Individual Consultancy to Conduct Research on Agricultural Input Retailers in Myanmar
Background and Rationale
Agricultural input retailers play a vital role in Myanmarโs agri-food system, serving as the primary source of fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, and other essential inputs for millions of farmers. The availability, affordability, and quality of these inputs directly influence farm-level productivity and, in turn, affect national food security and rural livelihoods. Disruptions in the input retail sectorโwhether due to economic shocks, supply chain issues, or conflictโcan therefore have far-reaching consequences across the agricultural value chain.
Myanmarโs input retail sector has faced growing challenges in recent years due to political instability, economic volatility, and climatic disruptions. These factors can limit the ability of retailers to source and distribute agricultural inputs, leading to shortages, rising prices, and reduced accessibility for farmers.
To better understand and respond to these challenges, a series of monitoring surveys have been conducted with agricultural input retailers since 2020. These surveys have provided valuable insights into market conditions and retailer behavior over time. Continued monitoring is essential to track changes in the health of the sector, identify emerging risks, and inform timely interventions to sustain agricultural productivity and safeguard food systems.
Objectives and Scope of Work
The objective of this consultancy is to lead the implementation of the next round of the agricultural input retailer survey in Myanmar. The consultant will be responsible for overseeing all stages of the research process, from data collection through to analysis and dissemination.
Specifically, the consultant will:
Finalize and adapt the survey instrument, building on previous rounds to ensure relevance and comparability.
Coordinate and supervise data collection activities, ensuring high data quality.
Supervise data cleaning to ensure the final dataset meets analytical standards.
Conduct in-depth analysis of the data to identify key patterns and trends.
Prepare a concise, policy-relevant research note synthesizing the main findings.
If requested, present key findings at a webinar to relevant stakeholders.
The research note will focus on the following areas:
Disruptions in the input sector.
Changes in credit to both loans received and credit extended to farmers.
Shifts in sales quantities and prices of key agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides.
Trends in services offered by input retailers over the past decade.
Prevalence and impact of shocks affecting input retailers.
Additionally, the consultant will support the completion of other on-going research tasks related to the agrifood system in Myanmar on a limited basis. The consultant is expected to engage closely with the IFPRI Project Manager.
Qualifications and Skills
Required:
PhD in Agricultural Economics, Development Economics, or a related field.
At least 5 years of research experience on agriculture in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Demonstrated experience leading the implementation of phone-based surveys.
Proficiency in data analysis software such as Stata, and survey collection tools such as SurveyCTO.
Proficiency in English, including strong analytical and writing skills.
Proven ability to analyze quantitative data and produce policy-relevant research outputs.
Excellent communication, time management, and relationship management skills.
Preferred:
Prior experience working on Myanmar.
Research experience related to agricultural input markets, including seeds, fertilizers, and agro-chemicals.
Familiarity with panel survey datasets and longitudinal analysis.
Proficiency in data analysis software such as Stata, and survey collection tools such as SurveyCTO
Experience presenting research findings to non-technical audiences.
Timeline
The consultancy is expected to begin in mid-July 2025 and conclude by mid-September 2025, for a total duration of approximately two months. The agricultural input retailer survey will be implemented in August 2025, with preparatory workโincluding survey finalization and coordination with the implementing partnerโconducted in July, and analysis and write-up finalized in September.
Proposed Deliverables
Finalized survey instrument adapted from previous rounds.
Cleaned dataset suitable for analysis.
Research note summarizing key findings from the survey.
Presentation slides summarizing key findings for use in stakeholder dissemination.
Presentation of findings at a webinar (if requested).
Submission Requirements
Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting relevant qualifications and experience.
A one-page proposal outlining the consultantโs suitability for the assignment, proposed approach and timeline (mid-July to mid-September 2025), and daily rate in USD.