Photo: Goga Chanadiri

Continuous improvement of Georgia’s agriculture, agrifood systems, rural livelihoods, export opportunities, and food safety – responding to climate change, land degradation, biodiversity, and other environmental issues – are among the priorities set out in a new agreement of FAO and Georgia signed here today.

Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Otar Shamugia, together with Raimund Jehle, FAO Representative in Georgia, signed the FAO Country Programming Framework, shaping the development of Georgia’s agrifood systems for the period 2021–2025 and its significant contribution to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within FAO’s new Strategic Framework 2022–2031.

“The war in Ukraine and its regional and global implications put a spotlight on the agrifood systems. The expertise and experience, which FAO makes available through the framework agreement, will support the food systems transformation process in Georgia,” Jehle said.

The new agreement clearly supports smallholders and family farms in developing productivity and competitiveness. The document also points to improved livelihoods, agrifood systems, and targeted support for rural populations, especially for disadvantaged groups, including women and conflict-affected people. FAO will help increase competitiveness of private companies, particularly micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises involved in agriculture and food processing.

“Leaving no one behind by using the potential of agrifood system transformation will be a key principle for support to Georgia,” Jehle added.

FAO will work with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture to help implement the agricultural extension strategy. Farmers, including women and young producers, will benefit from skills development and extension services to improve production.

To enable food safety standards and traceability of agriculture products for better protection of consumers, FAO is ready provide policy support to the ministry. Enhanced export opportunities are also on the list of intended results. FAO will support quality policies and their alignment with international and European Union standards.

As the adaptation to climate change in agriculture is a national priority, FAO is ready to assist the country in enhancing resilience, mitigation, and adaptation to climate change in the agrifood sector through rational and sustainable use of natural resources, reduction of land degradation, and adaptation of climate-smart agricultural practices.

The agreement, drawn up following consultations with ministries and government agencies, benefitted from discussion with key resource partners, including the EU, Austrian Development Agency, and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, as well as development partners, including other United Nations agencies. Representatives of private sector, non-governmental, and civil society organizations also were consulted.

The FAO Country Programming Framework is derived from the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Georgia 2021–2025, which summarizes the partnership of the Government of Georgia and the United Nations. The document contributes to the attainment of the SDGs and realization of Georgia's national development vision.