Safety and Quality Investment in Livestock (USDA SQIL)
Tbilisi, Georgia
Background: Land O’Lakes’ Venture37 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit helping communities around the world build economies by strengthening agriculture from farm-to-fork, helping businesses grow, and linking farmers to markets. Since our start in 1981, we have been leveraging nearly 100 years of expertise in dairy, animal nutrition, crop inputs and agricultural insights from our close affiliate, Land O’Lakes, Inc., a farmer-owned agribusiness committed to fulfilling its purpose of feeding human progress.
Our team is made up of nearly 350 employees who are committed to market-led approaches, and passionate about collaborating locally to create lasting inclusive economic growth. By unlocking the potential of agriculture for the last 36 years, the lives of more than 3 million people have been transformed through nearly 300 programs in more than 80 countries.
Project Description: The Safety and Quality Investment in Livestock (USDA SQIL) project is an eight-year demand-driven project funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that will improve food safety and quality along Georgia’s dairy and beef value chains. From farm-to-fork, USDA SQIL aims to reduce losses, improve food safety and quality, boost competitiveness, productivity and trade within the Georgian dairy and beef market systems. The project achieves these goals through an integrated approach of expanding market access, improving sanitary standards, strengthening postharvest handling and storage, increasing productivity, improving access to finance, and promoting regulatory reforms.
Purpose and Objectives of the Assignment: Georgia currently has approximately 1 million heads of sheep in the country, of which 80% are local Tushuri breed. The lambing period in Georgia is January and February. Despite 1 million heads of sheep, dairy production is limited in the country and only one type of cheese is produced, Tushuri Guda, which is produced in a traditional method of aging cheese in bags made from sheep leather.
The USDA SQIL project has partnered with one of the largest sheep owners in Georgia to introduce sheep milking equipment and to demonstrate modern production of cheeses and dairy products from sheep milk. The Consultant will provide technical assistance to the private sector partners and advise on the development of a dairy sheep herd and improvements to their sheep farming practices. The Consultant will also provide trainings to local veterinarians and other sheep owners to improve knowledge and understanding of sheep farming practices and breeding soundness examinations to effective proper herd development.
Consultant Tasks: To complete this scope of work, the Consultant is expected to complete the following task:
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Review information on Georgia’s sheep farming industry provided by the project and the Georgian Sheep Breeders Association.
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Gather data on economic model for dual purpose sheep production to better understand the system and develop 5 Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for Georgian sheep production.
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Provide remote assistance in establishment of data to measure KPIs.
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Provide in-country technical assistance on selection criteria of suitable ewes to establishing a milking flock.
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Provide in-country technical assistance on production of hygienic sheep milk, with the use of machine milking.
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Conduct practical training for selection of breeding stock (conducting breeding soundness examination of rams/ewes) and select rams for the mating season. Recommended next steps – selected Vets and Farmers.
- Utilizing the training materials/KPIs, conduct group training to interested sheep owners and veterinarians.
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Develop a series of training materials on:
- Economic model for milking sheep in Georgia.
- Data recording and measurement of Key performance indicators + best practices
- Principles for establishing a milking flock (including breeding soundness for rams and ewes).
- Best practices in sheep dairying to influence KPIs.
- Operation and running of machine milking sheep – SOP.
- Flushing of small ruminants for higher ovulation rate and increase chance of twins.
Deliverables and Timeframe:
Under this scope of work, the consultant is expected to complete the following deliverables:
- Develop Training Materials – KPIs and Key Principles of Sheep Dairying (Remote) – March 20, 2024
- Training of Sheep Farmers, Extension Officers and Veterinarians in Sheep KPIs and Key Principles of Sheep Production (In Country) – March 30, 2024
- Hygienic Sheep Milk Production (In Country) – March 30, 2024
- Development of Milking Sheep Model for Georgia (Remote) – April 10, 2024
- Development of Key Performance indicator & Data Collection (Remote) April 20, 2024
- Final Report, Georgian Sheep Dairy Model & PPT (Remote) – April 30, 2024
Requested Skills and Qualifications: The ideal candidate will present the following skills and qualifications:
- Experience with Dairy sheep and management.
- Previous experience providing training and technical assistance to farmers.
- Prior experience working in emerging economies is preferred.
- Strong communication and presentation skills required.
Travel: Travel will be required to complete the scope of work. The Consultant shall be available to travel for up to two weeks in Georgia during the second half of March. Travel arrangements will be made by Land O’Lakes Venture37 in accordance with Land O’Lakes and USDA guidelines.
Evaluation Criteria: All received complete applications will be evaluated against the following criteria:
- Professional experience in relation to the Scope of Work and the Requested Skills and Qualifications (65%)
- Cost competitiveness and reasonableness of proposed daily rate (35%)
Application Instructions: Interested and qualified applicants should submit their CV and proposed daily rate for completing the scope of work. The final number of days will be agreed upon by Land O’Lakes Venture37 and the selected applicant.