Summary
In order to assess the contribution of the UTZ hazelnut program to changes in farming practices after four years of implementation (2014-2018) and generate recommendations for UTZ and certificate holders (CHs) on how to improve the implementation of the UTZ code of conduct, Development Workshop was commissioned this evaluation study. The data collection instruments in the baseline included a farmer survey (applied to 216 farmers) and semi-structured interviews with a total of 25 group managers, experts and practitioners. These tools have been revised for the evaluation study to allow for comparisons with the findings of the 2014 baseline study, with additional questions to understand the extent of UTZ program contribution. A total of 227 farmer surveys and 20 semi-structured interviews with representatives of the CHs, external auditors and local stakeholders were conducted in 2018.