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New Project worth two million euros to support rural and agricultural development in Georgia
The new project for rural and agricultural development is launched by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) will allocate two million euros for financing the project, which aims to develop rural development policy in Georgia, improve value chain, sustainable use of natural resources and support environmentally friendly agricultural activities.Â
The First Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Giorgi Khanishvili opened the event. In his welcome speech, the First Deputy Minister underlined the importance of the project and expressed gratitude to the donor organizations for their support.
"Starting a new project means to support rural and agricultural development in the country. These projects aim to enhance farmers potential and improve competitiveness of the regions. I firmly believe, that new project will be successful and encourage young people to engage themselves in farming activities" said Giorgi Khanishvili.
At the event, the representative of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Mamuka Meskhi and Head of the Office for the South Caucasus Office for Technical Cooperation, Gerhard Schaumberger addressed the participants.
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The new four year project plans to strengthen farmers' information-consulting centers and provide agricultural grants to farmers in particular municipalities in Georgia.
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Oni and Tsageri municipalities in Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti region in west side of Georgia, Khashuri and Gori municipalities in Shida Kartli region were chosen as pilot areas to provide grants for farmers. The project aims to increase farmers competitiveness and reduce climate change related problems caused by farming practices, which is envisaged by Georgia’s national strategy for rural and agricultural Development.
The stakeholders, as well as potential beneficiaries attended the presentation of the project. The event included a workshop, where performance measures and technical issues of the project were discussed by participants.