C. Sustainability 62. The project’s sustainability is reinforced by GoU’s strong ownership of the overall project concept and design elements, which emerged from the request to support the implementation of the Agricultural Strategy. The project
supports activities that were thoroughly identified and selected during consultations with many stakeholders involved in
preparation of the Agricultural Strategy. The project follows an integrated approach of including a mix of investments in
agricultural services, organization of the value chains, and trade facilitation, that constitute building elements of the
comprehensive strategy ensuring long-term sustainable outcomes.
63. The project’s sustainability is also reinforced by GoU’s commitments to further agricultural reforms. MOA is
engaging with the EU to pursue reforms on agri-foods safety and trade quality standards, related agri-food laboratory
accreditation system, GAP farm assurance system, and agricultural land use security as a part of the proposed agricultural
budget support. The proposed reform and technical assistance areas complement the AMP investments, increasing their
sustainability and impact.
64. GoU has committed to increase agricultural public expenditures, including for the institutions participating in the project. The Agricultural Strategy envisages an increase in public expenditures on core public goods, such as key
agricultural services and agro-logistics, many of which are the part of the project. In addition, the agricultural research
institutes will start receiving core budget financing from January 2020, covering their staff salaries, operating expenses,
maintenance, and some capital expenditures. As of now, the most agricultural research institutes receive only grants to
finance specific projects. The change in budget financing of the institutes will ensure sustainability of AMP investments.