Topic:	Feasibility & Design – Agricultural Cooperative for Moringa (Shu’a) Farmers
Client:	Emirates Nature-WWF
Contact:	Monica Cooney Email: [email protected] Emirates Nature-WWF, UAE

Emirates Nature-WWF seeks a consultant to conduct a feasibility study focused on the ‘Design and Implementation of a Cooperative System Among Moringa Farmers’ in the UAE.

Background and Project Description

Emirates Nature–WWF is a leading local environmental NGO working in association with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), working to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the environment in the UAE and the region.

Aligned with its vision for sustainable livelihoods and nature-based solutions, Emirates Nature–WWF is implementing a landscape-level initiative that supports the cultivation of climate-resilient crops, including Moringa Peregrina. The project aims to play a crucial role in expanding farmers’ current revenue streams by harnessing conservation expertise and the private sector to grow native trees profitably, in support of the UAE government’s goal to build resilient communities across the country. While we have seen successful examples of commercializing Shu’a in Saudi Arabia, the potential within the UAE has been largely untapped.

Moringa not only holds significant nutritional and economic value but also contributes to biodiversity, soil restoration, and carbon sequestration. Moringa trees (Shu’a) are native to the United Arab Emirates and together with local partners, Emirates Nature-WWF has planted more than 3000 new Moringa saplings on 12 local farms. Currently, the project focuses on the regions Masfout, Bithnah and Huwailat, working with local farmers to create more sustainable and profitable pathways by leveraging commercial opportunities from native products.

The next step is to empower smallholder Moringa farmers by identifying the feasibility and steps towards establishing an agricultural cooperative. The hypothesis focuses on the idea that the development of a cooperative system strengthens collaboration across the value chain—from production to processing to market access—while embedding environmental sustainability and social equity principles.

Objectives of the Consultant

The key objectives of this consultancy are as follows:

• Understand the feasibility and mechanisms for developing a Moringa cooperative among smallholder farmers.
• Work with the ENWWF team to engage farmers and relevant stakeholders to understand the appetite and processes for potential development of an agricultural cooperative model around native moringa trees and/or relevant products.
• Propose a cooperative process model including governance, leadership, operational processes, etc. together with Emirates Nature – WWF staff.
• Propose recommendations and outline potential risks and restrictions for farmers.

1. Scope of Work and Activities

The consultant shall perform all the services/ work necessary to fulfil the objectives of the consultancy contract as per the assigned tasks. The work conducted will provide essential information about the opportunities for local farmers to expand existing revenue streams.

Furthermore, these activities will serve as the foundation to expand the network of farmers growing Moringa in the UAE as additional commercialization value will add to the environmental benefits. Additionally, the project will allow other opportunities including exploring networks to support local farmers even further.

This consultancy is divided into the following tasks:

• Task 1: Initial timeline and plan of action.
• Task 2: A feasibility analysis and recommendations to identify (1) the appetite and processes for a cooperative, (2) gaps, risks, and opportunities, (3) optimized market access, and (4) environmental alignment.
• Task 3: Propose processes and overall structure to create a cooperative model including governance, leadership, environmental safeguards, and operational processes.

Task 1: Initial timeline and plan of action

In this task, the consultant will present the plan of action and timeline for the assignment. Items should include (but are not limited to) a work plan, timeline, any relevant frameworks, and methods of analysis.

Task 2: Feasibility report and recommendations

In this task, the consultant will conduct a feasibility study and provide recommendations on how to progress with developing a cooperative for Moringa farmers. Topics must include (but are not limited to) mapping moringa-growing communities in the designated areas (with ENWWF staff), understanding the federal and Emirate-level support, and assessing the current status of farmer groups, associations, and practices.

Activities include but are not limited to:

• Map moringa-growing communities and assess the current status of farmer groups, associations, and practices, in coordination with ENWWF staff
• Identify demand, gaps, and opportunities in cooperation creation, market access, and environmental alignment
• Understand the scope and potential of federal and Emirate- level support. And recommend cooperative structures that comply with local and federal UAE laws
• Analyse legal, policy, environmental, and market frameworks affecting cooperative development and nature-positive farming systems
• Map existing stakeholders, indigenous knowledge systems, financing gaps, and potential off-takers or buyers across the full agribusiness value chain, working with ENWWF staff to build upon existing value chain and market analyses.

