Technical Proposal for Consultancy to Develop and Test a Business Model and Governance Structure for iKnowFarm
Not specified |
Job Description
1. Understanding of the ToR Objectives and Scope
The consultancy aims to transition iKnowFarm into a self-sustaining social business by:
Refining monetization strategies (e.g., subscriptions, B2B services, ads).
Co-designing a governance structure aligned with social impact goals.
Piloting and validating scalable business models.
Ensuring stakeholder inclusion (farmers, WHH, PALM Corps, Enabel).
Challenges & Opportunities:
Challenges: Low farmer purchasing power, high competition, donor dependency.
Opportunities: Untapped B2B partnerships, premium content demand, data-driven services.
2. Proposed Methodology
Phase 1: Market Research & Competitive Analysis (20 Days)
Willingness-to-Pay (WTP) Survey:
Design: Mobile-based surveys (USSD/SMS) for rural users; in-app for urban users.
Segments: Smallholders (women/youth), agro-dealers, cooperatives.
Analysis: Price sensitivity tiers (e.g., freemium vs. paid features).
Competitor Benchmarking: Analyze 5+ agri-tech apps (e.g., FarmDrive, Agrippa) for monetization and governance insights.
Partner Mapping: Identify agro-dealers, banks, and insurers for revenue-sharing models.
Phase 2: Business Model Development (10 Days)
Options:
Hybrid Model: Freemium app (basic content free; premium advisory paid).
B2B Data Services: Sell anonymized farmer data to input suppliers/researchers.
Pricing: Tiered subscriptions (e.g., UGX 5,000/month for premium weather alerts).
Phase 3: Governance Design (10 Days)
Structure: Social enterprise hybrid (non-profit Ltd with farmer advisory board).
Workshops: 2 co-design sessions with WHH, PALM Corps, and farmer reps.
Phase 4: Pilot Testing (20 Days)
Pilots:
Model 1: Freemium upsell in Karamoja (high drought-risk area).
Model 2: B2B data partnership with agro-dealer in West Nile.
Metrics: User retention, revenue per 1,000 users, partner ROI.
Phase 5: Sustainability & Investment Readiness (15 Days)
Roadmap: 3-year projections with break-even analysis (2026).
Pitch Deck: Highlight impact metrics (e.g., farmer income uplift) for investors.
3. Work Plan & Timelines
| Deliverable | Timeline | Key Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Inception Report | 10 Days (Mid-July) | Stakeholder mapping, WTP tool finalization |
| Market Assessment | 20 Days (Mid-August) | Survey rollout, competitor analysis |
| Business Model Draft | 10 Days (End August) | Monetization scenarios, pricing workshops |
| Pilot Implementation | 20 Days (Mid-Sept) | Field testing, B2B training |
| Final Report | 15 Days (Mid-Oct) | Pilot results, governance framework, pitch deck |
4. Relevant Experience
Consultant Profile: 8+ years in agri-tech business models (East Africa).
Past Projects:
Designed a subscription model for FarmTrack Kenya (30% uptake).
Advised UGAFOD on farmer cooperative governance.
Samples Attached: FarmTrack business case, UGAFOD governance report.
5. Capacity Building & Sustainability
Training:
B2B negotiation workshops for PALM Corps team.
Farmer-led feedback loops via WhatsApp groups.
Pilot Continuation: Handover monitoring templates to WHH.
Financial Proposal
| Item | Cost (USD) | Justification |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Rate (80 days) | 12,000 | Market-competitive (150/day) |
| Field Visits (4 regions) | 3,000 | Logistics for pilot monitoring |
| Workshops | 2,000 | Materials, venue rentals |
| Total | 17,000 | Aligned with 80-day scope |
Conclusion
This proposal ensures a participatory, data-driven approach to iKnowFarm’s sustainability, with clear milestones and cost-effective field engagement.