CFPs: Implementation of the Rice Intensification System in Lowland Areas (Guinea-Bissau)

The World Food Programme (WFP) is inviting applications from qualified non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to improve rice production and strengthen food security in Guinea-Bissau. The initiative promotes the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), supports agricultural cooperatives, enhances farmers’ technical skills, and encourages sustainable farming practices to increase productivity and resilience.

About the World Food Programme Rice Production Initiative

The World Food Programme (WFP) is launching a funding opportunity to support sustainable rice production in Guinea-Bissau through the adoption of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI). The initiative aims to strengthen food security, improve agricultural livelihoods, and build the capacity of farming communities by introducing efficient rice cultivation methods.

Working in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, WFP seeks to engage an experienced non-governmental organization (NGO) to implement activities that improve productivity while promoting sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.

Purpose of the Initiative

The programme is designed to address long-standing challenges affecting rice production in Guinea-Bissau, including:

• Limited availability of quality rice seeds
• Low adoption of improved agricultural technologies
• Weak resilience to climate change
• Low agricultural productivity
• Limited technical capacity among rice producers
• Inefficient use of water, labour, and farming inputs

Through this initiative, WFP aims to increase rice yields while helping farming communities become more self-reliant and food secure.

Focus Areas

The project supports activities related to:

• Food security
• Sustainable agriculture
• Rice production
• Intensive Rice Cultivation System (SRI)
• Agricultural cooperatives
• Livelihood development
• Climate-smart agriculture
• Agricultural inputs
• Farmer capacity building
• Technical and vocational education and training (TVET)
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Knowledge sharing

What is the System of Rice Intensification (SRI)?

The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is a sustainable farming method that improves rice yields while reducing the use of water, seeds, and other resources.

Key features of SRI include:

• Careful seedling transplantation
• Wider plant spacing
• Improved water management
• Better soil health practices
• Reduced seed requirements
• Increased productivity with lower input costs

SRI helps farmers produce more rice while improving environmental sustainability and resilience to climate change.

Project Objectives

The initiative aims to:

• Promote adoption of the Intensive Rice Cultivation System (SRI)
• Improve rice productivity
• Strengthen agricultural cooperatives
• Optimize the use of water, seeds, and labour
• Build technical skills among rice producers
• Establish demonstration plots
• Develop a functional monitoring system
• Document lessons learned and best practices
• Strengthen long-term food security

Expected Project Outcomes

Successful implementation is expected to result in:

• Farmers trained in SRI techniques
• Agricultural cooperatives applying SRI according to technical standards
• Demonstration fields established and monitored
• Increased rice production in target areas
• Improved technical knowledge among producers
• Efficient use of agricultural resources
• Operational monitoring and reporting system
• Documentation of project achievements and lessons learned

Funding Information

The funding opportunity supports implementation of activities that improve sustainable rice production in Guinea-Bissau.

Funding will support eligible project activities related to:

• Farmer training
• Capacity building
• Agricultural extension services
• Demonstration plots
• Monitoring systems
• Technical assistance
• Cooperative strengthening
• Documentation of project outcomes

The funding amount has not been specified in the available call information.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• Organizations with proven experience in agricultural production
• Organizations experienced in supporting farmer organizations and cooperatives
• Organizations with expertise in innovative farming technologies
• Organizations capable of implementing agricultural development projects in Guinea-Bissau

Applicants should demonstrate experience in:

• Sustainable agriculture
• Rice cultivation
• Farmer training
• Cooperative development
• Agricultural extension
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Livelihood and food security programmes

Why This Initiative Matters

Rice is one of the most important staple foods in Guinea-Bissau, yet production remains below national demand due to limited access to improved technologies and increasing climate pressures.

This initiative is important because it:

• Improves national food security
• Increases farmers’ incomes
• Promotes climate-smart agriculture
• Encourages efficient use of natural resources
• Builds stronger agricultural cooperatives
• Supports long-term rural development
• Reduces dependence on imported rice

How the Project Works

The selected NGO will work closely with WFP and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to implement project activities.

Implementation will generally include:

1. Select participating agricultural cooperatives.
2. Train farmers on SRI techniques.
3. Establish demonstration plots.
4. Provide technical support throughout the farming season.
5. Monitor implementation and collect project data.
6. Evaluate rice productivity improvements.
7. Document lessons learned and share results.

How to Apply

Interested organizations should:

1. Review the official application guidelines.
2. Confirm organizational eligibility.
3. Prepare a technical proposal demonstrating relevant agricultural experience.
4. Describe the implementation methodology for promoting SRI.
5. Present monitoring and evaluation plans.
6. Submit the application before the deadline specified by WFP.

Applicants should clearly demonstrate their experience in supporting agricultural cooperatives and implementing sustainable farming programmes.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Proposal

To improve competitiveness:

• Demonstrate previous experience with rice production projects.
• Show expertise in farmer training and extension services.
• Present a realistic implementation timeline.
• Include a robust monitoring and evaluation framework.
• Explain how project outcomes will be sustained after completion.
• Highlight partnerships with local agricultural stakeholders.
• Clearly describe experience working with farming cooperatives.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid the following when preparing an application:

• Providing insufficient evidence of agricultural experience.
• Submitting unclear implementation plans.
• Omitting monitoring and evaluation strategies.
• Failing to explain technical expertise in SRI or sustainable agriculture.
• Ignoring capacity-building components.
• Presenting unrealistic project timelines.
• Not demonstrating collaboration with local partners.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is organizing this funding opportunity?

The initiative is organized by the World Food Programme (WFP) in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Guinea-Bissau.

What is the main objective of the project?

The project aims to improve rice production and strengthen food security by promoting sustainable farming practices using the System of Rice Intensification (SRI).

Who can apply?

Qualified non-governmental organizations with experience in agricultural production, farmer organizations, and sustainable farming technologies are eligible.

What farming method will the project promote?

The project promotes the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) to improve productivity while using water, seeds, and labour more efficiently.

Will farmers receive training?

Yes. Farmers from participating agricultural cooperatives will receive technical training on SRI practices and sustainable rice production.

Is the funding amount specified?

The available information does not specify the total funding amount for this call.

What are the expected outcomes?

Expected outcomes include improved rice yields, stronger agricultural cooperatives, trained producers, operational demonstration plots, effective monitoring systems, and documented lessons learned.

Conclusion

The World Food Programme Rice Production Initiative in Guinea-Bissau represents an important opportunity for experienced agricultural NGOs to strengthen food security through sustainable rice cultivation. By promoting the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), improving farmer skills, and supporting agricultural cooperatives, the programme seeks to increase productivity, enhance climate resilience, and contribute to long-term rural development across Guinea-Bissau.