Agriculture Modernization, Market Access and Resilience (AMMAR)

The Agriculture Modernization, Market Access and Resilience (AMMAR) project of the Government of Georgia, with IFAD funding, aims to raise incomes of smallholder farmers and increase climate resilience through public and private investments in upgrading climate-proof productive infrastructure, enterprises and smallholder farmer production systems and technologies in support of inclusive growth of climate smart agricultural value chains.

Tasks of this projects are: 

• Training/guidance on overall project approach and concepts related to VC development;

• Advise on VC screening and prioritization: help finalise proposed selection criteria for regions and VCs;

• Support in the selection of 4 VCs and 4 regions (Shida Kartli, Samtskhe Javakheti, Racha and Imereti) for implementation in the 1st year;

• Quick mapping and assessment of selected VCs: (i) preliminary roadmap and upgrading strategy for each VC and (ii) identification of key actors to be involved in multi-stakeholder processes (MSP);

• Organize and facilitate the MSP consultation workshop(s) in the above mentioned regions (at least one MSP per region). The first workshop is tentatively scheduled for late September 2015;

• Support to development of VC Development Plans for the rest of the project’s life including a results chain for overall VC upgrading and performance indicators for monitoring.

• Analyse possible potential risks the project beneficiaries may face in market and suggest possible mitigation measures;

• Come up with innovative and possibly market accepted packing and packaging and marketing models that the producer organizations can adopt;

• Explore micro financing institutions in the area and illustrate how the producer organizations can be linked with them;

• Assess the resources, skills and capacities of small farmers related to procurement of inputs and production of fruits and vegetables;

• Understand the existing market situation and nature of bargain taking place between different market players in the study area (relationships, attitudes and behaviours).

• Understand the capacity of producers and their organizations to access services, credit, information and resources.

• Suggest improvements in the value chain system for ensure direct linkages of the farmers with the major markets and increased incomes from their produces