Topic: Agroecology Protocols Development and Implementation in Mountain farms of UAE

Emirates Nature-WWF seeks a consultant to develop and implement Agroecology protocols for the mountain farms of UAE.

 1. 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 initiated a programme for Building Resilient Communities to conserve biodiversity, soilbased traditional farming and heritage in vibrant and sustainable rural communities in the UAE through agroecology principles and practices. The programme assists local communities by promoting regenerative, circular farming which builds the soil, and contributes towards the national goals of water and food security. The project aims to play a crucial role in expanding farmers’ current revenue streams by harnessing conservation expertise, benefiting local ecosystems, and supporting the UAE government’s goal to build resilient rural communities across the country.

The shift toward sustainable agriculture is critical to addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and food security. Agroecology offers a holistic approach that integrates ecological principles into farm design and management, promoting biodiversity, soil health, and efficient resource use.

Emirates Nature-WWF has produced a roadmap to improve the sustainability of rural farms using agroecological principles. This envisages setting up model farms to demonstrate good farming practices, provision of training, and to explore innovations and interventions that could support small-scale farming in the mountains, such as agroecology and climate-smart practices, agritourism, heritage branding, or niche marketing, and native plant cultivation and conservation-linked farming.

The project seeks to develop agroecology protocols for farms integrating sustainable agricultural practices with ecological principles, aiming for both productivity and environmental health.

2. Objectives of the Consultant

The key objectives of this consultancy are as follows:

• Assess current farming systems and practices in the project area.
• Develop tailored agroecology protocols appropriate for local ecological and socioeconomic conditions.
• Build the capacity of farmers and technical teams to implement and monitor these protocols.
• Implement developed protocols on a demonstration farm to showcase their benefits to the local community.
• Design monitoring framework to track sustainability outcomes.

3. 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 those developed protocols to other farms.

The agroecology consultant will support the development and implementation of sustainable, climate-resilient agricultural practices based on agroecological principles. The consultancy aims to improve farm productivity, ecosystem health, and farmer livelihoods while promoting biodiversity and resource efficiency.

Furthermore, these activities will serve as the foundation to expand the implementation of Agroecology protocols to the wider farming community in the UAE. Additionally, the project will allow other opportunities including exploring market access and value chains.

This consultancy is divided into the following tasks:

• Task 1: Initial timeline and plan of action.
• Task 2: Baseline Assessment.
• Task 3: Agroecology Protocols Development.
• Task 4: Training and Knowledge Transfer.
• Task 5: Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.
• Task 6: Implementation of protocols on a demonstration farm.

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: Baseline Assessment

In this task, the consultant will conduct a feasibility study and provide recommendations on how to progress with development of protocols. Topics must include (but are not limited to) mapping farming communities in the designated areas (with EN-WWF staff), understanding the federal and Emirate-level support, and assessing the current farming practices.

Activities include but are not limited to:

• Map farming communities in the project area and assess the current farming system and practices, in coordination with EN-WWF staff.
• Engage with local farmers to gather knowledge and map the current traditional farming practices
• Analyse current practices, soil and water health, crop diversity, pest and sieseases pressures, and land use.
• Identify ecological challenges and opportunities at farm level.

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

• Desktop review
• Relevant benchmark data (e.g., agroecology practices implemented in similar environments)
• Relevant best practices from other communities or countries
• Expert and farmer interviews
• Additional information provided by EN-WWF upon availability

This analysis will evaluate current demand and limitations for implementing agroecology on farms. It will also evaluate whether regulations and restrictions are in place that might restrict implementing some of the protocols.

