ARIAS SOCIETY

Assam Rural Infrastructure and Agricultural Services Society (ARIASS)

(An Autonomous Body of the Govt. of Assam)
Project Coordination Unit (PCU) of the World Bank Financed
Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project (APART)
Agriculture complex, Khanapara, G.S. Road, Guwahati-781022 (Assam, India)
Tel: +91 361-2332125; Fax: +91 361-2332564; website: www.arias.in; email [email protected]

Draft Terms of Reference (ToR)

For Agri Business Experts (APEs) to be positioned in the Directorate of
Agriculture

(A) BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

1. The Government of Assam (GoA) through Government of India (GoI) has received a loan from the World Bank
(IBRD: International Bank for Re-construction and Development) for the Assam Agribusiness and Rural
Transformation Project (APART). The Project Development Objective (PDO) of APART is to “add value and
improve resilience of selected agri value chains focusing on smallholder farmers and agro-entrepreneurs in
targeted districts of Assam”. The Assam Rural Infrastructure and Agricultural Services (ARIAS) Society, an
autonomous body of the Govt. of Assam, is the apex coordinating and monitoring agency for the Project while
the Directorate of Agriculture is an important Operational Project Implementation Unit (OPIU) of the project
under the Department of Agriculture, GoA. ARIAS Society now wishes to hire two Agri Business Experts out of
the loan proceeds to be positioned in the Directorate of Agriculture at Guwahati under APART as per the
terms given hereunder.
2. The APART will achieve the PDO by: (i) promoting investments in agri-enterprises, reducing the business and
transaction costs, facilitating access to finance for agribusiness entrepreneurs, and, where appropriate, push
for process, regulatory and/or policy change; (ii) supporting the development of a modern agri supply chain;
improved information communication technologies (ICT) based farm information and intelligence services,
and alternative marketing channels; and (iii) improving producers’ access to knowledge, technologies and
infrastructure so that they are able to respond to market opportunities and climate variability. To achieve the
PDO, the project will adopt clusters (production and enterprise) and value chain approach. The project is
being implemented in 16 districts1 (undivided as of 1st April, 2016) of Assam.
3. There are four components of APART: The first component is Enabling Agri Enterprise Development,
with sub components being (i) enhancing state capacity to attract private investments, (ii) Setting up an
Agribusiness Enterprise Development and Promotion Facility (EDPF) (iii) Agribusiness Investment Fund
(AIF) support (iv) establishing stewardship councils. The second component is Facilitating Agro Cluster
Development with subcomponents being- (i) support establishment of cluster level Industry Associations
(IAs), (ii) supply chain support. The third component is Fostering Market Led Production and Resilience
Enhancement with sub components being (i) promoting climate resilient technologies and their adoption (ii)
facilitating market linkages through market intelligence and product aggregation (iii) facilitating access to and
responsible use of financial services. The fourth component is project Management, Monitoring &
Learning.
4. Component-C of APART aims at enabling producers of the priority value chains, in the targeted clusters, to
take advantage of the rapidly changing market demand, and enhance resilience of agriculture production
systems for increasing production and managing risks associated with climate change. This would be
achieved by: (i) improvements in production technologies and management practices through climate
resilient solutions; (ii) facilitation of collective-action by producers by supporting the establishment of farmer
producer organizations (FPOs); (iii) improving value realization at the farm level through improved cleaning,
grading and packing of produce through Common Service Centers (CSCs) managed by FPOs; (iv) facilitation of
market linkages through market information and intelligence; and (v) facilitating access to a broad set of
financial services and their responsible use by producers. The component will adopt a cluster based value-
chain approach for providing support to producers for sustainably increasing their production and
productivity; linking the producers with emerging supply chains, modernized wholesale agriculture markets
and warehouses, under component B; and facilitating partnership opportunities with strategic and potential
anchor and leading firms, supported under Component A.

