Ex-post evaluation rural development program LE14-20 and intermediary evaluation of selected interventions GSP 23-27 (food quality regulations and processing & marketing)

The Austrian Rural Development Program (LE Program) 2014-20 is being evaluated in terms of its achievement of the specified objectives. Priority area (SPB) 3A of LE 14-20 focuses on increasing the competitiveness of primary agricultural producers (Part 1). The evaluation examines the types of projects (VHA) that support the processing and marketing of agricultural products and the participation of agricultural holdings in food quality schemes. Evaluation question 6 in accordance with Annex V, EU Regulation 808/2014 is examined: "To what extent have the interventions under the rural development program contributed to increasing the competitiveness of the supported primary producers through their better integration into the food chain by means of quality schemes, increasing the added value of agricultural products, promoting sales on local markets and short supply chains, producer groups and organizations, and industry associations?" Building on part 1), the evaluation question on the evaluation topic “market orientation” of the Austrian CAP Strategic Plan GSP23-27 is examined: "To what extent has the GSP contributed to the market orientation of agricultural and forestry businesses through the production and processing of quality products and improved vertical cooperation along the value chain?"