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FAO organizes the final conference on the third phase of ENPARD
The final conference on the third phase of the European Neighborhood Program for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD), funded by the European Union, was organized by FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations).
The Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mrs. Nino Tandilashvili, and the Program Officer in Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Safety at the European Commission Mr. Georges Dehoux delivered opening remarks at the event.
The results achieved by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)Â
within the framework of the EU-funded ENPARD program, with a total budget of USD 12 mln were presented to the participants.
As stated by the Deputy Minister, the ENPARD program supports the agricultural sector in Georgia to come closer to EU standards and requirements.
"Within the framework of the program, we adopted a strategic document for agriculture and rural development, which is in full compliance with the requirements of the European Union.
With the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), more than 350 farmers have benefited from grant support, which means 40% co-financing for agricultural machinery, access to technology, and adoption of new agricultural practices.
This will help farmers to become competitive, benefit from additional financial resources, and export their products to the European Union market", said the Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mrs. Nino Tandilashvili.
During the event, FAO-EU program coordinator Mr. Javier Sanz Alvarez presented the project summary report.
"‘Within the framework of the ENPARD, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has been successfully promoting the development of the agricultural sector of Georgia since 2013. With fruitful cooperation with key representatives of state structures and the private sector, ’FAO and the European Union have contributed to revealing the full potential of the agricultural sector of Georgia, and emphasized the development of sustainable agri-food systems for local communities by providing technical assistance in improving National Agricultural Policy, improving access to finance for companies and farmers, conducting training for farmers’’ said Mr. Javier Sanz Alvarez.
The participants addressed the core priorities of the sustainable development of the agricultural system under the fourth phase of ENPARD.
Panel discussions included environmental issues and best practices, also investment opportunities under the ENPARD IV.