BFC Georgian Agriculture Finance Bulletin. Edition #97, September 2020
this, Keti was able to continue supporting four female employees despite rising costs and a devalue currency. But Keti went much further, she decided to allow the four employees to use one of her five greenhouses to grow cucumbers of their own. Moreover, when their first harvest comes, she has promised to help them sell it to give them additional income. She is a true example of neighbor helping neighbor and community bonding.
10) EBRD, FAO initiative to promote agritourism in Georgia September 25th, 2020, https://cbw.ge/economy/ebrd-and-fao-to-assist-georgia-in-agro-tourism
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have put forth a new initiative aimed at promoting agritourism. Under the initiative, a special focus will be placed on the authenticity of a number of national and regional products as well as how they are produced. Products and producers meeting strict qualifications will be able to use a special trademark label of geographic origin and authenticity to distinguish them. As part of the initiative, small companies will also be given assistance in producing higher-quality products and penetrating new markets.
11) UNDP supporting institutional reforms to maximize rural development September 28th, 2020, http://enpard.ge/en/eu-boosts-support-institutional-reforms-rural-development-georgia/
With the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Georgia’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture is undertaking a series of structural and business process changes in order to maximize the impact of the national rural development policy objectives and the European Union (EU) approximation process. This is expected to result in enhanced institutional capacities, specifically through the creation of a managing authority and paying agency for rural development as well through the development of a national training mechanism.
Private Sector 12) Sown area increased this year September 2nd, 2020, https://commersant.ge/en/post/georgias-gross-sown-area-increased-in-2020
In 2020, the area for autumn and spring crops amounts to 208,800 hectares, an increase of 5,800 hectares from 2019. This includes 59,000 hectares for wheat and oats as well as 101,300 hectares for grain, oats, rye, barley, potatoes and vegetables.
13) Apple orchards established on 1,128 hectares under state program September 16th, 2020, https://cbw.ge/economy/apple-gardens-arranged-on-1128-hectares-under-plant-the-future-program
Apple orchards have been set up on 1,128 hectares under the state-run Plant the Future program, which provided GEL 9 million in co-financing to establish the orchards. The government has been promoting the apple sector in recent years, providing subsidies for nonstandard apples. These efforts have resulted in an expected harvest of 120,000 tons this year, up 300% year-on-year.
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