Moldova Agricultural Competitiveness and Enterprise Development (ACED) Project Final Report

The project, implemented from 2011 to 2016, was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and managed by DAI. The project's primary objective was to increase the income of Moldovan farmers and agribusinesses by improving their access to new markets, enhancing their productivity, and promoting investments in the sector. The ACED project adopted a value chain approach, focusing on the high-value agriculture (HVA) sector, which includes fruits, vegetables, and wine. The project's activities were divided into two components: Component 1, which focused on improving the competitiveness of HVA producers and agribusinesses, and Component 2, which aimed to build the capacity of business support providers (BSPs) and support the development of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Transnistria. Component 1 of the project included several activities, such as developing the value chain support center, facilitating investments for value chain upgrades, and attracting foreign direct investment in the Moldovan HVA sector. The project also implemented a training program for producers, which included demonstrations and the application of integrated ACED training approaches to promote key production technologies. The project's results showed a significant increase in HVA exports, with a 27% increase in annual profits among ACED-assisted producers and agribusinesses located outside of areas targeted in the CIS Rehabilitation Project. The project also established the Women in Agriculture Network (WAN), which aimed to promote the participation of women in agriculture and improve their access to markets and resources. The WAN implemented several activities, including training programs, market linkages, and access to finance. The project's results showed a significant increase in the number of women participating in the network, with 38% of participants being women-headed households. The project's performance indicator results analysis showed a significant increase in HVA exports, with a 27% increase in annual profits among ACED-assisted producers and agribusinesses located outside of areas targeted in the CIS Rehabilitation Project. The project also achieved its objectives in terms of increasing the competitiveness of HVA producers and agribusinesses, improving their access to new markets, and promoting investments in the sector. The project's coordination with other donors was also an important aspect of its implementation. The project held regular donor coordination meetings with the World Bank, IFAD, and UNDP Aid for Trade, which helped to ensure that the project's activities were aligned with the goals and objectives of other donor-funded initiatives in the sector. Overall, the ACED project made significant contributions to the development of Moldova's agricultural sector, and its results and lessons learned can be used to inform future initiatives in the sector.