Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture David Songulashvili Visits Fish Farm in the Village of Vakijvari, Ozurgeti Municipality.

Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr.  David Songulashvili, visited a fish farm in the village of Vakijvari, Ozurgeti Municipality, where he observed the production process and met with local farmers engaged in the fisheries sector.

 

LLC “Vakijvris Kalmakhi” is a beneficiary of the Rural Development Agency and has repeatedly benefited from the “Preferential Agrocredit” program. The company, with an annual production capacity of approximately 200 tonnes of trout, currently employs 40 people. The fresh fish is sold through retail chains and supermarkets.

 

Since 2013, within the framework of the “Preferential Agrocredit” project, over 1,694 loans amounting to more than GEL 155 million have been issued to support the development of the fisheries sector, with the Rural Development Agency’s co-financing exceeding GEL 23 million. Specifically, in the Guria region, loans totaling GEL 20 million have been issued, with the Agency’s co-financing amounting to approximately GEL 2 million.

 

 The Minister emphasized that maximizing the nation’s agricultural potential is a state priority. Targeted programs are designed to assist farmers and entrepreneurs in starting or expanding their agricultural operations.

The Minister was accompanied by Deputy Minister, Mr. Kakha Kakabadze, State Representative in the Guria Region, Mr. Giorgi Gurjumelidze, Deputy Head of the National Food Agency, Mr. Giorgi Iakobashvili, Acting Director of Rural Development, Mr. Giorgi Avaliani, and representatives of local self-governments.