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" We have not changed our strategic directions - we have always supported local manufacturing and production " stated Levan Davitashvili
We have not changed our strategic directions - we have always supported local manufacturing and production. Thereby, increasing productivity and competitiveness have always been the main directions of our strategies, which are already approved and being implemented by the Ministry through state programs.
The Ministry is pursuing action plans, which take an essential part in the strategy implementation process. The programs implemented by the Ministry are funded from the state budget. A few days ago we presented an additional aid package in response to the crisis. We have repeatedly stated and today, the Prime Minister of Georgia has declared, that the crisis caused by the pandemic should be turned into opportunities.
Many of our fellow citizens returned to the rural areas and started taking farming activities, however, the shift in the structure of an economic system of the country is obvious. The great number of economic activities were limited at almost all levels within society and we had limited mobility, although, due to objective reasons, even in strict quarantine conditions, the farming activities were allowed not only in Georgia, but in all countries across the world.
From an epidemiological point of view, taking farming works in an open space is less risky, on the other hands, our citizens, who legally own agricultural land plots will take advantage of opportunities to further expand their farming activities. Therefore, we give them new opportunities. We believe, that it is logical and in line with the policy we are implementing in the country. We will continue to support our strategic directions - increase competitiveness of farmers, pursue more commercialization and cooperation to make them more competitive and sustainable. Furthermore, we still set focus on the high value crops intending for export. The Ministry has not made any changes in the programs in this direction. The focus will be set on the major areas of horticulture, which has been intensively funding by the state in recent years.
Multimillion-dollar revenue will be generated, including an income derived from export, which will further facilitate to the economic growth of our country in the near future. We will soon see the revenue and income derived from newly built, modern, intensive gardens that enjoy state support and co-financing.
The crisis will pass and the world economy will come out of recession, the demand for these high-value crops will return. Moreover, the forecast for 2020 is very good for hazelnut crops, which has been almost a third leading agri-food export products making a much of export potential of our country. This year, government’s large support package invisages this area as well”said the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Levan Davitashvili.