EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF A WEB AND MOBILE-BASED CUSTOM WEATHER SYSTEM

[https://mespt.org/download/expression-of-interest-for-the-deployment-of-a-web-and-mobile-based-custom-weather-system/

1.0 BACKGROUND

Introduction

Micro-Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT), has since the year 2002 developed a niche in supporting the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by providing integrated business solutions for sustainable development. The Trust is a multi-donor entity jointly founded by the Government of Kenya and the European Union who later relinquished their position to the Royal Danish Embassy in Kenya, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (DANIDA).

About GEAP Programme

GEAP programme targets 40,000 smallholder farmers and is implemented in 12 counties namely, Kilifi, Kwale, Nakuru, Nyandarua, Siaya, Kisii, Kakamega, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Makueni and Machakos.

The programme will facilitate increased commercialization, decent employment, and green transformation through targeted interventions in seven selected agriculture value chains that include, Dairy, Export Vegetables, Mango, Avocado, Indigenous Poultry, Coconut, and Aquaculture.

Key workstreams include building the capacity of value chain stakeholders, increase productivity, facilitate market linkages and access to finance. MESPT will promote uptake of green technologies and services that will contribute to a greener economy as well as advocating for a regulatory environment in Kenya, promoting green transition in agriculture.

2.0 PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

In reference to workstreams of increased productivity and facilitating market linkages the programme has sought to acquire a Custom Weather’s solutions to for agriculture provide critical weather and climate information, mitigation factors and farm input information that empower growers and producers to make confident and informed business decisions. Custom Weather’s services are customized to individual regions of interest anywhere in the world.

The project now invites eligible firms to indicate their interest in deploying a web and mobile-based Custom Solution as per the ToR described in this document.

3.0 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK.

The system should undertake the following:

a) Forecast Variables

The system should offer a comprehensive range of weather variables and derivatives specific to the agricultural industry with custom options available.

· Evapotranspiration

· Sunshine Hours (light sensitivity)

· Soil Moisture Upper 10cm-200cm

· Powdery Mildew Index

· Accumulated Rainfall Analysis

· Total Cloud Cover

· High Resolution Precipitation Forecasts

· Surface Temperature

b) Custom alerts

The system should offer a number of customized alerts to warn farmers of impending weather or when weather conditions are ripe for certain crop disease outbreaks.

· Excessive Rainfall Alerts

· Palmer Index

· High Wind Alerts

· Drought Index

· Powdery Mildew Index

· Pest and Disease Alerts (crop-specific)

· Prolonged Heat Alerts

c) Seasonal Climate Reports

· Detailed analysis of outlook for the upcoming 90 days.

· Delivered monthly or seasonally upon request via email, SMS, posted online through the web portal interface.

d) Daily and Weekly Weather Reports

· Options for Hourly, Daily, 7- or 15-Day Weather reports and forecasts for your specific growing location(s)

· Summary and review of previous weather

· Detailed discussion, forecast and analysis of anticipated conditions

· Delivered daily or weekly via email (as PDF), SMS or posted online via web portal interface.

e) GIS-based NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index)

· Provide for points, areas, and offers zonal stats by crop areas

· Other services include LIS (land information system) and satellite-derived precipitation

· LIS data is delivered at 15 km resolution and soil moisture is provided for different levels.

f) Custom models

· Precipitation forecasts

· Pest/disease modeling for potential outbreaks

· Historical Forecast Data includes historical hourly and/or daily forecast data from any date until present date. Data includes condition descriptions, high/low temperatures, wind speed and direction, humidity, comfort level, UV index, expected and probability of precipitation, and kilometers of visibility.

· Comprehensive database of daily and hourly climate information for all counties around Kenya

g) Soil analysis

· Provide an index of nutrient availability or supply in a given soil and preferred nutrient levels for soil deficiency correction

· Predict the probability of soil nutrient supplementation after analysis and fertilizer application for selected crops.

h) Market information and integration

· Provide farmers with appropriate suppliers of various green technologies related to climate adaptation and mitigation, farm inputs and prices with GPS location, contacts.

· Provide an option for suppliers’ registration and support of the hosting of the platform for sustainability

4.0 TIMELINES

The system should be deployed within a month after contract signing.

5.0 TECHNICAL SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

· Expert knowledge of Agricultural system.

· Excellent attention to detail.

· A proven forecast model with a high degree of accuracy

· Ability to refine forecasts down to 100-meter resolution worldwide

· Knowledge of mapping farm estates.

](https://mespt.org/download/expression-of-interest-for-the-deployment-of-a-web-and-mobile-based-custom-weather-system/)

How to apply

[https://mespt.org/download/expression-of-interest-for-the-deployment-of-a-web-and-mobile-based-custom-weather-system/

• Expression of interest to be sent to procurement@mespt.org by 4th November 2021


• Seek for any clarification through the same email as above