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Expression of Interest are invited for Digital Technologies for an Inclusive, Sustainable, and Resilient Agriculture System in Liberia Liberias agriculture sector serves as a backbone of its economy, employing 60% of the population and contributing 60% to GDP. Dominated by smallholder farming and shifting cultivation, the sector primarily produces crops like rice, cassava, rubber, and palm oil. However, despite the economic importance, agricultural productivity remains low due to limited access to modern techniques, quality inputs, and market information. These challenges are further compounded by environmental degradation, poverty, and a lack of resilient practices, contributing to food insecurity that affects 46% of Liberian households, particularly in rural areas. On average, Liberian households face approximately three months of food insecurity annually. At the same time, Liberias digital landscape is still developing, with internet penetration at 30% and mobile phone usage at 60% as of 2024. The government has initiated efforts to expand broadband infrastructure to improve digital inclusion, but critical challenges persist, including unreliable electricity, high data costs, and limited rural connectivity. These infrastructural barriers hinder the widespread adoption of digital solutions, particularly in the agriculture sector, where innovation is urgently needed to improve productivity and resilience. Recognizing the transformative potential of digital technologies in agriculture, the government has launched some targeted initiatives. In 2024, the country conducted its first digital agriculture census with FAO support. Other ongoing efforts include the introduction of digital tools for agricultural extension services, market information systems, and weather forecasting. However, the uptake and scalability of such initiatives remain limited. To address these challenges and unlock the potential of digital agriculture, there is an urgent need to: 1. Assess the current state of Liberias agriculture sector and digital ecosystem. 2. Identify the barriers and opportunities for adopting innovative, scalable digital solutions. 3. Strengthen partnerships among key stakeholders, including the government, private sector, development partners, and AgTech innovators, to drive collaborative solutions. In this context, the World Bank seeks a qualified consulting firm to conduct a Comprehensive Needs Assessment. This assessment will serve as a foundation for Liberias digital agriculture strategy by generating data-driven insights and actionable recommendations. The findings will guide strategic interventions, including the upcoming Innovation Hackathon. The hackathon will serve as a platform to address Liberias agricultural challenges by fostering innovative, practical, and scalable digital solutions that enhance productivity, resilience, and food security. B. OBJECTIVE The World Bank is looking for a consultant (firm/institution) to develop and conduct a comprehensive needs assessment and user survey to understand the current state of the agriculture sector and digital infrastructure in Liberia. The primary objectives of the consultancy are to: Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to identify the challenges, barriers, and opportunities for adopting digital solutions in Liberias agriculture sector, including technical, regulatory, and financial aspects. Assess the current state and capacity of the AgTech innovation ecosystem, including national, regional, and global networks, to respond to Liberias agricultural challenges. Map and engage key stakeholders within the agriculture and technology ecosystem, such as government agencies, private sector players, farmer organizations, incubators, accelerators, donors, and research institutions. Facilitate stakeholder engagement and public-private partnerships by advising on partnership frameworks, exploring formal and informal arrangements, and organizing stakeholder meetings (co-design sessions) to build collaborative relationships. Develop a prioritized list of actionable problem statements based on the findings of the needs assessment, ensuring the challenges are clearly defined, purpose-driven, and time-bound to guide strategic interventions, such as the upcoming Innovation Hackathon. The Needs Assessment and Survey Report is the final output of the activity. It will be a detailed report addressing the specific challenges and opportunities faced by the Liberias agriculture sector and a prioritized list of digital agriculture services, emphasizing sustainable practices. The report will be published externally. C. MAIN TASKS The consulting firm will conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to evaluate Liberias agriculture sector, digital infrastructure, and regulatory environment, with a specific focus on RETRAP beneficiary districts. The assessment aims to identify challenges, opportunities, and actionable solutions to advance digital agriculture and support the design of the Innovation Hackathon. The consultant will also engage stakeholders to foster partnerships, explore investment opportunities, and recommend regulatory reforms to create an enabling environment for digital agriculture solutions. This would involve close collaboration with Program Implementation Unit (PIU) of the World Banks Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP) as well as Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), all other relevant ministries, development partners as well as other technical partners within the country. The consultant will undertake the following tasks: A) Comprehensive Needs Assessment and Data Collection The consultant will conduct a thorough needs assessment and user survey to evaluate the current state of Liberias agriculture sector, digital infrastructure, and readiness for digital solutions, with a focus on a selected district. This will involve: 1.1 Assessment of Agricultural Sector and Practices · Assess the socioeconomic conditions of smallholder farmers, production systems, input usage, market access, and productivity gaps. · Identify key challenges related to sustainability, climate resilience, and resource optimization in agricultural practices. · Analyze existing agricultural support initiatives and government priorities. 1.2 Digital Infrastructure and Technology Adoption · Evaluate the state of digital infrastructure in target districts, including mobile coverage, internet connectivity, data affordability, and access to electricity. · Assess digital literacy levels and the current acceptance and adoption of digital tools among smallholder farmers. · Identify gaps and opportunities for enhancing farmer connectivity, technology use, and access to relevant digital services. 1.3 Regulatory and Policy Environment · Review regulatory frameworks governing digital technologies, agriculture, and data governance to identify gaps or barriers to innovation. · Assess the feasibility of implementing sandbox approaches to pilot digital agriculture innovations. · Identify opportunities for regulatory reforms to foster an enabling environment for digital agriculture solutions. 1.4 Digital Agriculture Innovation Ecosystem · Map the digital agriculture innovation ecosystem to assess the capacity of national, regional, and global networks to address Liberias challenges. · Analyze the current landscape of digital agriculture innovations, access to financing, and incubation or acceleration programs. · Identify opportunities for integrating innovative solutions into the agriculture sector. To conduct the needs assessment, the consultant will use a mix of methodologies, including: Detailed surveys and interviews with RETRAP beneficiaries, government agencies, private sector players, and development partners in target regions. Leveraging the RETRAP MIS database to establish baseline information and integrate new findings. Utilizing remote sensing technologies (e.g., drones, satellite imagery) to provide geospatial data on land use, ecological conditions, and climate-related impacts where necessary. Analyzing secondary data, existing policies, and stakeholder feedback to inform findings. B) Stakeholder Mapping and Engagement The consultant will identify, analyze, and engage key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and foster collaboration in advancing digital agriculture solutions. Tasks include: 2.1 Stakeholder Mapping · Identify stakeholders across the agriculture and technology ecosystems, including: o Government ministries, regulatory agencies, and public institutions. o Farmer cooperatives, associations, and agricultural service providers. o Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), private sector actors, and AgTech innovators. o Development partners, research institutions, universities, and technical agencies. 2.2 Stakeholder Analysis · Assess stakeholder roles, interests, and capacity to contribute to the adoption and scaling of digital agriculture solutions. · Highlight opportunities for partnerships to address gaps in infrastructure, financing, and technical expertise. 2.3 Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Facilitation · Organize and facilitate co-design sessions and stakeholder workshops to: o Validate findings from the needs assessment. o Identify synergies, challenges, and opportunities for collaboration. · Provide recommendations on public-private partnership frameworks (formal and informal) to enhance collaboration, particularly with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and AgTech innovators. C) Problem Statement Development for the Innovation Hackathon The consultant will define clear, actionable, and validated problem statements to gui Tender Link : https://wbgeprocure-rfxnow.worldbank.org/rfxnow/public/advertisement/4788/view.html
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