1 Nagaon, Sonitpur, Barpeta, Karbi Anglong, Kamrup, Dhubri, Golaghat, Kokrajhar, Lakhimpur, Darrang, Cachar, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Goalpara,

Page 1 of 4
Morigaon and Nalbari

Page 2 of 4
(B) OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT & SCOPE
5. The ABE will report to the Director, Agriculture and will support the Directorate in meeting the objectives
of the Project as per Project Implementation Plan (PIP), Annual Work Plans (AWPs). In particular the
responsibilities of the ABEs include the following:
a) Liaise and coordinate with the District Agriculture Marketing Coordinators (DAMCs) and District
Horticulture Coordinators (DHCs) as the case may be for smooth implementation of the project
activities at District level.
b) ABEs will lead the Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) initiative of the project at State level. They will
coordinate closely with the FPO service provider hired by the project to ensure smooth implementation
of the FPO sub-component of APART.
c) Support on alternative marketing of agri/horti produce including by FPCs: At present most of the
wholesale trade in fresh/raw agri- horti commodities happens through weekly rural haats, farm gate
sales and through regulated markets. The ABEs would support the Directorates of Agriculture and
Horticulture as the case may be in devising and implementing the strategies on providing alternative
marketing channels to FPCs and other farmer groups, as well as individual farmers in the project in
accessing alternative marketing channels for their produce targeted at better realization.
d) Liaising and Coordination with international agencies/ CG Centres: The project engaged the
services of International agencies/ Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)
centres for technical assistance in various value chains eg. International Rice Research Institute (IRRI),
International Potato Centre (CIP) and World Vegetable Centre (WVC). The ABEs shall liaise and
coordinate with these agencies for smooth conduct of project activities, particularly from an agri
business view point. In addition, Assam Agricultural University is also an implementing partner in the
project and carries out the project activities through a network of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs),
Regional Agricultural Research Stations (RARSs) etc. The ABEs will closely coordinate with AAU & its
stations on project activities.
e) Provide strategic guidance to the project in the area of agribusiness and value chain development
including identification of focus areas for intervention; and identifying and addressing the needs that
are emerging from high value agriculture (including horticulture) of the state.
f) Coordinate and work closely with the other components and sub-components of the project i.e. A-1
(Enhancing state capacity to attract private investments- in the agribusiness sector of the State), A-2
(Enterprise Development and Promotion Facility), A-3 (Agribusiness Investment Fund), A-4
(Stewardship Councils), B-1 (Enterprise Clusters), B-2(particularly markets and warehouses including
the electronic negotiable warehouse receipt system).
g) The ABEs shall also maintain close coordination with the Market Intelligence Cell (MIC) being set up in
the Assam State Agricultural Marketing Board (ASAMB) under the Project. ABEs shall help in better
dissemination of market/weather advisories and forecasts etc to farmers and other value chain players
as well as their market information and intelligence need assessment under the Project.
h) Maintain close coordination and liaison with the leading agribusiness industries/ entrepreneurs
including food processors of the State and exploring opportunities for their linkages in the project
particularly with the FPOs and Common Service Centres (aggregation and primary processing hubs)
being set up by the FPOs, for bulk buying of agri produce, raw material for processing etc.
i) Establish linkages with support services providers to APART value chains like banks & other financial
institutions, transporters, freight operators, warehouse/ cold store owners, packaging material
suppliers, service providers etc.
j) Working closely with the Project consultants eg. CSC/FPO service provider, agency hired under the
access to and responsible use of financial services sub-component, EDPF, Agribusiness Investment
Fund Manager, Technical Assistance firm for Assam Bureau of Investment Promotion (ABIP), Cluster
Development Technical Agency (CDTA), M&E Agency etc.
k) To liaise with various ministries, departments of Government of India and GoA for leveraging and
convergence with various Govt. schemes with that of APART and also ensure that there is no duplicity
with other schemes/ programs.
l) Training and Capacity Building: ABEs shall provide need based training in the broad area of
agribusiness management to the project staff, service provider staff at both state and district level. They
will also be instrumental in preparation of training materials/ modules etc and updating the same as
per requirement.
m) To work in close coordination and guidance/advisory of the Project Coordination Unit (PCU) of ARIAS

Page 3 of 4
 Society and be in touch with ARIAS Society experts on project matters concerning agribusiness.
n) Documenting success stories, case studies, innovative business models and disseminating at various
forums as directed.
o) Any other related task assigned by the Director-Agriculture as the case may be.
p) Travel Requirements: The ABEs may be required to undertake field-visits and tours to project sites,
concerned central and state ministries, departments and agencies with the approval of the reporting officer.
(C) QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, SKILLSET, AND AGE ETC.

