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

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Otar Shamugia: "The large-scale project implemented by the Government of Georgia in partnership with the World Bank will make an important contribution to the development of irrigation and land management systems in the country."

The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Otar Shamugia, attended the presentation of the "Georgia Resilient Agriculture, Irrigation, and Land Project" (GRAIL). The project, launched by the Government of Georgia in partnership with the World Bank, will promote the adoption of sustainable agriculture and land management practices by improving irrigation systems in Georgia.

Mr.  Shamugia expressed gratitude to the parties involved in the implementation of the project and thanked them for their support.

"The large-scale project implemented by the Government of Georgia in partnership with the World Bank will make an essential contribution to the development of irrigation and land management systems in the country.

The mentioned project also includes the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices and saving water and soil resources. All mentioned above will bring significant results. As we know, one of the priorities of the Georgian government is agricultural development in the country. For this purpose, we have implemented several important projects in the last ten years. Today, more than ten projects are underway to support our farmers, covering almost all value chain links - we help farmers and entrepreneurs in primary production, processing, and entering new markets.

Approximately 20 million GEL will be spent next year to integrate our farmers and entrepreneurs in different markets and promote Georgian products. It is the result of cooperation that increased production and export figures. Last year, we had record indicators in the export of agricultural products. This year, according to the data of 9 months, compared to the previous year, we have about 17-18% growth. We think these data will reflect the results of the state, private, and civil sectors' collaborative efforts and the programs we have been implementing for years," said Mr. Otar Shamugia.

The Minister emphasized the "Georgia Resilient Agriculture, Irrigation, and Land Project" (GRAIL), which is in the completion phase and is also being implemented in cooperation with the World Bank. According to the Minister, the mentioned project has brought significant results - in the part of the rehabilitation of irrigation systems, water supply for farmers has been improved to approximately 17,500 ha.

Regional Director of the World Bank in the South Caucasus, Mrs. Rolande Pryce, noted that joint and coordinated action is essential to improve the agricultural sector in the country.

"We expect that an integrated approach to agriculture, irrigation, and land management will bring significant economic growth to Georgia, reduce poverty, and create additional jobs. We believe that the collaboration between 
the Ministries of Environmental Protection and  Agriculture, and  Finance, and House of Justice is crucial, as previous experience has shown us, it will bring positive results", said Mrs. Rolande Pryce.

The "Georgia Resilient Agriculture, Irrigation, and Land Project" (GRAIL) amounts to 150 million USD, and the project is financed equally by the Government of Georgia and the World Bank.

The Minister of Finance, Mr.  Lasha Khutsishvili; First Deputy Minister of Justice, Mrs.  Tamar Tkeshelashvili; Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr.  Tengiz Nasaridze, and representatives of relevant services included in the Ministry's system attended the presentation.