Foreign Aid

5) Updated Animal Identification and Traceability System now fully operational

December 4th, 2020, http://www.fao.org/georgia/news/detail-events/en/c/1339152/

The National Animal Identification and Traceability System (NAITS), which records information regarding large and small ruminants and their keepers all around the country, has been updated and is now fully operational. The animal identification and registration program initially launched in 2012 but was redesigned and re-developed in 2015 as part of an initiative of the Swiss Development Agency (SDC), the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) and the Food and the Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The updated program saves reduces paper records, thereby saving time and other resources. The program also serves as an important part of the food safety chain puzzle as it guarantees the traceability of animal and animal origin products in a prompt and timely manner.

6) EU, FAO grants bolster food production and security

December 14th, 2020, http://enpard.ge/en/eu-fao-support-georgian-farmers-bolster-food-production-security-covid-19/

The European Union (EU), Food and the Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture have teamed up to provide 46 grants (worth nearly GEL 1.5 million in total) to support Georgian farmers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants were awarded to farmers in 12 municipalities of Georgia for the procurement of drip irrigation kits and other agricultural equipment. This initiative was part of broader EU support for Georgian farmers and was implemented within the European Neighborhood Program for Agricultural and Rural Development (ENPARD).

7) United States to assist in implementation of agricultural projects

December 15th, 2020, https://cbw.ge/economy/usa-to-assist-georgia-in-implementing-agricultural-projects

Deputy Agriculture Minister Nino Tandilashvili and Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of Commerce David de Falco met online to discuss the agricultural development of Georgia, including prospects for the introduction of U.S. technologies in the agricultural sector and the work of the SABIT program (which was organized by the United States Department of Commerce). The two sides also agreed that the United States will be active is assisting Georgia in the implementation of agricultural projects.

8) EU, UNDP launch new COVID-19 grant program to support rural businesses

December 16th, 2020, http://enpard.ge/en/eu-undp-help-rural-businesses-respond-pandemic-crisis/

Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) have revisited their agenda of interventions and projects designed to assist businesses and promote employment in rural Georgia. In particular, they have launched a joint GEL 9 million rural development grant program. Under the program, grants will provide up to 80% of the costs of approved investments that will help rural businesses survive and rebuild during the pandemic and post-pandemic periods.