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‘’Minister’s Hour’’ Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Levan Davitashvili presents a report at the hearing session of the Cabinet of Ministers, Parliament of Georgia
"We have adopted a law on agricultural cooperatives. The agency is created, under which the cooperatives are established. At present, the number of cooperatives has increased up to 1000, this is a qualitatively new form of activities; We should strengthen cooperatives not just increasing the number but to create a model similar to European countries "said Levan Davitashvili.
1111 agricultural cooperatives are registered in Georgia under the state programs, which facilitate rapid development of cooperatives. 10 Agricultural cooperatives are involved in the State Program to Support Dairy Production Agricultural Cooperatives.
More than 210 share holders are engaged in agricultural cooperatives, which own more than 2,000 cattle and have an opportunity to produce dairy products that meet the European standards.
10 agricultural cooperatives have been involved in the state program for promoting viticulture agricultural cooperatives, which combines 204 share holders and 219 ha of vineyards.
5 Grape processing companies are already launched, the construction of 5 enterprises will be completed this year. In 2018, 10 agricultural cooperatives were engaged in the program for rational use of state-owned hayfields and pastures, which embraces more than 300 share holders and owns 2200 cattle.
Under the state program for rational use of state-owned hayfields and pastures, the above mentioned cooperatives will be provided with the agricultural equipment to produce animal feed from raw agricultural products. Agricultural technique will be granted under the lease for the term of 25 years.
The dairy receiving-processing enterprise was built in the administrative unit of Dusheti municipality, which will be equipped with modern standards and will process 1,5 tonnes of milk daily.
Registration of international standards and branding is underway in the agricultural cooperatives. The above mentioned state program includes financial support for the implementation of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) System for agricultural cooperatives, the preparation of marketing materials for them and branding.
"If we do not create amelioration infrastructure, we can not maintain soil fertility and we won’t be able to increase agricultural crops or production. We can not make plans for cultivation of perennial crops, without irrigation we won’t be able to plant or grow agricultural crops "said Levan Davitashvili.
Moreover, rehabilitation works of amelioration infrastructure are underway to increase agricultural land fund. The regulation of amelioration systems promotes the development of agricultural sector, thus contributing by improving and increasing the average agricultural yield productivity.
In 2012-2018, 252 rehabilitation projects were implemented throughout Georgia. As a result of the measures taken during the last 6 years, 127,000 hectares of agricultural land is and 38,000 hectares of agricultural land is drained.
In 2019, 53 transitional rehabilitation projects for construction and rehabilitation of amelioration infrastructure will be started. Rehabilitation works will be carried out at about 374 objects.
Foreign Direct Investment is one of the steady sources of investment. We need more and more investments in agriculture to reach the modernization and strategic goals. Furthermore, we should build the right investment climate.
"I think, that organic law that regulates the right to ownership over the land and state policy towards the ownership of agricultural land can be assessed as positive, as it will further attract investments in the agricultural sector. Moreover, the responsibility taken towards the population of our country to maintain agricultural land is also envisaged by the law and space is also permitted for foreigners participating in various forms, which might be considered as a proper and balanced approach, "said Levan Davitashvili.
• "We launched the project to promote mechanization, which includes 50% co-financing of all farmers who are interested in agriculture" said Levan Davitashvili.
According to the Minister, one of the most important problems is the absence of farming equipment in rural areas. In 2018, Ministry started financing mechanization with specific tools such as agricultural credit and leasing system to solve this problem „სურსათის
"The control is enhanced in the field of food safety - in the consumer market and public nutrition units. According to the existing data, the scope of the control has been increased and in line with the increased control, the violations of law are significantly decreased, "said Levan Davitashvili while addressing the MP’s.
Due to the increased public interest, the Minister drew his attention to the drinking water samples and highlighted results obtained from the field research and noted, that a large number of samples are taken annually.
"The existing violations are related to the challenges faced by the government, regarding rehabilitation of water supply system. We are working closely with the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure "- noted Levan Davitashvili.
In terms of veterinary care, tendency is significantly improved in recent years and Georgia is an exemplary country in the region that is recognized by the World Health Organization.
• The complex systems are introduced to ensure traceability for animal origin food, to protect our customers, to produce harmless products and allow them to have an access in the international markets. We plan to implement a pilot project in the regional context, within which Racha-Lechkhumi-Kvemo Svaneti and Mestia will be declared as disease free zones "- said Levan Davitashvili.
• Levan Davitashvili: "Asian stink bug still remains a big challenge and Georgian Government will take large scale of measures in this regard. Compared to 2017, we had significant improvements in 2018, we have accumulated experience and improved field work. "
In 2019, we have developed new approaches that will ultimately lead us to success was noted by the Minister, who also stressed challenges faced by the hazelnut sector, which are complex and related to various diseases. According to Levan Davitashvili, the Ministry is actively working with the Hazelnut Association of Georgia and special groups equipped with knowledge, chemicals, technical equipment are created through co-financing to help farmers receive high quality crop.
Moreover, important steps were taken in 2018 against locust, boxwood fungal disiases and American white butterfly, which helped to preserve and protect the green cover and avoid economic damage.
The Minister also stressed the importance of quality control of pesticides and agrochemicals in the sales market.