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Closing ceremony of the USAID 5-year project (REAP)

The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Levan Davitashvili attended the official closing ceremony of USAID 5-year project (REAP). The USAID/Georgia Restoring Efficiency to Agriculture Production (REAP) project aimed at strengthening agribusiness in Georgia. By means of the project, the farmers were provided with grants and technical assistance.

 The Minister gave a positive evaluation to 5 year cooperation and noted, that, under the frame of the project Georgian farmers have an access to modern technologies and modern knowledge. "This is a good example of successful cooperation between the state and private sector, which was established by means of an international donor funded project. Within 5 years we built a collaborative, successful work environment. With the help of this project, Georgian farmers have increased the quality of their products and have an access to international markets "said Levan Davitashvili.

 The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture thanked the representatives of the USAID for their assistance in the fight against the brown marmorated stink bug. "I should admit challenges we faced in recent times, including invasion of a brown marmorated stink bug. The USAID was the first to assist in this regard.

 This challenge still remains a serious threat in the agricultural sector of many countries. We have achieved good results through your project. I think this year we have managed to control the pest population and we will be able to save a large part of agricultural crops " - said Levan Davitashvili.

 The REAP project includes two components - grant and technical assistance. Under the frame of the Reap project 6 mln grant was allocated to facilitate Georgian agro-production and promote partnership with 70 agribusinesses. The project also included active cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Agricultural Projects Management Agency, Cooperative Development Agency. By means of this project Georgian farmers have an opportunity to increase the quality of their products and enter the international markets.

 The USAID Deputy Mission Director Thomas R. Morris, Head of the USAID Economic Office and staff members, representatives of Georgian agro-business and various international organizations attended the event.