Terms of Reference (TOR) for Organic Training Consultant

Introduction & Background

Founded in 2018, aQysta India Pvt. Ltd. empowers smallholder farmers in North-East India by offering comprehensive support, including resources, technology, and knowledge to help them meet market requirements. The services include training in regenerative agriculture, provision of inputs, assistance with processing facilities, guidance on quality standards, and the creation of market linkages for their produce.

To ensure high-quality produce, improved yields, and sustainable farming livelihoods, we seek to partner with an experienced agency or consultant to build farmer capacity in organic and regenerative agriculture practices, facilitate the transition from conventional farming, and support farmers in the organic certification and compliance process.

Objective

The overall objective of this engagement is to increase the yield of Lakadong turmeric and Ginger while maintaining and enhancing quality through the adoption of organic and regenerative farming methods.

Specific objectives:

  • Training on regenerative and organic agriculture (agro-forestry, inter-cropping, bio-fertilizers)

  • Equip farmer groups with knowledge and skills to transition from conventional to organic farming.

  • Achieving 20% higher yields with focus on quality and sustainability

  • Enable farmers to meet organic certification requirements

  • Establish clear and farmer-friendly SoPs for sustainable Lakadong turmeric and ginger cultivation.

Scope of Work

Training Content Development

●         Assess current farming practices followed by the farmer groups.

●           Design and develop comprehensive training modules covering, but not limited to:

  • Transitioning from conventional to organic farming methods

  • Organic farming principles and best practices

  • Regenerative agriculture (soil health, composting, mulching, crop rotation)

  • Preparation and use of bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides

  • Pest and disease management using natural methods

  • Post-harvest handling to preserve quality and reduce losses

  • Organic certification and compliance process (documentation, inspections, record-keeping)

●           Prepare SoPs for organic cultivation of Lakadong turmeric and ginger.

●           Develop farmer-friendly training materials in relevant local languages (Khasi/Pnar and English), using visual aids for better understanding.

Training Delivery

●           Conduct 7 in-person, decentralized training sessions across the 5 farmer groups in West Jaintia Hills.

●           Emphasize participatory methods and practical demonstrations.

●           Provide guidance on documentation and compliance for organic certification.

Certification Support

●           Provide farmers with step-by-step guidance for obtaining organic certification (NPOP, or other recognized standards).

●           Support with documentation, internal control systems (ICS), and record-keeping.

●           Liaise with certification bodies for audits, ensure compliance, and facilitate integration of NPOP certification with international certifications (e.g., EU Organic) by coordinating with EU-recognized control bodies operating in India.

Monitoring & Reporting

●           Provide detailed reports after each training session (topics covered, attendance, observations, and farmer feedback).

●           Submit a final consolidated report summarizing training impact, adoption of practices, certification process, and recommendations for ongoing improvement.

●           The agency may also be required to carry out other related reporting or documentation tasks, as reasonably requested by aQysta India, to ensure effective monitoring and compliance.

Deliverables

  • Training plan and schedule for the project period.

  • Detailed training modules and SOPs for organic turmeric and ginger cultivation.

  • Farmer training materials (manuals, visual aids) in local languages.

  • Delivery of 7 decentralized training sessions with attendance sheets.

  • Certification compliance documentation and support records.

  • Session-wise reports and final consolidated impact report with yield improvement data.

Timeline

The assignment will run from the date of contract signing until November 2026, with the final consolidated impact report expected to be submitted by January 2027.

Qualifications of Agency/Consultant

  • Demonstrated experience in organic and regenerative agriculture training.

  • Prior work with Lakadong turmeric/ginger or similar spice crops preferred.

  • Proven experience in facilitating organic certification (NPOP, etc.).

  • Ability to design farmer-friendly training content and deliver it in local languages (Pnar, Khasi)

  • Fluency in Pnar, Khasi, and English language, with experience working with smallholder farmer groups in Northeast India as an advantage.

Location

Training sessions will be conducted at farmer organization locations in West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya.

Proposal Submission

We highly encourage all eligible agencies and consultants to apply. Proposals must be submitted in English by email to: chinmoy@aqysta.com             

Each submission should include an Expression of Interest or Cover Letter, a detailed Technical Proposal describing the approach, methodology, and relevant experience, as well as a Financial Proposal outlining all-inclusive costs. Proposals must be submitted in PDF or Word format. If you want to contact us before submitting a proposal, you can reach us at:
Email: chinmoy@aqysta.com
Phone no.: +91 8638253435

The deadline for submission is 20 October 2025