BACKGROUND
Government of Lesotho, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) is implementing wool and mohair promotion project (WAMPP) with the goal to boost economic and climate resilience of poor, smallholder wool and mohair producers to adverse effects of climate change in the mountain and foothill regions of Lesotho. The project is coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS). It is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Small Business Development, Cooperatives and Marketing (MSCM), The Ministry of Forestry, Rangelands and Soil Conservation (MFRSC) as well as the Lesotho National Wool and Mohair Growers Association (LNWMGA). It consists of three components to be implemented over a period of seven years. Those components are: Climate smart rangelands and management, Improved Merino Sheep and Angora Goats production and management and Wool and Mohair processing and marketing.
It is the objective of wool and mohair processing and marketing component of the WAMPP to increase market returns for livestock producers through improved quality of fibre while at the same time stimulating a niche market for cottage products and providing a market outlet for unproductive animals that need to be removed from the rangeland.
Livestock auctions are still an important strategy that could be used to dispose of unproductive animals from the rangelands and therefore require aggressive attention. Revival of livestock auctions has been complimented also by the revitalization of the national abattoir that has a capacity of slaughtering 20,000 cattle and 30,000 sheep annually. Livestock sales provide a meaningful source of income for rural households.
In collaboration with the Department of Marketing (DoM), WAMPP intends to facilitate revival of auctions whereby two private auctioneers will be identified to run the sales so as to ensure profitability and sustainability of the activity. In order to make meaningful profits from the endeavour, a reasonable commission ranging from 4% – 10% to be agreed upon by all stakeholders, will be charged by auctioneers. Auctioneers shall not work in isolation but shall co-operate with DoM whose responsibility shall be to facilitate conduction and keep records of the sales.
SCOPE OF WORK FOR PRIVATE AUCTIONEERS IS AS STIPULATED BELOW:
Private auctioneers shall be responsible for the following:
Run livestock auctions sales during and after project duration
Establish and announce location, date and time of auctions through various media
Carry out appraisal of livestock to be offered for auctioning to determine an estimate of livestock`s worth in relation to age, sex, weight, breed and health status
Complete various paper work and recordkeeping tasks on sale of animals
Tag and mark animals for identification in sale ring
Assign lot numbers to animals identified for sale
Declare winners of animals and facilitate delivery to buyers
Process payments and disburse money ethically
Maintain and control crowd
DESIRED COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS
Must be a holder of a Certificate or Diploma in General Agriculture. The following courses are required: Agricultural Economics/Marketing or Agri-Business, finance or any business related course
Must be familiar and knowledgeable about livestock animal terminology
Must be conversant with current livestock business models and practices around livestock sub-sector in the country
Must be community oriented and flexible enough to adapt to the rural environment
Level on Input / Duration
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security now invites eligible individuals to provide their detailed curriculum vitae and technical proposals to demonstrate that they are qualified and experienced to perform the services for which they are expressing their interest. Eligible individuals may request a full set of terms of reference from the address indicated below.
Curriculum Vitae with certified copies of educational certificates and technical proposals must be submitted in three different envelops. However both envelops should be in one larger envelope clearly written “PRIVATE LIVESTOCK AUCTIONEERS”. Each applicant should have at least one (1) copy (one original) in sealed envelope to the address below, on or before 3 August 2017, 12:00 noon local time.
Project Director
Address: P.O Box 24
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security
Kingdom of Lesotho
Situated on 1 Oaktree Gardens, Qoaling Road, Maseru Urban area PLOT NO 12284-023
City: Maseru
ZIP Code: 100
Country: Lesotho
