TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)

1)         Baseline Household Socio-Economic and Gender Assessment (October-November, 2025)

2)         Baseline Survey on Current Agricultural Practices (October-November, 2025)

3)         Baseline Survey to Assess the Current Usage Levels of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) among Farmers (October-November, 2025)

4)         Annual Socio-Economic and Gender Impact Survey (February 2026)

1. Introduction

Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, Pakistan is a non-profit development organization working in Pakistan to improve livelihoods, promote sustainable agriculture, support climate resilience, enhance gender equity, and strengthen rural communities. Helvetas is implementing the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) Project in Tehsil Chichawatni, District Sahiwal, aiming to promote sustainable cotton production through improved farm practices, reduced chemical usage, and empowerment of farming communities — especially women farmers.

The project currently works with 200 Learning Groups (LGs) distributed across two Producer Units (PUs), engaging a total of 5,801 farmers, of which 735 are female farmers. Through capacity building, awareness campaigns, and field-level interventions, the project seeks to enhance cotton productivity, improve soil health, and ensure social and environmental sustainability in line with the Better Cotton Principles and Criteria (P&C).

As part of the project’s framework, Helvetas intends to conduct three baseline studies and one end-line (impact) survey to generate robust data that will guide project implementation and measure outcomes over time.

2. Objectives of the Studies

2.1 Baseline Household Socio-Economic and Gender Assessment

To establish a benchmark understanding of the socio-economic conditions, livelihood sources, gender roles, decision-making dynamics, and access to services among cotton-farming households in the project area.

Specific objectives:

• Assess household demographics, education, landholding, and income sources.
• Understand gender roles, workload distribution, and decision-making power in farming and household contexts.
• Examine access to resources, inputs, and extension services by male and female farmers.
• Provide baseline indicators for future comparison during the Annual Impact Survey.

2.2 Baseline Survey on Current Agricultural Practices

To identify and document the existing agricultural practices, production methods, and input use by farmers prior to the implementation of improved sustainable practices under the Better Cotton Project.

Specific objectives:

• Assess current crop management, irrigation, and soil health practices.
• Identify farmers’ current knowledge and adoption of Better Cotton principles.
• Evaluate use of fertilizers, pest control, and post-harvest handling practices.
• Identify training and capacity needs to promote climate-resilient farming.

2.3 Baseline Survey to Assess Current Usage Levels of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs)

To assess the types, quantities, and frequency of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) used by farmers, along with their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding pesticide safety and alternatives.

Specific objectives:

• Identify the list and quantity of HHPs being used at farm level.
• Assess farmers’ awareness regarding health and environmental hazards of HHPs.
• Assess awareness of farmers about alternatives of HHPs.
• Evaluate adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) and safer alternatives.
• Establish baseline indicators for reduction in HHP usage over project duration.

2.4 Annual Socio-Economic and Gender Impact Survey (February 2026)

To measure project achievements and impact at the end of the implementation cycle against the baseline benchmarks.

Specific objectives:

• Assess improvements in household income, livelihoods, and farm productivity.
• Measure changes in gender participation, decision-making, and empowerment.
• Assess adoption of sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices.
• Evaluate progress in decent work conditions and social outcomes.

3. Scope of Work

The studies will be conducted in Tehsil Chichawatni, District Sahiwal, covering all 200 Learning Groups under both Producer Units.

The selected firm/consultant will be responsible for:

• Designing and validating survey tools (quantitative and qualitative).
• Conducting household surveys, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews (KIIs).
• Data entry, cleaning, and analysis.
• Report writing and presentation of findings.

4. Methodology

The consultant/firm will propose a detailed and scientifically sound methodology that combines quantitative and qualitative approaches, ensuring representativeness of male and female farmers. The following approach is suggested:

• Desk Review of project documents, training materials, and relevant literature.
• Sampling Design ensuring gender balance and coverage of both PUs.
• Tool Development – household questionnaire, FGDs, KIIs.
• Enumerator Training on data collection protocols, ethics, and gender sensitivity.
• Field Data Collection using structured tools (preferably mobile/tablet-based).
• Data Analysis using standard statistical software (SPSS/STATA/Excel).
• Validation Workshop with Helvetas and BCI teams for feedback.
• Final Report Submission incorporating recommendations for programming.

5. Expected Deliverables

The consultant/firm will deliver the following outputs for each baseline and the annual impact survey:

• Inception Report with detailed methodology, sampling plan, and tools.
• Finalized data collection instruments.
• Clean, validated dataset in Excel/SPSS.
• Draft Report for review.
• Final Baseline/Impact Report with findings, analysis, and recommendations.
• PowerPoint presentation of results to Helvetas-BCI teams.

6. Consultant/Institution Requirements

• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in conducting agricultural, socio-economic, and gender studies.
• Proven track record in pesticide/HHP-related assessments and environmental data collection.
• Demonstrated understanding of cotton value chain and sustainable agriculture practices.
• Experienced team with expertise in gender analysis, data management, and field coordination.
• Strong analytical, writing, and presentation skills in English.

7. Timeline

Each study will follow this general sequence:

Week 1: Inception and tool finalization

Week 2–4: Data collection and field monitoring

Week 5–6: Analysis, report writing, and presentation

8. Budget

The financial proposal should include all costs related to personnel, travel, data collection, data entry, analysis, report writing, and presentation of results. Taxes must be included as per law.

9. Reporting and Coordination

The selected consultant/firm will report directly to the Project Manager, Better Cotton Initiative Project, Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, Pakistan, and will coordinate closely with the Monitoring & Evaluation Officer/Manager for all technical matters and approvals.

10. Submission of Proposals

Interested and qualified firms/consultants should submit:

• Technical proposal (including methodology, sampling plan, work plan, and CVs of key team members).
• Financial proposal (detailed budget).
• Evidence of conducting similar studies (at least two references/reports).

Submit proposals to:

Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, Pakistan

Better Cotton Initiative Project – Chichawatni, District Sahiwal

Email: [email protected]

Deadline: October 20, 2025 by 1700 hrs