Tripura Agriculture Horticulture Project Implementation Unit Consulting Services Expression of Interest

Tripura Rural Economic Growth & Service Delivery Project Agriculture – Horticulture Project Implementation Unit (Directorate of Horticulture & Soil conservation), Tripura, Agartala Email- agrihorti.piu.tresp@gmail.com, dhctripura@yahoo.co.in NOTICE INVITING EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) (Consulting Services) Country India Project Tripura Rural Economic Growth and Service Delivery Project (TRESP) Assignment title Hiring an Integrated Technical Support Agency (ITSA) for Agri-Entrepreneur Promotion, Agri-Horti Marketing & Value Chain Development Reference no.

(as per Procurement Plan) IN-AD-509514-CS-QCBS The Government of Tripura has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Tripura Rural Economic Growth and Service Delivery Project (TRESP), with a total project outlay of approximately USD 175 million, and intends to apply a portion of the proceeds for the procurement of consulting services.

The Directorate of Horticulture & Soil Conservation, Government of Tripura — functioning as a Project Implementation Unit (PIU) under TRESP and headed by the Co-Project Director (Director, Directorate of Horticulture & Soil Conservation) — proposes to engage a Consulting Firm/Integrated Technical Support Agency (ITSA) to provide comprehensive support in Agri-Entrepreneur Promotion, Agri-Horti Marketing, and Value Chain Development under the TRESP framework.

Accordingly, the Directorate of Horticulture & Soil Conservation, Government of Tripura, invites eligible consulting firms to submit their Expression of Interest (EOI) for the provision of these services. Interested firms are requested to furnish detailed information demonstrating their qualifications, relevant experience, and capability to undertake the assignment effectively.

Scope of Services: The consulting services (“the Services”) shall encompass a comprehensive set of activities aimed at strengthening agri-horticulture value chains and promoting entrepreneurship in the State of Tripura under TRESP.

The Services will include, but are not limited to, the following key areas: Submission of inception report & work plan Detailed inception report outlining project understanding, approach, and key objectives. Detailed staffing plan, implementation timelines, and proposed methodology. Draft data collection tools and training calendar Component-wise work plan with defined activities, milestones, and responsibilities. 2.

Value Chain Analysis & Strategy Development Conduct detailed value chain studies for 17 identified agri/horti crops (Maize. Foxtail millet, sesame, mustard, Arahar, black gram, Ginger, Turmeric, Black pepper, Brijal, Chilli, Bhindi, Bottle gourd, Bitter Gourd, Pumpkin, pineapple Identify new potential crops suitable for the area under TRESP.

Analyze production, processing, storage, logistics, and market dynamics of each crop. Identify different actors, the roles played by them, their contribution to the value chain.

Identify the price margin spread across the different commodity value chain Identify gaps and entry point activities across pre-production, production and post production activities including marketing for different commodity value chain Develop strategic commodity-specific stragic guideline for value chain development and market entry strategies for local, national, and international markets, keeping in mind the project context.

3. Develop Sustainable Agri-Entrepreneurs (AEs) : Identification & Training: Select 92 Agri-Entrepreneurs (4 per block) as per the criteria mentioned in the PIP. Conduct 12 batches of training (4 per year) with 5 to 10 days modules. Training covers input business, CHC operation, nursery business, and output/processing units.

Provide handholding support to AEs Provide required skill certification upon completion of respective training modules. Business Areas & Training Modules: Input Business: Objective: Enable AEs to supply quality agri-inputs (seeds, fertilizers, plant protection). Training: Procurement, inventory, pricing, marketing, and finance. Support: Link with suppliers, link with departmental schemes, monitor performance.

Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs): Objective: Equip AEs to manage rental services for agri-machinery. Training: Asset management, rental systems, maintenance. Support: Setup transparent systems, usage tracking. Processing Units & Output Marketing: Objective: Build capacity for managing value-added processing and market linkage. Training: Post-harvest, food safety, branding, distribution.

Support: Compliance, certification, B2B/B2C linkages. Nursery Business: Objective: Develop high-quality sapling/ spawn/ fingerling production and marketing skills. Training: Propagation, cost estimation, sales strategy. Any other business support 4 .

Post-Harvest and Marketing Planning Develop year-wise and season-wise Post-Harvest and Marketing Plans for PGs and their associated CLFs/FPOs, including roadmap for rollout, collective aggregation, processing, packaging, and logistics and marketing (as applicable) Plan for infrastructure requirement as well as ensure alignment with existing infrastructure availability Include integration with online platforms, and export markets as well as possible value-added product strategies.

Revise and update market and logistics strategies annually, based on past experience and if required plan for collection centre, cold-chain and processing infrastructure. 5.

