Proposals are hereby invited for the following: Appointment of a consultant to develop the Eastern Cape cannabis industry strategy linked to existing industrial value chains. Scope: The consultancy will include the following tasks: i. Conduct a literature review of the hemp and cannabis industry in South Africa and the Eastern Cape; ii. Conduct interviews with key stakeholders in the hemp and cannabis industry in the Eastern Cape, including farmers, processors, and distributors as well as relevant officials; iii. Analyse market data on the supply and demand for hemp and cannabis products in the Eastern Cape noting that there are limited data for the so-called illicit market and that this may need to be estimated; iv. Identify opportunities for small, traditional, and rural farmers in the hemp and cannabis market, including potential value chains and partnerships; v. Identify the post-farm gate downstream value-added opportunities for SME development in which the Eastern Cape Province has a comparative and competitive advantages; vi. Assess the potential for sustainable growth in the hemp and cannabis industry in the Eastern Cape, including high-level environmental and social impacts with special reference to youth and women inclusion; vii. Provide recommendations for policies and programs to support small, traditional and rural farmers in the hemp and cannabis market in the Eastern Cape and South Africa, and provide a clear view of what barriers are present, and what resources will be needed to achieve commercial inclusion in the priority value chain. viii. Disbursements will be at the expense of the business entity. (Tender №95530988)