Agricultural Support to Azerbaijan Project (ASAP) Quarterly Progress Report Year 1. Quarter 2: October 1 - December 31, 2014

AID-112-C-14-00001. The project aimed to improve the quality and quantity of goods produced in Azerbaijan's agricultural sector. In Quarter 2 of Year 1, ASAP completed various administrative, operational, and program-related tasks. ASAP established its office in Baku and finalized the hiring and contracting of local staff. The project also prepared and submitted required documents to the Cabinet of Ministers for CNFA's application for legal registration in Azerbaijan. Additionally, ASAP drafted and submitted programmatic documents and other deliverables to USAID, outlining project strategies, activities, and targets. The project conducted extensive field work to understand the challenges and opportunities for agriculture in Azerbaijan. This field work facilitated the development of Value Chain Strategies & Action Plans for all four targeted value chains, a revised Grants Manual for the Technology Transfer Fund, and a Monitoring & Evaluation Plan. These documents were submitted to and approved by USAID during the quarter. ASAP also launched its technical assistance program, providing training in hazelnut production, farm planning, and food safety and quality standards. The hazelnut production assistance took place on an orchard in Zagatala, where practical demonstrations and training were provided to the orchard's owner, workers, and agronomist in pruning with modern tools. The project secured approval for a proposed application form for its Technical Assistance Matching Funding Facility and submitted proposed plans for its Demonstration Plots in the hazelnut and orchard value chains. ASAP also revised and submitted a Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safe Use Action Plan (PERSUAP) for both ASAP and a local NGO's USAID-funded activity. ASAP's field work and technical assistance efforts focused on improving the quality and quantity of goods produced in Azerbaijan's agricultural sector. The project's Value Chain Strategies & Action Plans aimed to address the challenges and opportunities in each value chain, while the technical assistance program provided training and support to beneficiaries. The project's Monitoring & Evaluation Plan was submitted and approved by USAID, ensuring that ASAP's progress would be tracked and evaluated throughout the project period. The project's impact indicators were summarized in the appendices, providing a detailed overview of ASAP's progress toward its goals. ASAP's quarterly progress report provided a comprehensive overview of the project's activities, achievements, and challenges during Quarter 2 of Year 1. The report highlighted the project's efforts to establish its office, hire local staff, and develop programmatic documents. It also emphasized the project's technical assistance efforts, including training in hazelnut production and food safety and quality standards. The project's field work and technical assistance efforts were critical to its success, as they enabled ASAP to better understand the challenges and opportunities in Azerbaijan's agricultural sector. The project's Value Chain Strategies & Action Plans and Monitoring & Evaluation Plan were essential tools in achieving its goals, and the project's technical assistance program provided valuable support to beneficiaries. The project's impact indicators were summarized in the appendices, providing a detailed overview of ASAP's progress toward its goals. The report also included a brief discussion of key constraints and lessons learned, as well as an overview of in-country field visits and international assignments conducted during the quarter. ASAP's quarterly progress report provided a comprehensive overview of the project's activities, achievements, and challenges during Quarter