthquake resulted in more than 2,400 deaths and injured over 9,400 people. Additionally, devastating flash floods that began in April 2024 resulted in over 500 deaths and damaged hundreds of hectares of agricultural land, worsening food shortages and threatening agricultural livelihoods. Agriculture plays a crucial role in Afghanistans economy, contributing 33.7 percent to the countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 59 percent (US$1.1 billion) of exports, and employing around 46.6 percent of the population in 2023. The countrys unique microclimate conditions and geographic location facilitate the production of a diverse array of high-quality crops that are in high demand in both local and regional markets. However, the agriculture sector largely relies on traditional farming techniques with limited use of modern inputs and technology. Despite extensive efforts to rehabilitate and expand irrigation schemes over the past two decades, periodic droughts, floods, and extreme temperatures continue to cause substantial crop losses, particularly in rainfed areas, which account for 53 percent of total agricultural land. The severe drought of 2018 affected two-thirds of the country - 22 out of 34 provinces according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) - impacting over 10.5 million people and displacing 300,000. The varied agroecological zones in Afghanistan contribute to a diverse mix of agricultural and livestock production systems and livelihoods, leading to varying impacts of drought across districts and provinces. Access to agrometeorological information (hereinafter, agromet) whether in the form of advisories or warnings, can help farmers make informed decisions regarding crop selection, planting schedules, and the efficient use of limited irrigation water and agricultural inputs, thereby optimizing farm output and improving crop quality, and ultimately enhancing productivity and sustainability. The Afghanistan Meteorological Department (AMD), the agency mandated to provide weather and climate forecasts in Afghanistan, publicly shares weather forecasts on their webpage, although this information is not directly disseminated to farmers, particularly those living in rural areas. In 2004, the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL), with support from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), developed an Agromet Unit a network of 102 rain-gauges was installed, and an agrometeorological database and information system was created, encompassing historical weather data from 1942 to 2011 (with some gaps). The project also trained observers in the collection of weather and agriculture data and produced a range of weekly reports, monthly agromet bulletins, and seasonal bulletins based on ground and satellite observations. The recipients of these agromet advisories included government decision-makers, with distribution among farmers limited and mostly undertaken in-person through extensionists. Unfortunately, since the projects closure in 2014, the system has been discontinued and no such information is currently provided to any target group, including local farmers. The lack of agrometeorological information has significantly increased farmers vulnerability to changing climate and weather patterns. Addressing these challenges, especially under the changing climatic conditions, is of the highest priority. The World Bank, through the AF-ECLIM Enhancing Hydromet Early Warning and Climate Services for Resilience Project (P168141), aims to improve the delivery of hydromet, climate, and early warning services to relevant stakeholders and strengthen the knowledge of climate risk management and resilience-building practices in Afghanistan. The project focuses on enhancing the production, translation, and dissemination of weather and hydrological forecasts, as well as impact-based information. By delivering these services to stakeholders and end-users and fostering regional collaboration to enhance the quality of information, the project aims to empower proactive decision-making to effectively mitigate the adverse impacts of natural hazards on life, livelihoods, and property. Furthermore, the World Bank through the Climate Resilience PASA (P500817) aims to expand knowledge on the challenges to sustainable and inclusive growth and development in Afghanistan, considering the climate and disaster shocks as well as the compounding structural risks and threats faced by the country. Focusing on climate and disaster resilience, particularly in rural communities across the food-water-climate nexus, the PASA seeks to promote systemic resilience and sustainable livelihoods by deepening analytics and knowledge, investing in adaptation, and developing a model for preserving and building the adaptive capacity of local communities. This includes prioritizing the sustainability of food systems in Afghanistan, strengthening food and water security, promoting climate and disaster risk management, and building community resilience in rural and urban areas. Objective The primary objective of this consultancy is to develop and pilot a Digital Climate and Agromet Advisory Services (DCAAS) platform prototype in Afghanistan, focusing on three crops in selected districts. This will enable the Bank to explore the potential of digital technologies in enhancing climate resilience, improving agricultural productivity, and supporting smallholder farmers with accurate climate information. The insights gained will inform the design and prioritization of future operations aimed at promoting more effective and sustainable agricultural practices. The specific sub-objectives of this assignment include: Developing a DCAAS platform prototype tailored to three crops (staple/horticulture) in selected districts of Afghanistan in agreement with the Bank team. Priority will be given to areas with high yields of the selected crops, based on the agro-ecological zoning conducted by FAO in 2022. Piloting the design and deployment of agromet advisory services over at least one cropping season. This includes identification and establishment of effective dissemination channels to maximize uptake by smallholder farmers and pastoralists in selected districts. Facilitating the effective utilization of the DCAAS platform through training and support for key stakeholders involved. Tender Link : https://wbgeprocure-rfxnow.worldbank.org/rfxnow/public/advertisement/4365/view.html
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