Post-Harvest Management & Value Addition Provide hand hold support to all PGs on best practices for aggregation, post-harvest handling, grading, packaging, and storage etc Facilitate adoption of suitable processing and value addition technologies as applicable for different crops grown by the PG members. Identify diversification opportunities to enhance the product range and marketability.

Support PGs and CLFs/FPO in developing, processing, packaging and branding at least 1 product in 1 block (Total-23 Block) 6 .

Capacity Building and Training Develop training at least 5 modules around seasonal crop harvest planning; crop wise post-harvest techniques; understanding crop specific market dynamics; process of aggregation and logistics management; vendor/ market players/ buyers’ identification and relationship management; quality control; tracking cost, profit and managing post-harvest losses, etc.

using relevant IEC Materials for Awareness & others, if necessary, in English, Bengali, and Kokborok . Prepare and acceptance annual training calendars for training of PG Leaders, CLF/FPO staffs, project staffs, Agri- entrepreneur.

Conduct 5 training sessions for at least 2,000 PG leaders using the FFS (Farmer Field School) model, 5 training for 92 Agri-entrepreneur, 5 module training for at least 100 CLF/FPO staffs, and 5 training for 50 project staffs functionaries across all implementation years. 7 .

Market Linkages and Business Turnover Enhancement Facilitate market linkage for a minimum of 80% of PGs formed under the project each year (cumulative number for each year). Ensure each PG is linked with at least one state or national level buyer. Execute and document formal MoUs or agreements where applicable.

Track and report business turnover and facilitate a minimum 20% increase in farmer profit margins through market access, value addition, and improved negotiation skills. Individual farmer level data to be collected and updated on a regular basis, season wise for all years.

aggregation minimum two agri/horti commodity & minimum 10 consignment with connect exporter or directly by the TSA Facilitate market linkage of farmer produce through integration with e-NAM, ONDC & others platforms for enhanced transparency and better price realization. 8 .

Exposure Visits Organize 1 day’s intra-state exposure visits for community cadres, CLF/PG/FPO/Agri-entrepreneur leaders, and project staff – minimum 4 batches (120 participants). Organize 4-5 days inter-state exposure visits for agri-entrepreneur/FPO/CLF project staffs – minimum 4 batches (100 participants).

Design visits to focus on successful models of value chain development, collective marketing, and agri-processing. 9. Reporting, Documentation, and Knowledge Sharing Annual Reports & Knowledge Management – Submission of annual progress reports, knowledge management reports, and documentation of key activities.

Case Studies & Success Stories – Preparation of detailed case studies, success stories along with short videos and best practices highlighting impact. Market Linkages & Profit Outcomes – Documentation of market linkage achievements and profit enhancement outcomes.

Final Documentation & Exit Plan – Submission of Draft & Final Consolidated Report with sustainability and exit plan, including final training completion summary and short documentary videos. Deliverables and Payment Schedule: The payment to the selected consulting agency shall be milestone-based and linked to the successful completion and approval of deliverables. The indicative schedule is presented below: Sl. No.

Deliverable (Output) Timeline Payment % 1 Acceptance of Inception Report & Work Plan. T + 1 Month 3% 2 Acceptance of report on Value Chain Analysis & Strategy. T + 4 Months 5% 3 PHM & Marketing Planning– Year 1 : Acceptance of Draft plan for 23 blocks covering aggregation, packaging, digital/export linkages.

T + 5 Months 4% 4 Agri-Entrepreneur Development– Year 1 : Acceptance of 92 Agri-Entrepreneurs selected, report on 4 batch of training conducted and business handholding support provided as per scope. T + 6 Months 5% 5 Capacity Building – Year 1 : Acceptance of 5 training modules (English, Bengali, Kokborok) & report on delivery of trainings on modules as per scope.

T + 8 Months 5% 6 Exposure Visits – Year 1 : Acceptance of report on 1 intra-state and 1 inter-state exposure visit conducted. T + 10 Months 3% 7 Market Linkages – Year 1 : Acceptance of report on Linkage of at least 20% of identified PGs with state/national-level buyers.

T + 11 Months 3% 8 Reporting – Year 1 : Acceptance annual progress report, Knowledge Management reports, case studies, success stories along with short videos, market linkage outcomes. T + 12 Months 3% Total -Year 1 31% 9 PHM & Marketing Plan – Year 2 : Acceptance of Revised plan based on Year 1 experience; conduct infrastructure gap analysis (collection centers, cold chain); link with GeM/ONDC.

T + 14 Months 3% 10 Agri-Entrepreneur Development – Year 2: Acceptance of report on revised training for 92 AEs conducted, finalize business plans and initiate business support as per scope. T + 16 Months 5% 11 Capacity Building – Year 2 : Acceptance of report on 5-module training to 800 PG leaders (FFS model), 100 CLF/FPO staff, 50 project staff, selected AEs conducted as per scope.

