Finance Minister signs €70mln deal with French Development Agency to develop irrigation, agriculture

Georgian Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili on Monday signed a €70 million framework agreement with the French Development Agency for developing irrigation systems for agriculture across the country.

The Ministry of Finance said half of the amount would be spent on tasks including modernisation of the Zemo Samgori irrigation channel in the capital city of Tbilisi, and increasing effective production of quality agricultural produce.

It will also be used to fund improving availability of food for the local population and competitiveness of Georgian products on regional markets, as well as implementing a sustainable irrigation system in response to climate change challenges.

The other half will be used for a budget support programme for the state policy for sustainable and inclusive management of irrigation resources, strengthening of the policy and institutional framework to ensure integration of climate-smart practices in agriculture and water management, and improving governance and risk management of Georgian Reclamation, an organisation specialising in water supply for homes and business facilities.