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Levan Davitashvili: "We are working to fulfill the Prime Minister's promise made to the population, thereby, we made significant changes to the program ‘’Plant the Future "
Today, at the Government session, at the initiative of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, the changes were made to the program “Plant the Future”. In accordance with the changes, a new component has been introduced into the program to co-finance anti-hail systems and well / pump station.
‘’The population demanded this change. The Prime Minister held a meeting with farmers in Shida Kartli region, whereby, this issue was raised as one of the crucial challenges faced by the residents suffering from water shortages in the villages located along the occupation line. We are fulfilling our promise, and in line with the demands of the population, significant changes have been made to the program ‘’Plant the Future " .In accordance with the changes, the state will co-finance 50%, if wells and pumping systems are installed. The installation and co-financing of anti-hail systems will be encouraged in order to protect the gardens of the beneficiaries engaged in the project “plant the Future” from the climate risks and effects of climate change. This will enable farmers to install modern technologies who build new gardens or are interested in modernizing existing gardens. An important change is related to a new crop to be included in the program. Laurel is a very interesting agricultural crop. Georgia had traditions of producing this culture. Georgian laurel enters new markets. Its export is also increasing. Georgian laurel is exported to Southeast Asia, as well as to European countries. The co-financing for planting the laurel crop will be added to the program "Plant the Future" to support the planting of commercial gardens’’- said Levan Davitashvili.
According to the changes, potential beneficiaries will be able to set hail protection systems and a well /pumping station for both existing and new perennial orchards. Beneficiaries will be funded up to no more than 10% of the cost of hail orchard systems for vineyards, apples, pears and blooms, and no more than 20% for agricultural cooperatives, adjacent villages and highland settlements.
For legal entities and individuals, the co-financing of hail systems per hectare covers a maximum of GEL 7,300, in case of an agricultural cooperative, GEL 14,600. Beneficiaries will also be financed up to 50% of the cost for arranging a well / pumping station, but not more than 15,000 GE, in case of cooperatives with agricultural status - not more than 60% but not more than 18,000 GEL.
Laurel have been added to the list of crops planted under the program “Plant the Future” in response to high demand from the population.