Qualitative Study on Soil Health and Gender, Central Highlands, Kenya

Terms of Reference for qualitative data collection firm

1. Objectives

This study seeks to provide qualitative evidence explaining soil health management practices of men and women smallholder farmers in the Central Highlands of Kenya. This evidence will complement insights obtained through the analysis of quantitative data collected in 2020 and 2023 with farmers in Laikipia East, Laikipia West, Molo and Kuresoi North. Specific attention will be given to constraints that might differently affect men and women, and youth and non-youth and identify gender and youth-specific opportunities and practical entry points for interventions. This is part of a larger study that aims to generate empirical evidence (quantitative and qualitative) to inform and scale more inclusive and effective approaches to enhancing soil health, improving agricultural productivity and climate resilience, strengthening food and national security, and advancing the agency and empowerment of women and youth.

2. Methodology

Focus group discussions (FGD), individual interviews (IDI) and key informant interviews (KII) will be conducted with different smallholder farmers and extension service providers living and working in the study area. FGD aim to capture general practices, social norms and common trends, whereas the IDI aim to capture the actual lived experiences of respondents and can bring depth and nuance to the information otherwise obtained in FGD. All interviews aim to understand the gendered organization of smallholder farm households, soil health perceptions, knowledge and use of soil health management practices, and barriers thereto.

3. Sample

Interviews will be conducted with farmers in four sub-counties, aligning with the location of the smallholder farmers in the aforementioned quantitative dataset: Laikipia East, Laikipia West, Molo and Kuresoi North. The study does not aim to re-interview in the exact same villages nor does it aim to interview the same respondents as in the quantitative dataset. At least one pretest FGD and one pretest IDI should be conducted, allowing for feedback and finetuning of the field guides prior to the main data collection.

For the FGDs we will target three different groups of respondents: (i) men (18-65 years old), (ii) women who are household heads (18-65 years old); (iii) women who are the spouse of household heads (i.e. the spouse of a male household head) (18-65 years old). We target people who actively participate in household farm activities. In each subcounty, we will conduct one FGD with each type of respondent. Hence, we will conduct 12 FGDs in total. Each focus group is intended to have 8 respondents, with a minimum of 6 respondents and a maximum of 10 respondents.

For the IDIs, we will target five types of respondents: (i) men (35-65 years old); (ii) young men (18 – 35 y old); (iii) women who are household heads themselves (18-65 years old); (iv) women wo are the spouse of the household head (35-65 years old); and (v) young women (18-35 years old. In each subcounty, we will conduct two IDIs with each type of respondent. Hence, we will conduct 40 IDIs in total.

KIIs will take place with agricultural extension staff. We intend to interview at least two agricultural extension staff (where possible, one male and one female agent) in each sub-county. At least eight KIIs will be conducted in total. Interviews will be conducted in the Kiswahili or any other relevant local language and audio-recorded only if respondents provide consent for the recording.

The team may decide to increase the number of interviews or group discussions if they find that the evidence is insufficiently conclusive or merits additional interviews for any other reasons.

4. Timeframe

Pretests will take place as soon as IFPRI and local IRB approval are received. The data collection should take place in August 2026. Transcriptions are to be completed by mid September 2026.

5. Specific tasks

The consultancy firm or consultant(s) will:

1. Provide input into the research design, including feedback on sample design and interview guidelines. Note that the first draft sample design and interview guidelines are prepared by the IFPRI study team.

2. Cross-check and adjust translation of the interview guidelines, from English to Kiswahili and any other relevant local language.

3. Securing research permission from necessary authorities:

a. Ensure NACOSTI certification of consultants and its relevant research staff

b. Provide feedback on local IRB submission package. The draft submission package will be prepared by the IFPRI study team.

c. Liaise with local authorities

4. Pretesting of FGD and IDI, providing feedback to the IFPRI study team and suggest adjustments to the interview guidelines and sampling methods, if necessary.

5. Organizing research participants

6. Conduct FGD, IDI and KI; including note-taking and audio-recording (in case of consent).

7. Transcription of interviews to English.

8. Optional: Input into data analysis and interpretation of results

9. Optional: Input into research report

6. Timeframe, deliverables and budget

Proposals should be submitted by July 1, 2026. A decision will be made by July 6, 2026. Proposals should include:

• Team members, including CVs of key staff

• Proposed timeline and detailed plan of field operations

• Detailed budget, not exceeding 10k USD. If the anticipated budget for the outlined scope of work exceeds this amount, we welcome suggestions on practical adjustments to the scope of work.