2020-06-10
Agriculture in Georgia is the sector, which may not only feed this country, but have an export potential as well. It was announced by Giorgi Gakharia, Prime Minister of Georgia at a meeting with farmers held today at a nursery in Nikozi village of Shida Kartli region.
As noted by the Head of Government of Georgia, it is not easy, but agriculture should get industrialized.
"It is the best example of what can be achieved through labor and how a person can serve the motherland, especially here. These are not grandiloquent words. In recent days I have been hearing such wailing from such strong and healthy young men in the city about no tourists in the country, worried about their future and asking for help and support. In real terms, everyone should remember that a young man with strength and energy can always do what Giorgi is doing, if willing and feeling justice and dignity.
I was visiting the apple orchards 6 months ago, which are superbly done. We sat and talked a lot there as well, took plenty of good decisions and agreed on many things. Those who want to work, will always be able to do so, irrespective of the hard conditions witnessed in the country and without any wailing and blaming onto others. This man, similar to you, is a role model of what can be done in truly difficult times. Sometimes it is hard to explain to a person that an epidemic is a big risk in such weather and in such region. We have a lot of other challenges and should always remember that it is no fun at all. If we do something nowadays and have results, it is great merits to the joint effort and we should continue in the same manner. The more we protect each other and adhere to the rules, the better chances will exist for slowly revitalizing the economy and agriculture in the first instance. Everyone saw that at the dawn of the crisis, Minister of Agriculture had to make a stock of food to make sure that we remained self-sufficient if neighbors and all other countries that supply us with commodities stopped supplies and said that export was over. Agriculture of Georgia is the sector, which may not only feed the country, but have an export potential as well. It is not easy, land parcels are fragmented and some areas experience problems with water supply, some are challenged with a lack of knowledge. Agriculture should get industrialized and it will not happen overnight, but Giorgi is a good example of what may be done and serves as a role model for young people to do the same, similar to this man, who is effectively and fruitfully doing his job and results are obvious" noted the Prime Minister of Georgia.
According to the Head of Government of Georgia, responsible authorities have to focus on the resources available in a small country to be most fairly distributed to every individual, who need it.
"Agriculture is the sector, which essentially requires support in economic terms and farmers need support of course to sustain ourselves and maintain what we have. In a year, when everything will resume, we should keep in shape and be ready again" noted the Prime Minister of Georgia.
Head of Government of Georgia explained why agriculture is supported in the second place after tourism amidst the pandemic. It has a simple explanation in his words.
"Tourism is understandable. First blow was felt by tourism. Second one hit agriculture as production of apples, hazelnuts, grapes for wine, cucumbers and tomatoes was planned and everything was linked with a high demand on food due to the flourishing tourism, but now people fail to travel. Budget allocation in support of the agriculture sector is about 300 000 000 GEL. I understand that much more is needed, but a government and decent, responsible authority aims at a very simple goal - resources available in a small country with a fragile economy, should be divided in a most fair manner to all those who need it. I understand that 300 000 000 GEL and even 600 000 000 GEL is required and may well be utilized. It is at least what we can do today and what should give us an opportunity of sustaining ourselves, continuing work and getting prepared for a better time, which will definitely come. This support had several reasons. First of all, we pushed for making the fuel cheaper. It is a big topic and neither it will come overnight, however gradually everyone - every business owner in the country - should get used to the State providing support to the agriculture sector first of all. It is a horizontal support by making fuel cheaper similar to the vouchers per hectare of land. It is a good topic as well. We should use it well. Almost 27 000 farmers have already benefited of it, similar to the Agri-Insurance. Such support will be provided by the Government of Georgia. I remember it well that we were sitting in the apple orchard, when a clever man suggested funding a well to pump water, when we were financing only sprinkle drop water system. We did it. We accepted 2-3 ideas from that meeting and we soon allocated financing for drilling a well and sprinkle drop water system. Person, who has orchards and sprinkle system, but no well to pump water for the trees, where should he find water? One clever farmer told us this and we allocated funding. We wish to get the same outcome from this meeting. Anything else will be wailing: please help me; what am I supposed to do; when will tourists come to the country; when will this get corrected; please waive me all taxes; I do not want to pay any taxes; etc." stated the Prime Minister of Georgia.
