Swine farms and smoked ham production facilities launched in Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti
First Deputy Minister of Agriculture Nodar Kereselidze, FAO’s Assistant Representative in Georgia, Mamuka Meskhi, and Head of Office of the donor organisation Austrian Development Agency, Gerhard Schaumberger visited swine farms and smoked ham production facilities built by FAO for farmers in Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti. FAO financed 60 beneficiaries to support agricultural development in Racha. In addition to modern facilities for smoking ham and pig production, farmers were provided with agricultural tools and equipment. Wine producers, mushroom producers, beekeepers and woodworkers who make agricultural tools were among the beneficiaries who received financing.
After visiting the farms, the guests attended an exhibition and tasted agricultural products in Ambrolauri. The exhibition was organized by the project beneficiaries. At the exhibition, a video on the project beneficiaries was shown. In this video young people living in Racha speak about the difficulties of rural life and their plans for the future.
This project was implemented by FAO and financed by Austrian Development Agency. The project, in addition to direct financial aid, aims to support rural development in Georgia, which is one of the priority directions of the Ministry of Agriculture.