The following methods, among others, will be considered to collect the necessary information for the assessment:

• Desktop review
• Relevant benchmark data (e.g., market information and similar cooperatives)
• Relevant best practices from other markets or countries
• Expert and farmer interviews
• Government interviews and research
• Additional information provided by ENWWF upon availability (i.e. test on Moringa oil quality)

This analysis will evaluate current demand and limitations for the cooperative. It will also evaluate if certain regulations and restrictions are in place that might restrict the creation of a cooperative.

Results of this analysis will help to identify optimal conditions to form a cooperative. Those insights will facilitate informed decision-making and assist in developing a more detailed strategy for Moringa farmers, supporting ENWWF Resilient Communities initiatives.

The consultant will share both a draft and final report with project staff, according to a mutually agreed upon timeline.

Task 3: Design of the Cooperative Model

In this task, the consultant will develop a model for the cooperative with below tasks:

• Propose a cooperative model including development, governance, leadership, environmental safeguards, and operational processes
• Identify opportunities for inclusivity of women, youth, and marginalized groups, where relevant
• Prioritise biodiversity and nature-based solution elements into the model, in consultation with ENWWF experts
• Recommend an exit strategy and local ownership mechanisms
• Document lessons learned, success stories, and scalability prospects
• Begin outlining legal, financial, operational, and ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) guidelines.

The following methods, among others, shall be considered to collect the necessary information for the assessment:

• Desktop review
• Other industry examples
• Expert interview

1. Workplan

In its proposal, the consultant is requested to provide a preliminary proposed project workplan covering all the activities, tasks, duration and schedule per task and allotted resources.

It would also include milestones and critical steps requiring input by the project team. Once agreed upon, the plan shall be adopted and shall form the basis for project supervision and monitoring under Task 1.

2. Deliverables and Payment Terms

2.1 Expected Deliverables and Outputs

All deliverables should be delivered in soft copy using standard software packages (Microsoft Office Suite, Apple iWork Suite, etc.) and a PDF format. Copies of research materials and graphics should also be handed out to the EN-WWF project team, where requested and relevant.

During the fulfilment of the assignment, the consultant will ensure regular communication with the EN-WWF project team, according to a mutually agreed upon format and frequency (i.e. – bi-monthly virtual meetings). The consultant will also ensure a timely delivery of expected outputs, regularly informing the project team of the progress as well as any obstacles that might occur. Furthermore, the consultant is expected to provide EN-WWF with progress reports (TBD on timeline) which may be shared externally.

Deliverable	Description	Timeframe	Review & Approvals
Deliverable 1:	Task 1: Initial timeline and plan of action	Due 2 weeks from contract signature	EN-WWF Project Team
Deliverable 2:	Task 2: Feasibility report and recommendations	Unless otherwise agreed Draft due within 4 weeks of contract signature Final report due within 6 weeks of contract signature.	EN-WWF Project Team
Deliverable 3:	Task 3: Design of the Cooperative System	Due within 1 month of Task 2’s completion	EN-WWF Project Team

2.2 Payment Terms

Deliverables of this consultancy follow the table in Section 5.1, unless otherwise discussed and agreed in writing with the EN-WWF project team. Payments will be issued after acceptance by EN-WWF of the invoice submitted by the consultant, upon achievement and approval of deliverables set in the RfP according to the following schedule:

Deliverable	Payment Percentage
Deliverable 1	15%
Deliverable 2	35%
Deliverable 3	50%

  3. Institutional Arrangements

The consultant will work under the general guidance and supervision of project staff. The consultant will ensure regular communication with the EN-WWF project team, according to a mutually agreed upon format and frequency (i.e. – bi-monthly virtual meetings). The consultant will also ensure a timely delivery of expected outputs, regularly informing the project team of the progress as well as any obstacles that might occur. Furthermore, the consultant is expected to provide ENWWF with progress reports (TBD on timeline) which may be shared externally.

4. Requirements for Experience and Qualifications

4.1 Firm Qualification

The consultancy is open for any consultant with qualifications in providing the necessary expertise of developing the commercialization strategy. The consultant should have a minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience.

Consultants interested to apply should have the following minimum qualifications:

• Experience in the past 5 years of cooperative formation, farmer engagement, or sustainable agribusiness development.
• Experience in conducting benchmarks and interviews.
• Technical knowledge of moringa or high-value arid crops
• Demonstrated capacity to integrate environmental safeguards, biodiversity, or nature-based approaches, or experience working alongside experts in this field
• Strong stakeholder engagements skills and cultural awareness
• Familiarity with the UAE regulatory context and/or regional agriculture systems
• Ability and capacity to collaborate with conservation experts, farmers, and the diverse set of other stakeholders that will be involved in this initiative.
• Proficiency in English required. Arabic would be a bonus.