According to him, State is obliged to help everyone in need of support, while a healthy and educated, skilled person should have conditions to primarily help himself and then others.
"State is obliged and bears a social responsibility to primarily help the socially vulnerable people and all those who are in need. Healthy, educated, skilled people should have conditions to primarily help themselves, generate income for the household and then care for others as well" noted the Prime Minister of Georgia when meeting farmers in Shida Kartli.
According to the Head of Government of Georgia, it is very well demonstrated by Giorgi Mchedlishvili, owner of Nikozi Nursery.
"It is a proper approach and Giorgi serves as a role model of this. Thank you all for coming here. As we collected one or two sound ideas from apple orchards the other day, when we asked you to name an issue and solution that I could set in motion. That is all. Now, be short and precise. If you need support to go through this season and to enter 2021 with a stronger economic position, I can take some effective and realistic steps, rather than considering craving for tax waivers, which is easier than nothing. We should understand in real terms that this year till its very end will be quite challenging" noted the Prime Minister of Georgia.
As stated by the Head of Government of Georgia, irrespective of the fact that the country is managing the epidemic, it is still subject to great risk factors and permanent screening is essential for the quick identification of cases of infection.
"Irrespective of the fact that we are managing the epidemic, we are still subject to great risks. We are managing the spread in terms of its pace and penetration, though if we fail to streamline it well and if we fail to create the due infrastructure in a quick and efficient manner for express detection, i.e. we should have quick mechanisms of testing in the country, we should have a permanent screening, permanent testing at sites of high risk to make sure that infection is detected quickly. Then the Ministry of Health should be ready to treat them quickly and return the recovered individuals to their workstations and economy: farmer to an orchard, handyman to a factory; scientist to a research institute, pupil to school and civil servant to the service for the welfare of people. It should all be done within 4-5 months, as nobody knows what will happen in future. Sophisticated states that spend more on science sometimes say that a second wave is expected, while at other occasions they say that a vaccine will come out in 5 months or that uncertainties will exist for 2 more years. Uncertainty - great uncertainty - is the greatest feature of this crisis" noted the Prime Minister of Georgia.
Head of Government of Georgia noted that health of citizens will not be placed under a question mark in any case, not even at the expense of high proceeds from tourism.
"We will by no means place the health of our citizens under a question mark by accepting tourists. It is most important of all. Leaving everything aside, import of infection through tourism may be very costly for the country and tourism will lose its value. Thus, to secure the country from epidemic risks and to recover the economy, only prudent, cautious and balanced steps may be made. This is the only opportunity to reach a peaceful end by being cautious and prudent. Georgia is one of the best examples of addressing this challenge step by step, with caution and in a safe manner by caring for people. All of this should be maintained and we should not chase ideas containing high risk factors" added the Prime Minister of Georgia.
In the opinion of the Head of Government of Georgia, country had reached an agreement to accept tourists from Israel, but epidemic situation deteriorated a week ago there.
"We have brought an agreement with Israel to completion on accepting tourists from there. I personally spoke with the Prime Minister of Israel and we had agreed to run the first flights. July 1 was the date set for re-opening. Israel was the first opportunity to make it happen earlier. However, epidemic outbreak occurred there a week ago and thousands of people are being placed in the quarantine" added the Prime Minister of Georgia.
Head of Government of Georgia elaborated on the significance of re-opening the tourism sector and urged the citizens of Georgia to travel domestically.
"Of course, domestic tourism will be re-opened from June 15, 2020 and Georgians should travel primarily within the country. We have so many places we have not seen before and sometimes it is a shame. Now we have an opportunity to travel throughout the country and see all those places that deserve to be seen and we are obliged to see them and show them to our children. We should then get better prepared to more efficiently and joyfully welcome foreign visitors" concluded the Prime Minister of Georgia when meeting local farmers in Shida Kartli.
Press Service of the Government Administration