Georgia’s Agriculture Minister, US Agriculture Department Regional Director discuss cooperation

Otar Shamugia, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia and Michael Francom, the Regional Director of the United States Department of Agriculture, on Thursday discussed topics of agricultural trade, cattle breeding industry and related challenges in a meeting held in Tbilisi. 

The Ministry cited Shamugia as thanking Francom for “years of support” provided by the USDA and praised the “fruitful” cooperation between the Department and the Ministry.

We jointly implement many programmes and have significant results. In agriculture, our priority directions are the support and development of the cattle breeding sector, the promotion of the introduction of modern technologies and food safety standards, and the promotion of agricultural food products”, he said.

Shamugia added the Government’s support of farmers and entrepreneurs with “targeted programmes” would “certainly continue”. 

We are actively working to fulfil the obligations imposed by the Association Agreement [signed between Georgia and the European Union in 2014] in agriculture and environmental protection. After receiving the EU membership candidate status, the support of USDA and our other partners will be even more important”, the Minister said.

At the meeting, Shamugia drew attention to the Kansas State University study Evaluation of Georgia's Wheat Sector, carried out with the support of the USDA, and highlighted the results of the research and existing challenges in wheat production and sale.

In his turn, Francom noted receiving the EU membership candidate status would be an “important step forward” for Georgia and highlighted the country’s role in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route between Southeast Asia and Europe through the South Caucasus.