Agriculture Minister says USAID programme benefited over 1,000 enterprises in Georgia

Otar Shamugia, the Minister of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, on Wednesday said the United States Agency for International Development’s Agriculture Programme had benefited over 1,000 enterprises in Georgia.

Speaking at a summary event of the Programme’s activities in the country, Shamugia said it had ensured introduction of international food safety standards in Georgia. 

Enterprises have significantly increased production and sales both within the country and on export markets. The development of agriculture is one of the Government’s priorities. This year, in support of our farmers and entrepreneurs, we are implementing about 15 projects, which cover virtually the entire spectrum of the value chain”, Shamugia said.

Robin Dunnigan, the US Ambassador, said her country had invested about $6 billion for Georgia during the past 32 years.

Within the programme, 6,000 jobs have been created. The programme had an impact on the improvement of the lives of 100,000 people and at the same time, on the development of the agricultural sector”, she said.

Levan Davitashvili, the First Vice Prime Minister and Economy Minister, said agricultural products worth about $150 million had been exported as a result of the programme.

The Programme was implemented by the international non-profit organisation Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture over five and a half years, with its budget totalling $26.88 million.