6. Educational Qualifications: The ABE should hold a Bachelors degree in Agriculture/Horticulture

followed by a Post-Graduate diploma/ degree (of minimum two years duration) in Business
Administration/ Marketing/ Agribusiness/ Economics or a closely related field from any recognized
university/ Institution.
7. Working Experience: ABE must possess at least two years of professional experience in Agri Business
Management/ Agricultural Marketing/ Agri Value Chain Development/ Agri enterprise development or
similar activities in any public/private sector organization.
8. Computer Skills & Language: The ABE must have proficiency in the use of Internet based applications,
Graphics, MS Word, MS Excel and MS Power Point and other related applications.
9. Language: Fluency in English & Hindi. Candidates with knowledge of local language will be preferred.
10. Age: Age of the candidate should not be more than 50 years as on 1st January, 2019.
(D) DURATION OF CONTRACT, NOTICE PERIOD ETC.
11. The tenure of ABEs is intended for the entire duration of APART and co-terminus with the project period of
APART. However, continuity of the ABE beyond one (1) year from the date of signing the agreement will
depend upon his/her performance. The decision of the Director, Agriculture shall be final and binding in
this regard as the case may be. The contract management shall be done as per the prevailing project rules.

12. The contract with ABE may be terminated by either side at any point of time during the contractual period
by serving a 30 days’ notice without assigning any reason and without thereby incurring any liability to the
Govt. of Assam/ PCU/ ARIAS Society/Department of Agriculture/ Directorate of Agriculture. The
assignment is purely contractual in nature and shall not, under any circumstance, be extended beyond the
APART’s closing date. The Govt. of Assam/ PCU/ ARIAS Society/Department of Agriculture/ Directorate of
Agriculture shall not undertake any responsibility for subsequent deployment of the incumbent.

13. The ABE shall not assign or sub-contract, in whole or in part, his/her obligations to perform under this ToR,
except with the reporting officer’s prior written consent. The ABE will have to serve the assigned office on
full time basis under overall command of Director- Agriculture and provide services from the concerned
Directorate’s office. The resignation/termination shall be as per prevailing project rules.
(E) REMUNERATION, PAYMENT TERMS AND LEAVE ETC.
14. Depending on the qualifications, experience, competencies, recent remuneration, etc. of the candidate, the
consolidated annual Cost to Project (CTP) for the ABE will be in the range between Rs.6.00 lakh to
Rs.12.00 lakh per year. However, in case the selected candidate’s current remuneration or CTC with 30%
enhancement comes below Rs.6.00 lakh/year, the lower remuneration will be offered. The annual CTP shall
be inclusive of remuneration, performance-linked-incentive, communication allowance, health/service
related allowance, all taxes, cost of accommodation and food at Guwahati, conveyance to attend the
Directorate office, etc. The CTP may be enhanced on an Annual Basis, based on ABE’s performance and
prevailing project rules.

15. The remuneration will be given in equal monthly installments and the Performance-Linked-Incentive (PLI)
will be given quarterly based on the performance and achievement against the mutually agreed deliverables
by the ABE. Taxes as applicable shall be dealt with as per applicable laws.

16. Travelling, Boarding, Lodging and Food expenses for approved official tours outside Guwahati will be
reimbursed as per the prevailing project rules.

17. The provisions of leave would be as per prevailing project rules.

Page 4 of 4
 18. No house rent allowance or any other allowance shall be paid by the Project. No other payment whatsoever
(except reimbursement of official travelling expenses) shall be made, except as agreed with the ABE by the
Project.
(E) REPORTING AND PERFORMANCE REVIEW
19. The ABE will report to the Director- Agriculture on a day-to-day basis. Quarterly/Half yearly/Annual
performance review will be done by the Reporting officer.

(F) FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED TO ABEs

20. The ABEs will be given access to all documents, reports, correspondence, contacts available with the
concerned Directorate and any other information as deemed necessary for smooth accomplishments of
tasks assigned. The ABE will be provided with one office cubicle/workstation in the Directorate along with
computer, printer, computer/office consumables, and internet access. The ABE however will not be provided
with any clerical assistance.
Note: This is a draft ToR and the Director, Agriculture/SPD, ARIAS Society reserves the right to change, update or modify this ToR
at any stage till recruitment process is completed.

*****

Page 5 of 4