Performance evaluation of the Albanian agricultural competitiveness program : final report

(DAI). AAC has three components: (1) strengthening producer capacity for competitive commercial farming; (2) strengthening capacity for market development; and (3) increasing access to, and use of, timely and reliable market information. It also uses crosscutting mechanisms such as grants, credit facilitation, and policy and regulatory reform dialogue to stimulate a more competitive enabling environment. Using four criteria for selecting interventions -- demand prospects in domestic and export markets, potential for growth, feasibility, and meeting development objectives -- AAC has focused on five strategic value chains and associated activities: (1) tree crops; (2) greenhouse crops; (3) open-field crops; (4) medicinal and aromatic plants; and (5) processed commodities. In implementing its program, AAC has targeted constraints and capitalized on opportunities throughout the entire value chain for the targeted commodities, from improved farm and postharvest technologies to trade facilitation in domestic and export markets. The major objectives of the AAC evaluation are to: (1) assess AAC performance and achievements to date; (2) identify best practices and lessons-learned from program implementation; (3) assess and recommend any other opportunities in the agriculture sector that should be considered for future funding; and (4) provide USAID/Albania with practical and implementable recommendations for core USAID support to the agricultural sector using host country institutions. Some of the evaluators' findings include: (1) examination of AAC targets and actual achievements reveals that the project has met or exceeded its targets for all indicators since program inception; (2) AAC's contributions to Albania's performance in the agricultural sector are substantial; (3) AAC collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Consumer Protection (MOAFCP)has been outstanding; (4) five years into AAC implementation, the original assumptions of the program remain valid; (5) building on the success of the AAC program, a follow-up initiative is justified. The evaluators also provide seven emendations to be considered after the ACC has ended in January 2013. (Excerpt, modified)