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The Anti-crisis plan submitted by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture was approved at the government session
A number of programs submitted by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture as part of an anti-crisis plan was approved at today’s government session.
"Firstly, farmers are getting concessions for their loans taken from Georgian Amelioration Ltd until 2020, besides, they will be completely exempted from ongoing irrigation and drainage service fees on up to 10 hectares of land areas.
Second is the state program, which provides a support for agricultural production; This is a new resolution of Georgian government, a new project providing a grant for small and medium scale farmers, which hopefully will be continued in the future as well to strengthen the capacity of farmers. Georgian farmers should have an access to modern technology, which enable them to increase competitiveness. They need to modernize and expand their farms. Mechanization is a key tool for modern farming and is therefore most in demand.
Hereby we are setting focus on a small mechanization, namely, a tractor which has up to 100 horsepower, self-propelled land mowers, hand equipments and farm implements that are very important while taking any types of farming activities. Our co-financing is 50% and for migrant farmers it might even reach 50 000 GEL.
The project also envisages grant co-financing for establishment of small greenhouses; we offer same terms and conditions - 50% and 50,000 GEL co-financing by the state. It is worth mentioning, that this component is not only for startups or new farms, but for modernization, renewal and expansion of existing greenhouses as well.
The third component includes installation of modern irrigation systems for annual crops, we offer them the same terms and conditions of co-financing. We created opportunities for farmers and enabled them to use a working capital for free, furthermore, farmers will receive a significant direct assistance, such as, seed and planting materials, agrochemicals, fertilizers which are widely used in the agricultural production.
Farmers should have an access to important tools and mechanizms, furthermore, we believe, that grant assistance will help farmers to improve their conditions, modernize their farms and increase productivity and competitiveness while producing annual crops, vegetables and cereals.
One of the most important details is related to additional concessions for cooperatives. Cooperatives can receive a grant, not exceeding 500,000 GEL, this is a great incentive to encourage cooperatives and cooperation in the country ”said the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Levan Davitashvili.