Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia

print

share

Launching of the VCA4D Study on Freshwater Aquaculture in Georgia

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (MEPA) and the EU Delegation to Georgia organized the launching of a value chain analysis on freshwater aquaculture. This study will be performed in the framework of the Value Chain Analysis for Development Project (VCA4D). 

Both MEPA and the EU are keen to boost their cooperation on freshwater aquaculture, as a new strategy and actions are foreseen to its support, with the view of expanding its sustainable growth. The virtual kick off allowed to introduce the VCA4D team of experts to the relevant national institutions and the EU. 

The meeting was opened by Ms Nino Tandilashvili, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, by Mr Georges Dehoux, from the EU Delegation to Georgia and by Mr Matthew Brooke from the European Commission. During the kick-off meeting, the actors shared their knowledge on the status of the value chain (VC) and on the challenges ahead and discussed on the specific questions and information needed, and on building a platform to collaborate throughout the entire process of the study.  The parties underlined the importance of aquaculture and noted the steps already taken and planned by Georgia in this direction, including the Law of Georgia on Aquaculture, which was approved by the Parliament of Georgia in 2020. In addition, it was noted that the Ministry is developing by-laws.  It is also planned to develop a strategic document in the field of aquaculture and create a basis for attracting investment. The Deputy Minister thanked the EU for its support over the years and expressed hope that fruitful cooperation would be continued in the future.

Georgia has a high availability of freshwaters, which represent an opportunity for the aquaculture sector, offering options for diversification and local value chain development, in particular for smallholder farmers and cooperatives. Georgia still being a net fish importer, an increase in aquaculture production would be positive for its food security. Moreover, the EU-Georgia Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA)provides new export opportunities for aquaculture products.  

The kick-off meeting marked the beginning of the VCA4D process. The next steps will be the missions of the VCA4D team to the country in the spring 2021 and then the drafting and presentation of the final report, expected in June/July 2021.  The VCA4D study of freshwater aquaculture in Georgia will be performed by a team of four international and national experts.

VCA4D is an EU funded project implemented by Agrinatura, a grouping of European Universities and Research centres specialised in agricultural research for development with more than 35 members across Europe. 

VCA4D realizes value chains analyses from the economic, social and environmental point of view, to produce evidence-based knowledge about the growth, inclusiveness and sustainability of agricultural and fisheries value chains. This interdisciplinary and mostly quantitative information is to be used by decision makers in their policies, programmes and dialogue. Up-to-now, 40 studies have been realising or are ongoing across the globe. 

For more information on the EUD – MEPA cooperation you can consult the EU page at https://eu4georgia.ge/
For more information on the project and the studies already performed by the VCA4D project you can check the VCA4D page or contact the Project Management Unit (PMU) at the VCA4D email address vca4d@agrinatura-eu.eu