Sierra Leone - Beekeeping Junior Researcher

RESEARCH TOPIC: Innovative livelihoods strategies for cashew farmers: a case study of the integration of beekeeping into cashew orchards in Northern Sierra Leone

COOPI | COOPERAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE is an Italian Non-governmental Organization working in humanitarian interventions in Sierra Leone since 1971. COOPI is currently operating within the Pro-Resilience Action Project (ProAct 2015), an EU funded program, which aims to promote agricultural diversification to ensure food security among the most vulnerable farming households in Sierra Leone. COOPI is focussing its action on strengthening cashew cultivation in order to promote income generation activities among target farmers’ beneficiaries.

Within this operative framework, COOPI is inviting proposals for original research/study on integration of beekeeping in cashew farms in Sierra Leone. The main objective of the assignment is to provide a new understanding on how beekeeping can get associated to cashew cultivation and the potential contribution the integration has to enhance livelihoods of smallholder farmers. The study aims to investigate opportunities and challenges associated to beekeeping development within cashew cultivation in Northern districts of Sierra Leone. The study is expected to provide recommendation for COOPI, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security of Sierra Leone (MAFFS) and other stakeholders operative in agriculture development and food security on how integrate honeybee within cashew farming in order to contribute to food security and sustainable livelihoods for disadvantaged farming households.

1. Research Objectives
The key objective of the study is to identify challenges and best practices on integration of beekeeping into cashew orchards (operational research) and highlight cost and benefits from the integration of beekeeping activities in cashew farming (feasibility study).
The specific objectives are the following:

1.1 Operational
Analyse the operational issues related to the integration of beekeeping into cashew farming in the Northern Provinces of Sierra Leone, namely Bombali, Port-Loko and Kambia districts. The analysis is expected to include (but not limited) to environmental context, reliability of procurement and supplies, farmers’ management capacities and technical skills, identification of local best practices, marketing, etc.

1.2 Feasibility Study
It involves an evaluation of costs and potential benefits (direct and indirect), including revenues that the integration of beekeeping activities in cashew farms may (or may not) generate. The outcome of the analysis is expected to advise whether the integration activity is feasible and profitable for cashew farmers in the Northern provinces of Sierra Leone.

2. Research Methodology
The following methodology and research tools will be applied (but not limited to):

2.1 Literature Review
The study will make reference of the existing researches and reports on integration of beekeeping activities within cashew farming in West Africa. Particular reference will be applied on the materials published by Bees for Development, ComCashew (former Competitive Cashew Initiative) and the African Cashew Alliance.

2.2 Interviews with Key Informants and Focus Groups Discussion
The study will include semi-structured interviews methodology. Information on farmers’ perception on beekeeping and cashew farming, its sustainability, honey yields and prices, traditional practices of honey harvesting and processing, disease and treatment.

2.3 Empirical Study at Farm Level
The study will select a sampler of cashew farms that integrate beekeeping activities into cashew orchards. The selected candidate will collect data at farm level and he/she will assess and analyse outputs, constrains and potential developments with the aim to evaluate effects and outcomes of beehives incorporation within cashew orchards. SWOT analysis is expected to contribute to understand the context and potential scenarios of integration of beekeeping activities into cashew farming in Sierra Leone. The study will evaluate potential outcomes in terms of cashew nut production (quality and quantity) as well as the overall enhancement cashew farmers’ livelihoods.

3. Indication for the Application
Researchers at master level with interest and sound experience in implementing research study on beekeeping integration with tropical three crops and related field are encouraged to apply.

The field research in Sierra Leone is expected to start from October 2018 and it will last not less than three months, extendable to six according the work plan development and outcomes.

The research proposal must be composed of the research outline, methodology, timeline.
Interested applicants are expected to send a Letter of Interest before 12 July 2018 to submit research proposal.

https://www.coopi.org/it/posizione-lavorativa.html?id=3181&ln=