Ningxia Dryland Farming and Water Conservation Demonstration Project

Specifically, the consultants will familiarize the executing and implementing agencies with ADB’s processes for environmental assessments, and ADB guidelines for preparing initial environmental examination (IEE) for proposed Category B project following the Safeguard Policy Statement (2009); coordinate with the national resources management specialist, assess the possible environmental impact of project interventions, including water balance for different types of crops including (a) survey of environmental problems related to water use from project interventions; (b) evaluate water management systems (irrigation system and user charge policies); (c) review the water balance; and (d) identify mitigation measures for minimizing negative impacts; review national environmental regulations and standards related to agricultural development projects, including agrochemical regulations and international conventions; assess the environmental implications from project intervention on agrochemical use; evaluate farmers’ readiness to safely apply agrochemicals, prospects for integrated pest management (IPM), and organic fertilizer utilization; and identify needs and measures for strengthening the agriculture extension services to promote minimal agrochemical use; review the feasibility study reports, water and soil erosion plans, draft domestic environmental safeguard reports; and obtain any additional information needed to comply with ADB’s requirements, including those related to biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resources management, pollution prevention and abatement, health and safety, physical cultural resources, application of international standards, and establishment of a grievance redress mechanism; support the government to prepare a consolidated IEE and an environmental management plan (EMP) in English up to ADB’s requirements, consistent with the domestic environmental assessment reports and including description of each mitigation measure and cost estimates, environmental monitoring plan, institutional arrangement, implementation schedule, and public consultations; coordinate with the social development plans for the inputs to be covered in the consolidated IEE per ADB;s Safeguard Policy Statement (2009) requirements; assess initial climate change impacts on agriculture, and recommend policy and investment options on how to cope with climate change; and provide an overview of the opportunities and threat for farmers as a result of climate change; ensure government ownership and full concurrence with the EMP and the IEE; and undertake other relevant tasks as assigned.