Terms of reference (ToR) for Assessing Bangladesh’s Food System Transformation and Strengthening Regional Policy Dialogue under ATMI-II
1. Background
The project “Ensuring Inclusiveness, Sustainability, and Efficiency of Food System Transformation in the ASEAN and BIMSTEC Countries” (ATMI-II) responds to the rapid transformation of agri-food systems across selected ASEAN and BIMSTEC member states. These countries face significant development challenges, including persistent rural poverty, inequality across socio-economic groups, and high vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters. As agricultural markets become more integrated regionally and globally, concerns have intensified regarding inclusiveness, particularly the participation of smallholder farmers, women, and youth in value chains, markets, and policy processes.
Food systems in the region, including in Bangladesh, operate within complex economic, environmental, and institutional contexts. High domestic trade costs, gaps in logistics and cold chain infrastructure, and fragmented policy approaches continue to constrain the ability of smallholders to fully benefit from expanding market opportunities. At the same time, deepening cross-border value chains, transboundary risks, and evolving bilateral and regional trade arrangements call for coordinated policy responses that go beyond single-country interventions.
Building on the achievements of ATMI-I, ATMI-II expands both its geographic and thematic scope to include countries from both ASEAN and BIMSTEC, namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. The Project adopts a regional and policy-oriented approach, working directly with governments and the ASEAN and BIMSTEC Secretariats to strengthen institutional capacity, promote evidence-based policymaking, and foster cross-country learning.
The overall goal of ATMI-II is to strengthen the institutional capacity of selected countries to develop and implement policies and sub-regional programmes that support the integration of smallholders into agricultural and food markets. While governments and regional bodies are the direct beneficiaries, smallholder farmers and marginalized rural households are the intended indirect beneficiaries through improved, inclusive, and sustainable policy frameworks.
Bangladesh, as a key member of BIMSTEC and one of the fastest-growing economies in South Asia, is central to the ATMI-II agenda. As the country prepares for graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, its agri-food system is undergoing a gradual but significant transformation, shaped by structural changes in the economy, evolving trade and market policies, and shifting patterns of domestic consumption. While agriculture remains largely smallholder-based, there is increasing diversification toward high-value segments such as fisheries, livestock, and horticulture, alongside growing though still uneven integration with regional and global markets. LDC graduation presents both opportunities and challenges, particularly in terms of reduced preferential market access, rising compliance requirements, and the need to enhance competitiveness and value addition. Understanding these dynamics is critical for designing evidence-based policies that promote inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agricultural transformation.
To support this agenda, IFPRI, under ATMI-II, seeks to engage a qualified institution based in Bangladesh to implement select project activities. The engaged institution will contribute to the project”s analytical and capacity-strengthening objectives, leveraging its expertise in trade policy analysis, regional economic integration, and South-South cooperation.
2. Objective of the Assignment
Overall Objective
The overall objective of this assignment is to generate evidence-based policy insights on Bangladesh’s agri-food system transformation in the context of evolving trade and economic partnership arrangements, and to strengthen regional policy dialogue and analytical capacity under the ATMI-II framework.
Specific Objectives
· To review study conducted on the estimation of domestic trade costs and market connectivity in Bangladesh using port-level and spatial analysis (including OSRM), identifying key logistical and infrastructure bottlenecks affecting movement of agricultural commodities.
· To review the study conducted on the Bangladesh’s participation and positioning in global value chains (GVCs) in agriculture and allied sectors using datasets such as OECD TiVA, including assessment of value addition, backward and forward linkages, and opportunities for upgrading.
· To conduct an analysis of household-level participation in food enterprises in Bangladesh using the Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey (BIHS) panel data, examining the extent and determinants of participation and assessing their role in employment generation, agricultural transformation, and gender inclusion.
· To organize one national policy roundtable in Bangladesh, inviting policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders to disseminate findings from the analytical work and facilitate policy dialogue.
· Participate in and support one regional or national capacity strengthening event under the NePAA framework to enhance analytical capacity on trade, market integration, and food systems transformation.
