Consultancy: Economic feasibility study to support the Kuwait Enhanced Protected Agriculture (KEPA) initiative

The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture(ICBA) is an international, non-profit agricultural research center established in 1999 through the visionary leadership of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Fund, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), and the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). ICBA is a unique applied agricultural research center in the world that is focused on marginal areas where an estimated 1.7 billion people live. It identifies, tests and introduces resource-efficient, climate-smart crops and technologies that are best suited to different regions affected by salinity, water scarcity and drought. Through its work, ICBA helps to improve food security and livelihoods for some of the poorest rural communities around the world. ICBA is an equal opportunity employer and appoints qualified staff regardless of race, creed, color, age, gender, religion or national origin. We demonstrate our commitment to each member of our team through a competitive benefits package designed to assist our employees to cover their needs and the needs of their immediate family members.

Job Summary

The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), in collaboration with the Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAF), proposes to implement the Kuwait Enhanced Protected Agriculture (KEPA) initiative in order to enhance local food production in support of the food security and food sovereignty strategy of the Government of Kuwait. KEPA will promote in Kuwait a water- and energy-efficient protected agriculture system that incorporates advanced hydroponic technologies and photovoltaic energy. It will address a number of challenges currently facing protected agriculture in Kuwait, including the use of greenhouses that were made for cooler climates, excessive use of water and energy, and the overall high cost of production. In addition to engaging large, medium and small-scale farmers, KEPA will introduce small, family-scale, replicable models of the system within some peri-urban communities to demonstrate its efficacy, viability and sustainability, and encourage wide-scale adoption in such communities. The initiative will also establish a center of excellence in the Wafra area, specializing in hydroponic technologies and protected agriculture, which will act as a knowledge hub and a demonstration site for the latest technologies and applications that improve the efficiency of hydroponic horticulture. A model farm for technology transfer will also be established in the Abdally region.

To validate the economic and environmental viability of the proposed KEPA project, ICBA wishes to undertake an economic feasibility study, the scope of which is described below.

Job Responsibilities

The economic feasibility study will determine the viability, cost, and benefits associated with the proposed KEPA project and will include the following:

  • Review and analysis of current protected agriculture practices and systems in Kuwait
  • Economic cost-benefit analysis of the proposed water- and energy-efficient protected agriculture system
  • Comparison of existing systems with the proposed water- and energy-efficient protected agriculture system
  • Elaboration of the requirements for the successful initiation, implementation, and eventual operation and maintenance of the project, including in terms of finance, human resources and skills sets, organizational structure, public sector inputs, infrastructure, support services and equipment
  • Identification of possible barriers to the proposed project (including socio-cultural factors).
  • Financial analysis of the proposed project

Deliverables and Outputs

  • Project cost calculation
  • Long-term cost-benefit analysis of the project
  • Economic feasibility synthesis report

Duration of Assignment

Start date: December 1, 2018

End date: January 15, 2019

Qualifications and Experience
  • Masters degree
Post Date
15 November 2018
Status
Closed
Vacancy Type
Consultancy
Closing Date
27 November 2018
Location
Kuwait
Report To
Dr. Abdelaziz Hirich
Job Number
None