The Agribusiness and Market Support Activity - Final Evaluation

The objective of the AMARTA project was to improve the quality and quantity of commodities produced within selected value chains and establish strong and transparent linkage between producers and other stakeholders, resulting in enhanced knowledge, greater access to appropriate technology, improved access to markets and improved incomesi.

AMARTA was launched on 29 September 2006 with a planned ending date of 20 September 2009. After two project extensions, AMARTA was closed on 30 April 2011. The Papua Agribusiness Development Alliance (PADA), a sub-component within AMARTA, will continue through 30 June 2011.

Shortly after project startup, the contractor for AMARTA, DAI Inc., was tasked with strengthening nine value chains. These included cocoa, coffee, fruits and vegetables, aquaculture, rubber, livestock (cattle), bio-fuel and seaweed. In 2008, USAID instructed the project to only focus on three core value chains (cocoa, coffee and horticulture) and close activities on the remaining value chains. In addition to the value chain work, the project was involved in promoting farm-level advocacy through its RACA (Regional Agribusiness Competitive Alliance) activity.

The project’s initial budget was 13.74 million dollars. This was increased to 20.60 million dollars and included 17.3 million dollars for core value chain activities (cocoa, coffee, and horticulture) plus RACAs, and 3.3 million dollars for other value chain development activities.