Georgian Deputy Minister tells COP29 high-tech agro-food systems “key in combating climate change”

Nino Tandilashvili, the Georgian Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, on Wednesday highlighted the importance of high-tech agro-food systems in “effectively addressing climate change” in comments at the ongoing 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, adding  integration of climate-smart technologies into the country’s agricultural sector was a “key focus” for the Ministry.

Speaking at the Conference,  Tandilashvili highlighted ongoing initiatives by the Rural Development Agency of Georgia, designed to foster adoption of green technologies in the sector.

She singled out the  Innovative Technologies Grant Programme initiative, which aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of farmers across the country. Tandilashvili also underscored the Government’s commitment to strengthening irrigation systems, noting that sustainable water use was important for both climate resilience and agricultural productivity.

The Deputy Minister noted the Georgian Government had mobilised $300 million in financial resources over the past two years, supported by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, to develop modern irrigation systems.

Georgia is required to adapt agro-food systems to the risks of climate change. The country is developing multi-hazard early warning systems aimed at protecting farmers from various climate-related risks, including floods and landslides. This system also includes drought forecasting and provides essential information to farmers”, Tandilashvili said.

The Government supports the introduction and implementation of modern technologies in agro-food systems through various initiatives. We recognise there is still much work to be done, and we express our readiness to enhance our efforts”, she added.

The Conference, organised by the secretariat of the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, featured high-ranking delegates from around the globe, including from Georgia.