2019-05-11
Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Region has unique potential for becoming a successful region in agricultural production, Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze stated in his speech at the Agro Investment Business Forum in Zugdidi.
According to Mamuka Bakhtadze, the business forum is a significant precondition for achieving more in agriculture.
"As we were launching various agricultural programs, we heard a lot of groundless criticism arguing that it would be a waste of money, that agriculture had no prospects in Georgia. The results, however, have proved us right. A few years ago, our agricultural trade deficit was 900 million, but we have succeeded in cutting it down to 300 million. I am convinced that we will be able not only to replace import, but also to transform Georgia into a successful agricultural product exporter. To this end, we must take more effective steps. Last year, our agricultural export was one billion GEL. We would have been even more successful if it were not for the greatest challenge and problem posed by stink bugs that have devastated this region. Many farmers found themselves facing this great challenge," Mamuka Bakhtadze stated.
According to Bakhtadze, there is no effective experience in fighting against stink bugs in Georgia or even globally.
"Ober this period, we have agreed on an effective mechanism together with you and based on your recommendations. We have decupled our means for combatting stink bugs. This year will prove a turning point convincing all of us that we will solve this problem once and for all. The Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Region has immense potential for becoming successful in agricultural production," Mamuka Bakhtadze said.
The Government of Georgia, the Prime Minister emphasized, plans maximally to support organic, ecologically clean production.
"Step by step, we will abolish taxes for entrepreneurs engaged in ecologically clean, organic production. The world must come to know us as a country manufacturing ecologically clean products, and that is what will help us defat poverty and to advance Georgia's sector of agriculture to a new level of development. I have listened to many recommendations from farmers in Zugdidi and other regions of Samegrelo, and it is based on these recommendations that we have announced a new initiative, Plant the Future, raising the upper limit of co-financing from 100,000 to 250,000 GEL, so that each of you may have an opportunity to further to develop your business. We have taken these recommendations into account, and the berries program will expand to cover every region. It is important to me that, in recent years, we have revived the significant potential of tea production. A decision has been made further to enhance support in this direction," the Head of Government emphasized.
According to Mamuka Bakhtadze, Samegrelo boasts unique grape varieties but, until now, there has been no program to tap into this potential.
"A decision has been made to increase support for viticulture as well. We will do everything fully to tap into the region's agricultural production. That is the right way to make sure that Georgian farmers are successful, that Georgia is successful, and we will take principled steps toward overcoming poverty. Without overcoming poverty, Georgia cannot be successful, and this sector bears enormous responsibility in this regard," Mamuka Bakhtadze said.
The Head of Government underlined the priority status of regional development, also stating that strong regions equal a strong and prosperous Georgia.
"The implementation of imprudent policies resulted in a national economic structure with 2/3 of the economy concentrated in a handful of cities. I have a simple question for our opponents. With regional development out of the picture, are there any areas we can develop with the engagement of all our citizens? How can anyone imagine Georgia's success without it? It is impossible! That is why we say that regional development, with special emphasis on agriculture, is the only way to ensure Georgia's success. Strong Samegrelo and string regions stand for a strong and prosperous Georgia," Mamuka Bakhtadze stated.
The forum's participants were also addressed by Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Levan Davitashvili, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee for Agriculture Otar Danelia, and Governor of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Region Alexandre Motzerelia. The Agro Investment Business Forum in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Region, which brings together 250 participants from the region's business community, has been initiated by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.
Prime Minister's Press Office