Georgian Agriculture Minister nominee highlights Govt’s “result-oriented steps” for promoting sector

David Songulashvili, the Chair of the Parliament's Sectoral Economy and Economic Policy Committee who on Monday was nominated for the post of the country’s Minister of Environment and Agriculture, on Wednesday highlighted the Government's “result-oriented steps” to foster agricultural development over the past 12 years.

In his remarks at a joint meeting of parliamentary committees, Songulashvili emphasised the importance of agriculture and rural development as “one of the important links” in the country's economy, and noted introduction of modern technologies and sharing of international practices “directly affect the well-being of the population”.

The official also noted 47,000 beneficiaries had received loans totalling ₾6.5 billion ($2,38 bln) under the preferential agrocredit state programme, while over 400 processing enterprises and storage facilities had been established.

He added 7,500 units of equipment had been financed with ₾120 million ($43 mln), with new orchards were planted across 23,600 hectares following an investment of ₾360 million ($131 mln).