Georgian Hazelnut Improvement Project (G-HIP) Quarterly Progress Report

The project is implemented by CNFA and focuses on strengthening the Georgian Hazelnut Growers Association (GHGA) and the Hazelnut Exporters and Processors Association (HEPA) to develop and maintain sustainable business models. G-HIP's 5-year vision for the hazelnut sector in Georgia includes strengthening GHGA and HEPA, improving the sector's productivity and quality, stimulating international recognition of the "Georgian Hazelnut" as a brand, and representing the sector before the Government of Georgia and in international markets. The project anticipates GHGA will reach financial sustainability by 2020 through strategic investments in activities designed to expand membership and implement a tiered, income-generating membership structure. During the first quarter of Year 4, G-HIP continued to focus on sustainable capacity development for GHGA. The project participated in GHGA's Temporary Executive Committee meetings and developed a 2019 GHGA business plan with a strong emphasis on increased membership through an expanded outreach and training program. G-HIP also coordinated and managed activities related to combating the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), which has negatively impacted the hazelnut sector in Georgia. G-HIP worked closely with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (MEPA), the National Food Agency (NFA), and the Agricultural Projects' Management Agency (APMA) to develop and implement strategies to combat the BMSB infestation. The project also supported NFA's meeting with hazelnut sector representatives and coordinated the strategy for combating the BMSB infestation. G-HIP's key accomplishments during the first quarter include submitting the Year 3 Annual Report to USAID and AgriGeorgia/Ferrero, developing the Year 4 Work Plan and Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) in coordination with USAID and Ferrero, and submitting Feed the Future (FTF) Data Reporting, Performance Plan and Report (PPR), and Geographic Information System (GIS) reports to USAID. In terms of association development, G-HIP assisted GHGA in modifying and adopting a business plan, which defines the framework for planned programs and services to generate sufficient revenue and ensure financial sustainability for the organization. The project also announced a tender for selecting a financial audit firm to conduct GHGA's audit, which will support GHGA's financial capacity development. G-HIP's activities during the first quarter were focused on supporting GHGA's financial capacity development, combating the BMSB infestation, and developing strategies to improve the hazelnut sector in Georgia. The project's accomplishments during this quarter will contribute significantly to G-HIP's 5-year vision for the hazelnut sector in Georgia.