Evaluation of Agricultural Development in Sheki area, Azerbaijan, 2005 - 2007

Background

Target areas are the regions of Sheki, Oguz and Qabala. The project period is three years, from January 2005 to December 2007. The evaluation was carried out in the spring of 2007, ¾ of a year before the project period ends. The timetable is according to the strategy pointed out in the Project Plan [8].

Purpose/objective

Two main aims of the evaluation:
1. To assess the project implementation and status of the project in comparison with the project objectives and goals.
2. To provide needed input in the process of deciding the future development of the project.

Methodology

The following points are addressed:
• Why ADPP-Sheki was started
• What is ADPP-Sheki / what it should not be
• How effective the project has functioned to address its mandate.
Methods:
• The study of the plans and reports of the project
• Interviews
• Field observations.

Key findings

According to the plans and the specified goals of the pilot project, it should test out different productions to see which areas would give the best effect. Most of the activities have been successful, but some areas of possible improvements are being highlighted that could give direction for a new project period. As a pilot project, with very limited time and relatively small resources available, it has reached very far. The project has got a good reputation in the region, and the clients are satisfied that the project has helped them to improve their own situation and given them new hope for the future.

Recommendations

• It is recommended that the project continues. Suggested duration 5 years, from January 2008 to December 2012.
o Increase of activities the first three years, 2008 - 2010.
o Building down during the last two years and handing the activities over to local partners or other local structures.
o Evaluation after three years.
o It is recommended that the project applies for funds from BN and NORAD in Norway.
• A future project should address the same target groups as the pilot project (refugees, IDPs, minority groups, female farmers).
• The main target should be to mobilize and motivate the poor farmers, help them to change their attitudes, so they will be encouraged and given the opportunities to improve their own situation. The success of the project depends on whether or not the people in the target groups will be motivated to change their own situation by using their own recourses.

Comments from the organisation

The findings seem fairly well supported by facts and objective observations. The recommendations are not in conflict with Normisjon's overall development policy or specific country strategies for Azerbaijan.