USAID Agricultural Value Chains (AVC) Activity FY 2017 Annual Report

The program is organized into four components: Component 1 focuses on improving the quality and volume of agricultural production, Component 2 targets post-harvest handling and production, Component 3 facilitates market linkages, and Component 4 links educational institutions with private sector demand. The program operates in 33 districts across 12 provinces of Uzbekistan, with a geographic focus on edible horticulture, including stone fruits, pome fruits, grapes, vegetables, and gourds. Although the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between USAID and the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources (MAWR) did not designate specific crops for project activities, the program's expertise is greatest in stone fruits, pome fruits, and grapes, which is extended to vegetables and gourds. During FY2017, the program faced several challenges, including a written USAID guidance received in early Q2 of FY2017 that "AVC's currently obligated funds should last through November 2017." In response, the program undertook re-budgeting of existing resources, making cuts in the use of international consultants and procurement of capital goods for partner institutions. As a result, the program significantly reduced planned activities, with a particular focus on international consultants and physical good procurements. The program also faced deviations from the FY2016 Work Plan, including the postponement of the greenhouse and potting system intended for the Mirzaev Horticultural Institute and the Educational Assessment. However, the program made progress in establishing project relations with the three agricultural universities once the MOU was signed. In terms of performance monitoring and evaluation, the program met its indicators, including improving the quality and volume of agricultural production, post-harvest handling and production, and market linkages. The program also made progress in linking educational institutions with private sector demand, with a focus on stone fruits, pome fruits, and grapes. The program's geographic focus is on 33 districts across 12 provinces of Uzbekistan, with a total of 34 geographic entities covered by the program. The program's commodity focus is on edible horticulture, including stone fruits, pome fruits, grapes, vegetables, and gourds. In terms of staffing, the program did not encounter any major field office staffing issues during FY2017. However, the Home Office Project Manager was changed from Misha Voronenko to Sarah Wall at the end of the FY. Overall, the USAID Agricultural Value Chains (AVC) Activity is a development program aimed at improving the competitiveness and food security of the agricultural sector in Uzbekistan. The program operates in 33 districts across 12 provinces, with a geographic focus on edible horticulture and a commodity focus on stone fruits, pome fruits, grapes, vegetables, and gourds. The program has made progress in improving the quality and volume of agricultural production, post-harvest handling and production, and market linkages, and has established project relations with the three agricultural universities.