TORs

1. Background and Introduction   

Accelerate Prosperity (AP) is a joint initiative of the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) and Industrial Promotion Services (IPS) of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) in Central and South Asia. It aspires to work towards a society that is powered by innovative and successful young entrepreneurs. Through its services, AP extends tailored training, advice, and technical assistance to aspiring and existing entrepreneurs to help them launch or expand their innovative business ventures. It also extends tailored financing to start- ups and SGBs to help them unlock external investments by improving their bankability and investment readiness. 

AP’s approach combines financial and non-financial support, recognizing that standalone business development services and traditional bank financing are inadequate to catalyze early-stage and growth stage businesses, and deliver job creation in fragile and emerging markets, particularly for marginalized groups in rural areas. 

This research study is funded by the European Union under Energy Plus, a programme that seeks to promote renewable energy solutions, enhance natural resources management, and support rural communities to build climate resilience. This study particularly aims to strengthen AP’s ability to provide tailored training, advisory, and investment support to early-stage and growth-stage businesses in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. AP plays a pivotal role in reaching and strengthening enterprises and enterprise groups in the sector, directly contributing to the livelihood of local communities. The study will provide a detailed market assessment, adding to AP’s understanding and supporting the efforts to guide agriculture entrepreneurs in implementing innovative and sustainable solutions. 

2. Scope of Work 

The study will focus on the following main domains, 

2.1. Global and National Trends 

• Conduct a general review of global and national trends in agriculture and smart farming technologies. This review will provide a broader perspective and a snapshot of trends, which will then be applied to the specific landscape of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. The following key points will form the background of the study:  

• Technological advancements (e.g., IoT, AI, drones, precision farming) 

• Sustainable practices and environmental impacts 

• Economic impacts and market dynamics 

• Contextually relevant case studies of successful smart farming implementations that have potential to be replicated in the GBC landscape 

• Key technological developments and adoptions being made in Pakistan 

• Market dynamics and economic contributions 

• Successful case studies within Pakistan or comparable markets that can relate and/or contribute to business initiatives on GBC 

• Identify key patterns and developments in the global and national agriculture and smart farming sectors. 

• Compare and contrast these trends to highlight unique aspects and commonalities.  

2.2. Regional Context: Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral 

• Perform both secondary and primary data collection to gather and analyze regional landscape including current infrastructure and technology adoption, current agriculture practices, and weather conditions. 

• Perform a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) specific to the agriculture sector in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. 

• Analyze the market dynamics and economic contributions within the agriculture sector of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. Identify and profile influential local players, such as agricultural cooperatives, innovative farmers, local agribusinesses, and NGOs, who are driving these dynamics and significantly enhancing the broader agricultural landscape. 

• Identify region-specific potential for commercializing a solution focused on improving water efficiency techniques for irrigation, particularly on larger-scale farms utilizing smart farming technologies. The solution should also consider the production of high-value cash crops best suited to the soil composition, hydrology, climate conditions, and local ecosystems of each specified districts in Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral. Also, consider challenges related to supply chain, operations, power availability, and other external factors. 

• Conduct secondary and primary market analysis on both the supply and demand sides, including global, national, and local demand for agricultural products that can potentially be produced commercially in the regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral with high cash value. Assess the region’s capacity to produce certain high-value cash crops and identify realistic smart farming techniques that can be integrated to support commercialization. 

• 2-3 case studies of successful businesses of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral in the specified sector in growth stage. Specifying their journey, business model, adaptations, and key challenges.  

• Conduct a gap analysis to identify discrepancies between current practices and potential advancements 

• Document key challenges faced by local enterprises working in the agriculture sector and highlight potential opportunities for local businesses. 

The consultancy firm /entity is required to submit a detailed technical proposal that demonstrates their understanding of this assignment, as outlined in the terms of reference. The proposal must include a comprehensive research methodology, with a sampling approach and sample size that are justified based on initial preliminary analysis. This approach should ensure that the sample is representative and captures the diversity of insights necessary to reflect the agricultural sector and market challenges in the Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral regions, both holistically and within specific districts.  

The research will be conducted using a mixed-method approach, with a focus on primary data collection supplemented by secondary data sources. The study will consist of 70% primary research and 30% secondary research. 

3.1.  Secondary Research (30%) 

Literature Review: 

• Review existing global, national, and regional literature on agriculture and smart farming. 

• Collect data from existing reports, publications, market analyses, and case studies relevant to the Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral context.

Contextualization: 

• Utilize secondary data to provide context for the primary research findings, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the global and local trends in agriculture and smart farming. 

3.2. Primary Research (70%) 

Data Collection: 

• Conduct surveys, interviews, and focus groups with key stakeholders, including farmers, local businesses, cooperatives, and government agencies in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. 

• Gather firsthand insights into the current agricultural practices, challenges, opportunities, and the adoption of smart farming technologies. 

Data Analysis: 

• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data from primary sources to evaluate the current landscape and potential for smart farming. 

3.3. Synthesis and Reporting 

• Integrate findings from both primary and secondary research to create a holistic view of the agriculture and smart farming landscape in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. 

• Prepare a detailed report, supplemented by data and graphs, to present the findings and recommendations to AP. 

3.4. Case Studies 

• Identify and document case studies of successful businesses in the region, focusing on their journey, business model adaptations, and challenges faced. 

• Inception Report – Including review of existing literature, methodology, instruments for data collection 

• Detailed Report: Present detailed sections covering all aspects of the study, supported by data, graphs, and case studies and recommendations for AP. 

• Presentation: Prepare a presentation summarizing the key findings and recommendations for stakeholders. 

• Appendices: Include supplementary information, such as survey questionnaires, interview guides, and additional data tables. 

• 1-day workshop to present report findings to AP team. 

 

The timeline for completion of the engagements is expected to be 3 months from the start. 

Payment will be made after submission of required deliverables as per the below schedule: