FNQ NRM Ltd trading as Terrain Natural Resource Management Ltd (ACN: ) Invitation to tender for the supply of Training and Extension to

Transcription

1 FNQ NRM Ltd trading as Terrain Natural Resource Management Ltd (ACN: ) Invitation to tender for the supply of Training and Extension to Sugarcane Growers in Queensland Wet Tropics as a component of the Wet Tropics Reef Water Quality Programme 1

2 Contents Contents... 2 Purpose of this document... 3 Budget and timeline... 3 Objective... 3 Background... 3 Coverage for training and extension... 3 Key capabilities... 4 Deliverables... 4 Extension and training for growers receiving grants funding... 4 Extension and Training for growers not receiving grants funding... 5 Reporting to Terrain... 6 Data required... 6 Role of Terrain NRM... 6 Selection criteria... 6 Tender process timeline... 7 Appendix 1 As a guide - Envisaged principles of extension relevant to water quality improvement in sugarcane production in the wet tropics... 9 Appendix 2 Minimum Grower Number Targets for Wet Tropics Training and Extension Programme

3 Purpose of this document This document invites tenders for the supply of a Training and Extension program for sugarcane growers in the Wet Tropics. Budget and timeline The total budget for the training and extension program is $1,811,000 The training and extension program will commence in August 2014 and run until 30 th June Objective Training and extension to be delivered to cane growers and relevant support sections of the sugarcane industry supply chain in the Queensland Wet Tropics as a component of Australian government s Reef Water Quality Programme (hereafter called Wet Tropics Reef Rescue) to support farming practice and water quality improvement. Background Wet Tropics Reef Rescue is funded by the Australian Government under the Caring for our Country for a Sustainable Environment and Sustainable Agriculture. The program seeks to achieve farming practice change to reduce sediment, nutrient and pesticide loads delivered to the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon resulting from agricultural activity in the Wet Tropics region. The adoption of farming practices suited to water quality improvement should complement farm productivity and / or profitability. Training and Extension delivered to growers is seen as essential to aid this process. Coverage for training and extension The training and extension program will be delivered to sugarcane growers. The program will be delivered to a targeted number of growers in each of the production districts in the Wet Tropics region. This area includes the Mossman, Daintree, Barron, Trinity Inlet, Mulgrave, Russell, Johnstone, Tully, Murray, and the Herbert catchments. All areas must be covered, according to the stipulated number of growers. 3

4 Key capabilities The suitable tender will need to demonstrate the ability to coordinate the delivery of training and extension across the specified region, the ability to develop or procure and engage adequate training and extension services and resources of suitable technical standard and methodology, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the program activities. A collaborative approach to training and extension across the region and the industry.. Ability to work with other providers of extension and education including CANEGROWERS Best Management Practice/QDAFF Farm Management System/Reef Water Quality Grant programs) to map activities and seek opportunities for collaboration and cooperation, identifying gaps and opportunities. Ability to implement programs which will ensure the legacy of current funding to influence long term practice change. Deliverables Training and extension to at least 727 growers who are recipients of water quality grants, and growers not receiving water quality grants. Training and extension is delivered over three rounds of project grant funding. Project Rounds are as follows: Round 6 completion by 31 Dec 2014; Round 7 completion by 30 June 2015; Round 8 completion by 30 June For individual growers, the project completion date may carry over to the following round, depending on a one year or two year project term. Extension and training for growers receiving grants funding Delivery of a training and extension plan for specified growers which will assist them meet their contract requirements for Reef Programme Water Quality Grants and to ensure long term practice change and continual improvement. The total number of growers receiving water quality grants has been provided in Appendix Two. These numbers are based on actual grants for 2013/14, estimates based on application numbers for 2014/2105 and estimates for 2015/2016 based on current grants allocations. Training and extension will include: 4

5 An initial meeting to take place with the grower within three months of the commencement of their grant project to identify training and extension needs; With the grower, the identification of, and agreement on, the training and extension needs relevant to their grant contracts, which must include the completion of the relevant farm nutrient and/or weed management plans. If these plans are completed and suitable, training and extension will be developed based on each grower s current practices but focussed on priority practices for water quality improvement. Development of a training and extension plan to meet the growers grant-contract needs; Identification of available and accessible training relevant to the growers contract needs; The procurement of and assistance with access to and /or the delivery of the relevant training; Follow through with one-on one-extension on-farm to assist with practice change adoption; Collection of grower s farm practice data and practice adoption. Extension and Training for growers not receiving grants funding Delivery of a training and extension plan for the specified numbers of growers determined by established catchment priorities for water quality improvement across the region, but with no contract requirements for Reef Water Quality Grants. This will include at a minimum the numbers of growers provided in Appendix Two. The provider will: Select participating growers to maximise the effectiveness of adoption of changed farming systems and water quality outcomes resulting from the training and extension program; Achieve engagement and agreement on the identification of training and extension needs relevant to their current operations, practice levels and aspirations. This will include the completion of a relevant farm management plans. If these plans are completed and suitable, training and extension will be developed based on each grower s current practices, but focussed on priority practices for water quality improvement. Development of a training and extension plan to meet the growers needs; Provision of one-on one-extension on-farm to assist with practice change review and adoption of improved farming practices; 5

6 The procurement of and assistance with access to and /or the delivery of the relevant training, if applicable; Collection of grower s farm practice data and practice adoption. Reporting to Terrain Compilation and maintenance of a regional cross-agency training and extension calendar, to be distributed to regional stakeholders; Reporting to Terrain on growers training and extension progression and growers farm practice levels and adoption of practice change; Liaison with Terrain as required, and participation in and contribution to quarterly program meetings. The quarterly meeting will involve regional and relevant industry stakeholders, provide a forum for discussion and analysis of progress, evaluation and assessment of training and extension effectiveness. Data required Collection and supply of data on grower s training and extension progression in a specified format; Collection and supply of data on grower s farm practice levels and adoption of practice change, in a specified format. Role of Terrain NRM As the program sponsor, Terrain NRM, during the project period, will: have oversight of the program, the aims and objectives, and stipulate delivery timelines, reporting milestones and data templates; collect all relevant and required data from the agent; analyse the data; on the basis of the data analysis, provide feedback on the program to the agent; and, reserve the right to negotiate with the supplier on the adequate delivery of the program. Selection criteria The tenderer in their submission, will demonstrate the following: 6

7 1. a sound understanding of the Wet Tropics region and agriculture, the region s water quality improvement issues and objectives, and sustainable agriculture; 2. the ability to develop or procure and coordinate the delivery of training and extension across the specified region; 3. that the training and extension deliver to growers will be of high technical standard with a focus of water quality; 4. that the program will be collaborative, with involvement and agreement of the industry representative bodies and research organisations, productivity services, and millers; 5. that the program will work with providers of extension and education including where relevant CANEGROWERS Best Management Practice/QDAFF Farm Management System/Wet Tropics Reef Water Quality Grant programs to map activities and seek opportunities for collaboration and cooperation, identifying and rectifying gaps and opportunities; 6. the ability to work with Terrain to evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of the training and extension activities; 7. that the approach provides a legacy of long term practice change and ongoing practice change improvement; 8. that the approach will deliver the best value for money against the program objective; and 9. provide a detailed budget to support deliverables and a list of key personnel and their intended role in this project. Tender Process How to Apply: Tenderers must address the Selection Criteria in this document and submit their tender via Tenders close 5:00 pm Friday 25 July Tender Contact Don Pollock Practice Change Leader 7

8 Terrain NRM Notification of success: The tenderer will be selected through a selective tender process and will be selected via a selection committee decision with weightings. Assessment will be complete by 30 July Tenderers will be notified via as to whether or not they were successful in their Tender. Feedback will be available to tenderers if they require it. 8

9 Appendix 1 As a guide - Envisaged principles of extension relevant to water quality improvement in sugarcane production in the wet tropics A variety of extension methods are needed to support producers at different stages of adoption. Although resource intensive, one-on-one extension is effective in leading to practice change; Extension needs to be targeted at sub-catchments and demographics with the greatest potential for enabling practice change that will achieve the desired outcomes (such as water quality improvement); Extension should focus on practices that improve business performance as well as environmental outcomes as financial costs and benefits are key factors influencing adoption. Synergies can be developed by proactive collaboration and coordination of extension activities across service providers; Communication across the spectrum of research, development and extension providers increases knowledge sharing, leading to more effective programs; Developing capacity in delivery personnel (public and private) maximises effectiveness and efficiency. Mentoring is a vital part of capacity building; Establishing a monitoring and evaluation program at the start of an extension project ensures that project activities and evaluation tools can be planned and tailored, to ensure the impact and benefits of the project can be measured and reported. The effectiveness of the Reef Programme project investments via grower grants in pursuing and promoting practice adoption is increased if investment is accompanied with competent extension. Effective extension can range from the provision of technical information and training to assist with equipment usage, to facilitating greater opportunity for grower to grower contact in farm visits and field walks. 9

10 Appendix 2 Minimum Grower Number Targets for Wet Tropics Training and Extension Programme Grower numbers minimum targets specified for each production district. T & E grants implementation is the number of growers receiving a water quality grant, and where there is a mandatory training and extension delivery of a farm management plan for nutrient or weed management. Growers receiving T & E - DIN priority is number of growers targeted for extension based on catchment water quality priorities, over and above growers receiving grant funding. Minimum Training and Extension Delivery Outcomes Allocation Daintree MossmanUpper Barron Cairns Johnstone Tully Murray Herbert Total Growers receiving T & E - grants implementation % of total growers 28% 30% 35% 52% 35% 27% 33% Growers receving T & E - DIN Priority Total Growers % of total growers 60% 32% 60% 69% 68% 41% 53% Actual number of grower Budget $ 1,811,000 Average T & E Spend per grower $ 2,489 10