Results of this analysis will help to identify optimal conditions to develop and implement the protocols. Those insights will facilitate informed decision-making and assist in developing a more detailed strategy for agroecology on wider farms, supporting EN-WWF 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: Agroecology Protocols Development

In this task, the consultant will develop and design practical, locally adapted agroecology protocols, addressing:

• Water Efficiency:
  - Improving water efficiency through modern automated irrigation system 
  - Introducing mulching, conserve water, improve soil fertility, and reduce weed growth. 
  - Water-wise crops and cropping systems with lower water requirement 
  - Treated wastewater use for farming
  
  
• Soil improvement:
  - Regenerative practices including composting, mulching, crop rotation, reduction in agrochemical use etc
  
  
• Agrochemicals reduction:
  - Minimize use of artificial fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides 
  - Biological controls
  - Crop rotation and natural nutrient recycling
  - Integrating livestock for circular nutrient cycling and soil improvements
  - Feasibility for organic certification on mountain farms
  
  
• Biodiversity enhancement:
  - Intercropping 
  - Planting of native trees and shrubs
  - Support for pollinators and honey production 
  
  
• Composting and biochar:
  - Composting organic waste from the farm and homes
  - Production and use of biochar from date palm fronds and other feedstocks 
  
  
• 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 EN-WWF experts 
  
  
• Recommend an exit strategy and local ownership mechanisms
  
  
• Document lessons learned, success stories, and scalability prospects

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

• Desktop review and other industry examples
• Local traditional knowledge and Expert interview

Task 4: Training and Knowledge Transfer

In this task, the consultant has to organize training for local community farmers and farm workers on Agroecology focusing on below:

• Develop user-friendly training materials/manuals
• Conduct on-site workshops for farmers and farm labours

Task 5: Monitoring and Evaluation Framework

In this task consultant has to design indicators and methods which can assess the impact of agroecological protocols on below:

• Soil health
• Water efficiency
• Biodiversity
• Productivity
• Farmer livelihood

Task 6: Implementation of protocols on a demonstration farm

In this task, the consultant has to supervise the implementation of developed Agroecology protocols on a demonstration farm in coordination with EN-WWF field staff taking into consideration below tasks:

• Rapid assessment of the selected farm
• Select appropriate agroecological protocols based on site conditions
• Adapt protocols to fit the farm condition and requirements
• Develop a season-wise implementation plan with timelines
• Design the layout integrating multiple agroecology components
• Prepare infrastructure required for implementing the protocols
• Initiate implementation of protocols as per set timeline
• Set up monitoring tools including but not limited to, soil health tests, yield tracking, biodiversity checks, water use logs
• Capacity building of the on-farm labours
• Prepare M & E framework for the farm to assess the impact of implemented protocols on productivity, resource use, and environmental indicators.
• Prepare technical and summary report for the demonstration farm documenting success stories and challenges

4. 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.

5. Deliverables and Payment Terms

5.1 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 (Detailing methodology, timeline, stakeholder list)	Due 2 weeks from contract signature	EN-WWF Project Team
Deliverable 2:	Task 2: Feasibility and Assesment  Report (Baseline findings and farm evaluations)	Due 4 weeks from contract signature	EN-WWF Project Team
Deliverable 3:	Task 3: Draft Agroecology Protocols and Monitoring framework (Including recommended practices,tools, resources,indicators and data collection tools)	Due within 3 weeks of Task 2’s completion	EN-WWF Project Team
Deliverable 4:	Task 4: Final Protocol Manual with Monitoring framework (Reviewed version with illustrations, ready for field use)	Due within 2 weeks of Task 3’s completion	EN-WWF Project Team
Deliverable 5:	Task 5: Training Workshops (at least one workshop for farm owners and one for on-farm labours)	In parallel with Task 4 (within 2 weeks of Task 3’s completion)	EN-WWF Project Team
Deliverable 6:	Task 6: Implementation of protocols (on 1 identified demonstration farm)	Due within 4 weeks of Task 4’s completion	EN-WWF Project Team

5.2 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 & 2	20%
Deliverable 3 & 4	40%
Deliverable 5 & 6	40%

6. 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 EN-WWF with progress reports (TBD on timeline) which may be shared externally.

7. Requirements for Experience and Qualifications

7.1 Firm Qualification

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

Consultants interested to apply should have the following minimum qualifications:

• Minimum of 5–7 years of practical experience in agroecological or regenerative agriculture systems.
• Experience in conducting benchmarks and interviews.
• Demonstrated knowledge of arid/semi-arid farming systems
• 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.

Contact:
Altaf Habib
Email: [email protected]
Emirates Nature-WWF, UAE