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

The project's activities for the second quarter of Project Year 1 focused on strengthening the Georgian Hazelnut Growers Association (GHGA) and the Hazelnut Exporters and Processors Association (HEPA). Key accomplishments during this period include the signing of a Terms of Cooperation (TOC) with the USAID REAP project and the modification of the TOC with AgriGeorgia/Ferrero to include specific language related to confidentiality of AgriGeorgia/Ferrero's technologies and operations in Georgia. G-HIP also provided technical assistance and AACREA methodological training to GHGA's advisors and producer groups. An AACREA senior consultant attended GHGA producer group meetings and conducted detailed assessments of the performance of these producer groups, providing additional training to group members as necessary. The consultant also conducted further technical and methodological training for the GHGA advisors to improve their capacity to advise producer group members and to manage the groups efficiently according to the CREA methodology. A management assessment of GHGA was conducted by AACREA's consultant, who met with GHGA's board of directors, staff, and producer members, as well as non-members that are also hazelnut producers. The assessment analyzed GHGA's organizational capacity strengths and areas requiring further development, additional staffing requirements, and operational performance. The conclusions of this assessment serve as the foundation for the development of a new GHGA business plan and identify areas where G-HIP can provide targeted technical assistance to improve management processes and procedures. The assessment analyzed GHGA's value propositions, organizational structure, management and decision-making processes and procedures, staff roles and responsibilities, supervisory positions, facilities and equipment resources, and financial management and revenue sources. The findings of the assessment will inform the development of a comprehensive business plan for GHGA, which will outline the association's goals, objectives, and strategies for achieving them. G-HIP also facilitated media coverage for Agrarian University's student training, assisted GHGA in developing and issuing press releases, and filmed the student trainings in April. G-HIP continues to support GHGA's media representation through the development of its website and social media. In addition, G-HIP supported GHGA to facilitate access to finance for its members, particularly in cooperation with the SDC's PAFAI project. G-HIP also conducted ongoing producers training in production technology by GHGA advisors to the producer groups. The project financed HEPA's organizational membership in the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council and initiated the design of an investment promotion strategy to promote HDS Facility investments. Overall, G-HIP's activities during the second quarter of Project Year 1 focused on strengthening the capacity of GHGA and HEPA, improving the management and operations of these associations, and promoting the development of the hazelnut sector in Georgia.