ThaiNGO

Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) Value Chains and Market Feasibility Study for Phu Kha Solutionscape, Nan Province

Wyss Academy for Nature, Hub Southeast Asia

Background

The Wyss Academy for Nature, Hub Southeast Asia (Hub SEA), together with its partners, has identified Phu Kha Solutionscape in Nan Province as a priority landscape to address interconnected human-nature challenges while generating co-benefits for biodiversity conservation and local livelihoods.

As part of its initiative "Catalyzing Nature-Positive Livelihoods, Inclusive Leadership and Cultural Vitality," Hub SEA seeks to assess the potential of high value and unique Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and MAPs (Medicinal and Aromatic Plants) as sustainable alternatives to existing cash crops and as opportunities for community-based enterprise development. While NTFPs and ecosystem services have long supported local livelihoods by providing food, medicine, fuel, and other resources, their value chains remain underdeveloped, and market opportunities are not well understood.

This study will identify promising NTFPs and MAPs in pilot villages, assess their value chains and market potential, evaluate their competitiveness relative to existing cash crops, and provide recommendations for developing viable, nature-positive livelihood models.

Objectives

To assess opportunities for developing viable high value NTFP and MAP value chains that can serve as sustainable alternative income sources and support community-based enterprise development within the Phu Kha Solutionscape in Nan Province. Results from this assessment will help inform crucial interventions and activities for the projects in Phu Kha Solutionscape.

Scope of work

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

1. NTFPs and MAPs identification and prioritization in two pilot villages within the Phu Kha Solutionscape (Ban Nam Kwang village and Ban Nam Pua Pattana village).
2. Value chain and market feasibility assessment for the prioritized NTFPs and MAPs with at least 1-2 wild mushroom identified
3. Opportunities and recommendations to strengthen, scale, and commercialize viable NTFP and MAP value chains, including 3-5 recommended practical business models and interventions to enhance sustainable income generation, value addition, and market access

Methodology

The consultant should apply mixed qualitative and quantitative methods:

1. Desk review and analysis
   • Enabling environment analysis
   • Domestic and international market demand and trends
   • Statistics of market share, import and export 
2. Fieldwork, interviews and focus group workshops
   • Participatory assessment approach that engages stakeholders in the prioritization of products and value chain assessments
   • Focus group discussions with producers, growers, and harvesters in two pilot villages and neighboring villages (if applicable) including representatives from relevant agencies who have key mandates related to value chains and enterprise development
   • Key individual informant interviews or focus group discussions for key actors and end users in the prioritized value chains and stakeholders who influence decision-making and governance in the value chains
3. Analysis and reporting 
   • Presentation of analysis and compilation of feedback from Wyss Academy for Nature
   • Opportunities and recommendations

Deliverables and timeline (12 Weeks)

Tentative implementation and deliverable submission period is between November 2026 to January 2027.

Consultant qualifications

• Ph.D. or advanced academic degree in forestry, ecology, development, economics, business, sustainability, or equivalent experience in related fields.
• Proven knowledge and experience in NTFP value chain, business sector and ecosystem assessments
• Strong analytical and stakeholder engagement skills and experience with participatory approaches
• Excellent written and spoken Thai is compulsory for in-country data collection. Proficiency in English is required for report writing and presentation 
• No conflict of interest with Wyss Academy for Nature’s Hub Southeast Asia.

Management & ethical considerations 

The consultant will be commissioned and managed by Wyss Academy for Nature’s Hub Southeast Asia. The consultant will report to the Wyss Academy for Nature’s Hub Southeast Asia, with technical oversight from the Hub Director, Research Coordinator and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Officer. The consultant will adhere to research ethical standards, including informed consent, do-no-harm principles, data confidentiality, and gender-sensitive data collection. All assessment products become the property of Wyss Academy for Nature’s Hub Southeast Asia.  

Please refer to the Terms of Reference (ToR) for your application.

Interested consultants should submit a technical proposal (max 5 pages), CV(s), 2 relevant work samples, and a detailed budget proposal to Pratya Youngpatana, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Officer, Wyss Academy Hub SEA at pratya.youngpatana@wyssacademy.org, copying hub.sea@wyssacademy.org, by 26 October 2026, with the subject line: “Application – NTFP Consultancy.”