T + 18 Months 5% 12 Exposure Visits – Year 2: Acceptance of report on 1 intra-state (1 day, 30 participants) and 1 inter-state (5 days, 25 participants) visit organized. T + 19 Months 3% 13 Market Linkages – Year 2 : Acceptance of report on linkage of least 30% of identified PGs with state/national-level buyers.

T + 20 Months 5% 14 Reporting – Year 2: Acceptance annual progress report, Knowledge Management reports, case studies, success stories along with short videos.

T + 22 Months 3% 15 PHM & Value Addition – Year 2 : Acceptance of report on handholding support provided to PGs on aggregation, grading, packaging, and storage; demonstrate processing and value addition; develop at least 1 value-added product in each block (minimum 13 blocks under TRESP to be covered).

T + 24 Months 5% Total-Year 2 29% 16 PHM & Marketing Plan – Year 3 : Acceptance of Revised plan, report on infra gap analysis and link with GeM/ONDC. T + 26 Months 3% 17 Agri-Entrepreneur Development – Year 3 : Acceptance of report on training to 92 AEs in 4 batches; provide follow-up support; track profits; link AEs with FPOs as per scope.

T + 28 Months 5% 18 Capacity Building – Year 3 : Acceptance of report on training of 600 PG leaders, 100 CLF/FPO staff, 50 staff, and selected AEs (modules reduced compared to Y1/Y2) as per scope. T + 30 Months 5% 19 Exposure Visits – Year 3 : Accepted of report on 2 intra-state (1 day, 30 participants/batch) and 2 inter-state (5 days, 25 participants/batch) visits conducted.

T + 31 Months 4% 20 Market Linkages – Year 3: Acceptance of report on Linkage of at least 30% of identified PGs with buyers. T + 32 Months 5% 21 Export & Online Linkages: Acceptance of report on at least 10 consignments facilitated; establish linkages with 2–3 exporters for at least 2–3 crops; sign formal agreements; link PGs with eNAM/ONDC.

T + 33 Months 4% 22 Business Turnover & Profit Tracking: Acceptance of report on PG business turnover & farmer profits for 3 years & to ensure 20% profit increase for at least 80% farmers.

T + 34 Months 6% 23 PHM & Value Addition – Year 3 : Acceptance of report on handholding support to PGs provided on aggregation, storage, and processing; develop at least 1 value-added product per block (to cover the remaining 10 blocks under TRESP).

T + 35 Months 4% 24 Final Reporting – Year 3 : Acceptance draft & final consolidated report, sustainability & exit plan, Knowledge Management reports, case studies, success stories, videos; final training completion summary. T + 36 Months 4% Total -Year 3 40% Note: Each Deliverable mentioned above will be considered completed when the DoA/ DoH clears the deliverable.

If no response is received by the TSA from the DoA/ DoH within 15 working days of submission of the report by the TSA, then, it may be presumed that the same is accepted by the DoA/ DoH. 2. Payments shall be released upon formal approval of deliverables by the Co-Project Director, Agri-Horti PIU, TRESP. Statutory taxes such as GST shall be paid as per applicable law.

The time period for the services will be 36 months (3 years) , which may be extended for another year, subject to the requirement, availability of budget and satisfactory performance of the agency, with the mutual consent of both the parties.

Short-listing Criteria The selection of the consulting firm shall be carried out under the Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method, in accordance with the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (July 2016, revised 2020). Qualification Criteria: Sl. No.

Criteria Supporting Documents 1 The applicant (firm) should have completed at least one similar assignment in the last three (3) financial years i.e. 2022-23 to 2024-25. Complete details for each such assignment. 2 The applicant (firm) should have a minimum average annual turnover of Rs. 50,00,000/- (Rupees Fifty Lakh only) in any three (3) financial years out of the last five (5) i.e.

FY 2020–21 to 2024–25 from consultancy fees only, duly certified by a statutory auditor/Chartered Accountant. Turnover Certificate certified by a Chartered Accountant. Submission of EOIs Interested consulting firms must submit their EOIs online through the e-procurement portal: https://tripuratenders.gov.in 24x7, no later than 15th November, 2025 & 15:00, IST .

The system will not allow submission after the scheduled deadline. Further information can be obtained at the undersigned address during office hours (10:00 to 17:00 IST) on any working day before the last date of submission. (Dipak Kr. Das) Director, Horti. & Soil Conservation (Co. Project Director. Agri. Horti.

PIU, TRESP Government of Tripura, Agartala Agency: Agriculture Department Procurement method: Quality And Cost-Based Selection Notice type: Request for Expression of Interest Status: Published Value: 530000.0 USD