· To provide technical and institutional support for the design and structuring of NePAA, including the establishment of national/regional technical advisory groups, working groups, communities of practice (CoPs), and a steering committee. Also, help in identification and engagement of Bangladesh-based experts and institutions.
3. Scope of Work
The selected institution will carry out the following interconnected activities:
Activity 1: Study Report on Food Enterprises in Bangladesh
Conduct an analysis of household-level participation in food enterprises in Bangladesh using the Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey (BIHS) panel data, examining the extent and determinants of participation and assessing their role in employment generation, agricultural transformation, and gender inclusion.
Activity 2: National Policy Roundtable
Organize one policy roundtable at the national level, inviting policymakers and stakeholders from national and regional institutions to disseminate and discuss findings from the policy review report and other analytical outputs generated under ATMI-II. The event should foster informed dialogue on policy priorities for inclusive and sustainable agricultural transformation in Bangladesh.
Activity 3: Regional Capacity Strengthening Event
Organize one regional-level capacity strengthening event under the NePAA framework, aimed at strengthening the analytical capacity of policymakers, researchers, and relevant stakeholders on agricultural transformation and market integration. The event should promote cross-country learning and regional collaboration among BIMSTEC and ASEAN members.
Activity 4: Review of Domestic Trade Cost and GVC study
To review studies on (i) estimation of domestic trade costs and market connectivity in Bangladesh using port-level and spatial analysis (including OSRM) to identify logistical and infrastructure bottlenecks affecting agricultural commodity movement; and (ii) Bangladesh’s participation and positioning in agricultural and allied sector GVCs using OECD TiVA dataset, including assessment of value addition, backward and forward linkages, and upgrading opportunities.
Activity 5: Technical and Institutional Support to NePAA
Provide technical and institutional support to the design and structuring of NePAA. This includes supporting the establishment of national and regional technical advisory groups, thematic working groups, communities of practice (CoPs), and a steering committee to ensure the network’s operational effectiveness and sustainability. Also, help in identification and engagement of Bangladesh-based experts and institutions.
4. Deliverables
The following deliverables are expected from selected institution upon the completion of the respective activities:
S. No.
Deliverable
Linked Activity
Format
Timeline
1
Study on Food Enterprises in Bangladesh
Activity 1
Technical Report
31st Jan, 2027
2
National Policy Roundtable
Activity 2
Event Report with Proceedings/Event Blog
28th Feb, 2027
3
Regional Capacity Strengthening Event
Activity 3
Event Report with Proceedings/Event Blog
31st Dec, 2026
4
Review of Domestic Trade Cost and GVC study
Activity 4
Brief Note/Comments on the study
31st Mar, 2027
5
Technical support to NePAA Design and Structure
Activity 5
Ongoing over the project period.
5. Institutional Qualifications
The institution engaged for this assignment should demonstrate the following:
· Established expertise in trade policy analysis, agricultural economics, and regional economic integration.
· Proven track record of conducting policy research and analysis relevant to developing countries, with particular focus on South and Southeast Asia.
· Experience in organizing high-level policy dialogues, roundtables, and capacity strengthening events involving government stakeholders and international organizations.
· Existing institutional relationships with BIMSTEC and ASEAN secretariat and framework, and experience collaborating with CGIAR centers or similar international research organizations.
· Strong networks with government policymakers, research institutions, and stakeholder communities in Bangladesh and the broader region.
· The institution must be based in Bangladesh and legally registered with the relevant government authorities.
6. Reporting and Coordination
· The selected institution will work closely with IFPRI’s team under ATMI-II for the implementation of all activities.
· All deliverables will undergo technical review by IFPRI before finalization.
· Regular virtual meetings will be scheduled for progress updates, coordination, and quality assurance.
· Event planning (policy roundtable) will be undertaken in close consultation with IFPRI and relevant government and regional stakeholders.
7. Intellectual Property
All data, analysis, reports, and outputs produced under this assignment will be the property of IFPRI. The selected institution may use the findings for academic and policy purposes with due acknowledgment to IFPRI and the ATMI-II project.
8. Period of Assignment
The contract period will be from June 01, 2026, to December 31, 2027.
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