2016-06-06
Our government works hard to create favorable environment for developing business oriented sustainable agriculture and to turning Georgia into a leading exporter of agricultural products, - Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili noted in his speech CNFA Conference marking the 10th anniversary of presence of the said organization in Georgia.
Giorgi Kvirikashvili thanked international organization for the continued service the Georgian agriculture industry and assessed the importance of the projects undertaken by the CNFA. Pursuant to him, the organization has been not only a partner, but a true friend to Georgian farmers.
"Over 10 years, Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA) has played a vital role in transforming our country's agriculture. Through the support of the U.S. Government, especially USAID and the Millennium Challenge Corporation, Georgia has had the opportunity of being introduced to organizations like CNFA. When conflict erupted in 2008 with Russia, it was through a USAID program that CNFA offered immediate support. There were thousands of displaced persons and farming came to a halt in the conflict zones. Through the USAID Georgia Agriculture Risk Reduction Program (GARRP), CNFA provided essential assistance to local farmers, helped resettle internally displaced persons (IDPs), and ensured a successful spring crop planting and orchard assistance.
In addition, CNFA operated an electronic voucher card system for orchards, in partnership with Cartu Bank. These cards were distributed to more than 17,000 farmers who were able to purchase more than $5.8 million of plant protection products," - Prime Minister noted.
According to Giorgi Kvirikashvili, in total CNFA supported implementing 8 projects in Georgia. Through USAID and MCC, the US government provided help to more than 430 agricultural enterprises, created over 3,500 jobs and trained more than 140,000 persons.
"Due to this generous assistance, production of agribusiness enterprises, funded in the framework of CNFA projects, exceeded 51 million US dollars.
I am proud of the work that we have been able to do as a result of these kind of partnerships. But I am even more proud to state that CNFA is more than a partner, they are a true friend of Georgia," - was stated by the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister also updated the attendees of the conference on the activities undertaken by the Government of Georgia in the agriculture industry. According to him, over the past four years the Government invested in central features of the agriculture sector. More than 120 irrigation system rehabilitation and renovation projects have been successfully completed. Water supplied agriculture area doubled since 2012.
"After coming to power in 2012, the new government launched new policies for the systematic reform of the agriculture sector, designed to boost exports, create jobs, and increase production. My government works hard to create favorable environment for developing business oriented sustainable agriculture and to turning Georgia into a leading exporter of agricultural products.
Georgia enjoys free trade regimes with the EU, Turkey and the CIS countries. We have completed FTA negotiations with EFTA and are negotiating an FTA with China. This means that Georgia will soon have free excess to more than 2 billion consumers," - Giorgi Kvirikashvili noted.
Prime Minister also outlined the project aimed to foster development of farming cooperatives. Over 800,000 small farmers receive help from state through numerous assistance projects.
"Since 2014 almost 1,400 cooperatives were established with more than 12.000 members.
We have launched Preferential Agro Credit and other co-financing projects to create new enterprises and promote geographic diversification in agricultural sector. 148 new enterprises were established and almost 700 expanded through preferential agro-loans and state has co-funded 28 agri-product enterprises.
Various new projects as "Plant the Future" help to increase the quality of agriculture products by co-financing seeding nurseries and orchards.
A new scientific research center was opened to bring cutting edge research and innovation into local farming practices. To increase local agri-product competitiveness and their compliance with EU standards, a world class phytosanitary laboratory has been recently established.
These are only a few examples of our efforts to revitalize and develop Georgian agriculture. Of course, all this would not have been possible without strong support and dedication of many people sitting in this room. I can say on my government's behalf, that we are ready to work even harder and believe that, together with our international partners, we will make Georgian agriculture a sustainable part of a well-developed economy," - Prime Minister noted.
In his speech Prime Minister congratulated former CNFA President and CEO and current CNFA Board of Directors member John H. Costello on being awarded with the very distinguished Golden Fleece Order from the President of Georgia for his contribution in the development of Georgian agriculture sector. He also thanked former Ministers of Agriculture of Georgia - David Kirvalidze and Shalva Phiphia. He expressed hope that with the support of international partners, Georgian agriculture will become a sustainable part of a well-developed economy.
The opening speech was delivered by the President and the CEO of CNFA Sylvain Roy.
Prime Minister's Press Office