EU, FAO, Ministry of Agriculture unlock 3.2 mln GEL in funding to assist farmers during coronavirus crisis in Georgia
Until 30 May, the Emergency Response Programme is open to all farmers who want to grow vegetables, roots, tubers and berries in Georgia with drip irrigation technologies. Photo: EU Delegation to Georgia.
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Farmers in 22 municipalities of Georgia will have the opportunity to obtain co-financing under a 3.2 million GEL (about $1m/€0.92m) grant programme offered by the European Union (EU), the Agriculture Ministry of Georgia and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for the purchase and installation of modern drip irrigation systems.
Until 30 May, the Emergency Response Programme is open to all farmers who want to grow vegetables, roots, tubers and berries in Georgia with drip irrigation technologies.
The EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Harzell posted on Twitter:
Food security is key. #EU w/ @FAO+@agricultureGEO launch over GEL 3.2 million in grants to quickly help Georgian farmers increase their vegetable production.
— Carl Hartzell (@CarlHartzellEU) May 15, 2020
➡️https://t.co/yAwsJmtWA7#EU4Georgia #StrongerTogether #TeamEurope pic.twitter.com/r9c2KtUvTQ
The grants can be obtained by farmers in the municipalities of Lagodekhi, Kvareli, Gurjaani, Dedoplistskaro, Signagi, Tetritskaro, Marneuli, Bolnisi, Tsalka, Dmanisi, Gardabani, Akhalkalaki, Ninotsminda, Borjomi, Akhaltsikhe, Aspindza, Kazbegi, Dusheti, Keda, Khelvachauri, Khulo and Shuakhevi.
The programme will cover 75% of the total investment, including installation costs for drip irrigation solutions. The grant amount for each beneficiary is limited up to $5,000 (equivalent in Georgian lari).
We are still on time to support the Georgian farmers during this season, and the installation of irrigation solutions will allow them to increase their production of vegetables and other crops, and to ensure that Georgia will better cope with any negative impact that may come as a result of the COVID pandemic”, said Javier Sanz Alvarez, Coordinator of FAO-EU Projects in Georgia.
Georgian Deputy Agriculture Minister Khatia Tsilosani said that the Georgian government is collaborating with the EU and partner organisations to support the continuous progress of rural and agricultural development in the country.
Today, the whole world including Georgia is facing economic challenges caused by COVID-19 pandemic. We are working hard to prevent a food crisis in the country. Our ministry, with support from partners and donors managed to reflect required changes in the ongoing programmes. We will support Georgian farmers to implement the projects which will ensure uninterrupted agricultural activities and increased food production in the country," Tsilosani said.
This new programme is part of the EU’s broader grant initiative supporting Georgian farmers with matching production grants, the total of which amounts to more than 19 million GEL (about $5.91m/€5.45m). The initiative is implemented under the European Neighbourhood Programme for Agricultural and Rural Development (ENPARD).