BACKGROUND:
 

The Inclusive Value Chains Philippines (IVC PH) Project aims to enhance the design, implementation and adoption of inclusive value chains in smallholder farming systems in the Philippines by exploring roles, conditions and specific value chain interventions that improve engagement and benefit the livelihoods of farmers, their communities and their chain partners. It focuses on two case studies: the vegetable farming system value chains in the province of Cebu, and the coffee farming system value chains in the province of Sultan Kudarat. The project commenced in October 2021 and will run for four years.

 

One of the gaps identified by the IVC PH Project is the adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and food safety in their farms. Most of the farmers are either not familiar or are not practicing GAP. However, they have a sufficient appreciation of food safety. By leveraging on their familiarity with food safety, these farmers can be encouraged to adopt GAP in their farms. By following GAP principles, farmers can improve the quality and safety of their produce, safeguard their health, and contribute to the overall well-being of their communities. However, communicating these critical concepts effectively to a diverse audience, especially in rural settings, presents unique challenges. Varying literacy levels, limited access to formal education, and the technical nature of the information make it difficult for many farmers to fully understand and adopt these practices.

 

To overcome these challenges, the IVC PH Project and PPSA will develop a comic series on GAP and food safety for farmers as an education tool. Comics provide a unique blend of visual storytelling and engagement that can simplify complex topics and make them more accessible to farmers of all literacy levels. By using colorful visuals, relatable characters, and storylines grounded in local agricultural contexts, this comic series will ensure that information on GAP and food safety is easy to understand, relatable and applicable, enhance recall and retention, and encourage farmers to engage in discussions around food safety and GAP, fostering knowledge sharing and collaboration. This comic series can significantly enhance the promotion and adoption of Good Agricultural Practices and food safety, ultimately leading to more sustainable and productive agricultural systems.

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PURPOSE AND USAGE:

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The laymanized comic series will be used to  educate farmers. The comics should promote and encourage:
 

• Understandability: Comics are a highly accessible medium, particularly in rural areas where literacy rates may vary. By presenting agricultural information in a visual and engaging format, farmers of all literacy levels can easily understand and apply the concepts discussed.
   

• Relatability: Comics have the unique ability to capture readers' attention through compelling storytelling and vibrant visuals. It can also incorporate cultural elements and local contexts, making them more relatable and applicable to the target audience. By featuring relatable characters and storylines set in familiar agricultural contexts, the comic series can captivate farmers' interest and keep them engaged throughout the learning process.
   

• Recall and Retention: By conveying agricultural best practices through memorable characters, scenes, and dialogue, the comic series can help farmers retain key concepts and apply them in their own farming operations.
   

• Community Building: Comics can serve as a catalyst for community engagement and knowledge sharing. By distributing the comic series within farming communities and facilitating discussions around its content, the series can foster a sense of solidarity among farmers and encourage collective action towards sustainable agriculture.

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SCOPE OF THE WORK AND KEY DELIVERABLES:

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The work is expected to commence by 3 November 2024 and be completed not later than July 2025. The delivery of the work are broken down as follows: 

 

• Storytelling through visuals

  • Based on the storyline developed by PPSA, illustrate the comic series using compelling visuals to simplify and explain complex concepts such as food safety and GAP principles.

  • Design and illustrate a cast of memorable, relatable characters that reflect the farming community's culture, environment, and values.

  • Create scenes that depict real-life agricultural settings and practices, ensuring they resonate with the farmers.

  • Ensure visuals that accurately reflect the target communities' experiences, including local crops, agricultural tools, and everyday challenges.

• Format adaptation

  • Produce high-quality illustrations that are adaptable for both print and digital/social media distribution.

  • Ensure the artwork is suitable for different formats and resolutions without losing visual quality or clarity.

• Collaboration and revisions

  • Collaborate closely with the IVC PH project team to align the illustrations with educational objectives and feedback from the target audience.

  • Make necessary revisions based on feedback to ensure the comics are effective in delivering educational content.

• Ensure timely delivery of high-quality illustrations according to project deadlines.

• Align and suggest visual communication strategies alongside the storyline writer.​

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QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

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• Proven experience in illustration and graphic design, preferably in comic book illustration or similar projects.

• Strong understanding of character design and visual storytelling techniques to convey complex topics in an engaging, easy-to-understand manner.

• Ability to integrate cultural and local contexts into designs to enhance relatability.

• Proficiency in graphic design and illustration software (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, etc.).

• Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with a team.

• Flexibility to revise illustrations based on feedback from the team and target audience.

• Experience working on Information, Education and Communication materials related to sustainability, development, and agriculture is nice to have

• Familiarity with GAP and food safety is a plus.

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SUBMISSION AND ASSESSMENT OF TENDERS:

 

• Interested illustrators are invited to submit his/her CV and  portfolio of relevant illustrations (if available) no later than 15 October 2024 to secretariat@ppsa-ph.org. We ask that you kindly follow this subject line when sending your application: “Application: Comics Illustrator – Your Name”)

• PPSA may request additional materials and information as needed. Assessments will include interview(s). 

• Final selection shall be made not later than November 1, 2024.

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As a multi-stakeholder platform, we believe all voices matter, and we actively seek to bring them to the table. Aligned with this ethos, the Philippines Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture is committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or gender identity.

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