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Otar Shamugia: "Using quality seeds and planting material will help to improve the food safety indicators"
The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Otar Shamugia spoke about the issues related to the establishment of a certification system for seed and planting material, raising the quality level in the local market, and increasing crop productivity, under the framework of the "Minister’s Hour"."Measures will be taken to promote the use of quality seeds and planting material for planting and developing agricultural crops, which will help to improve the food safety indicators. Along with the full implementation of the certification system for seeds and planting material, procedures will be lauched for its recognition in the international trade system, which, along with raising the quality level in the local market, will become a mechanism for attracting exports and investments," Mr. Shamugia said.
 In 2021, greenhouse screen systems in compliance with the international standards were set up at the Jigaura Perennial Crop’s experimental-demonstration base of the Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture, where propagation of selected, promising species of vines and fruit crops has started to obtain the best varieties of vines and fruit crops, and provide the nursery farms with the supply of seeds and seedlings.
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"A well-organized system of certification of seed and planting material provides customers with quality materials, which is an important basis for increasing productivity and export potential, increasing competitiveness, and attracting investment," said the Minister.
Since 2015, the Scientific-Research Center of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture has carried out certification of seeds and planting material in Georgia.
Under the framework of fulfillment of the obligations taken under the EU-Georgia Association Agreement, the seeds and planting material will be subject to mandatory certification in 2024.