TERMS OF REFERENCE
CONSULTANCY TO DEVELOP A POLICY BRIEF ON FARMER-MANAGED SEED SYSTEMS
GENERAL INFORMATION
Contract Type: Individual Consultancy
Duration: 90 working Days (3 months)
Expected start Date: December 2025
Application Deadline: 26 November 2026
INTRODUCTION
Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre (FPC) is registered under the Zimbabwe Institute of Permaculture (ZIP) as a local Private Voluntary Organization (PVO number 12/92. FPC was established in 1988 as an organization pioneering climate-sensitive multifunctional agriculture while lobbying for the recognition of Permaculture and Agroecology practices in the policy framework. Since its inception, the centre has paved the path for food, nutrition, and income security through sustainable land use management. Its development intervention is characterized by skills training in sustainable agricultural methodologies, demonstrating the ecological and economic viability of Agroecology and sustainable conservation practices, creation, enhancement, and facilitation of market opportunities for farmers’ organic produce.
BACKGROUND OF THE ASSIGNMENT
Smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe rely heavily on Farmer Managed Seed Systems (FMSS) for their seed supply. Estimates suggest that 80-95% of the seeds planted by these farmers, particularly for traditional crops, come from on-farm saving, exchange, and local markets. FMSS are vital because they maintain a wealth of local landraces and neglected and underutilised crops, which are crucial for dietary diversity and nutrition. Seeds developed and selected by farmers over generations are inherently locally adapted to specific microclimates and soil, which is essential in the face of increasing climate variability in Zimbabwe. FMSS acts as a crucial safety net, providing low-cost or free access to seed for resource-poor farmers who often cannot afford the recurrent purchase of high-cost, imported, formal-sector hybrid seeds and their accompanying input packages.
Despite their vital role, national policies and institutional support for the farmer-managed seed supply system are weak in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe seed production, processing, and marketing are governed by the Seed Act and its Seed Certification Scheme Notice (2000), the seed regulations of 1971, and the Plant Breeders Act (chapter 18:16). The legislative frameworks, however, often prioritise the formal seed sector (seed companies, certified seeds) for major commercial crops like hybrid maize. Moreso, Zimbabwe has not yet developed a Farmers’ Rights Framework to domesticate the provisions of International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA). All this, among other legislation gaps, has led to FMSS practices being undermined or lacking legal recognition, limiting support and investment in community-based/farmer-managed initiatives.
There is a need to move towards a pluralistic seed system approach that formally acknowledges and supports the synergy between the formal and farmer-managed seed systems, aligning with Zimbabwe’s National Agriculture Policy Framework (NAPF 2019–2030) and international commitments like the ITPGRFA. Several initiatives have been implemented by civil society to promote and support FMSS, but to date, there has been limited coordination between these and very little attempt to document and share evidence with a view to influencing public policy. Given this context, the consultant is expected to review the existing policy and regulatory environment in Zimbabwe and formulate clear, evidence-based recommendations to strengthen and integrate FMSS to contribute to national food security, climate resilience, and the right to seed.
OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The overall objective of the assignment is to develop a concise, user-friendly, and evidence-based Policy Brief for policymakers, development partners, and civil society, outlining clear policy options for the legal recognition of Farmer Managed Seed Systems in Zimbabwe. This will be guided by the need to.
- To review existing laws, regulations, legislation, and policies governing/ related to farmer-managed food systems in Zimbabwe. (Identify the current state, opportunities, and constraints placed on FMSS by Zimbabwe’s national seed legislation and other relevant agricultural and trade policies.)
- To document the role of FMSS in climate adaptation and ensuring the right to household food and nutrition security in Zimbabwe.
- To give actionable recommendations, best practices, and advocacy actions for the recognition of farmer-managed seed system in the relevant policy frameworks in Zimbabwe.
SCOPE OF WORK
- Comprehensive review of national policies, international instruments, and regulatory environment, focusing specifically on how they impact FMSS.
- Gather and synthesize evidence from both secondary and primary data sources to build a strong evidence base for the policy brief.
- Undertake Stakeholder engagement and validation to ensure the policy brief is grounded in local realities and secures a broad consensus.
KEY DELIVERABLES
- Inception Report
- Draft Policy Brief
- Final Policy Brief and Concise Presentation
QUALIFICATION OF A CONSULTANT
It is envisaged that the successful consultant should possess the following:
- Knowledge of the Zimbabwean farmer-managed seed systems, laws, and policies is a must.
- Master’s degree in agriculture, Agroecology, Food Security, or related
- A PhD will be an added advantage.
- 5 or more years of experience, preferably
- Strong analytical, quantitative, and qualitative research skills
HOW TO APPLY
Individual consultants who meet the criteria to submit their application by emailing the following documents to applications@fambidzanai.org.zw, ensuring beaven@fambidzanai.org.zw and jerry@fambidzanai.org.zw are copied (CC’d).
- Technical proposal (clearly highlighting understanding of ToR and methodology) and proposed budget (single PDF document-Max 7 pages)
- Detailed CVs showing relevant experience
The application should be clearly marked ‘SEED SYSTEMS CONSULTANCY’ in the email subject line. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
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