At the end of 2024, as per tradition, the Rural Development Agency summarizes the outcomes of the programs and projects implemented to support the development of the agricultural sector. The programs and projects carried out in 2024 aim to effectively respond to the needs and challenges of the agricultural sector.

Under the project “Preferential Agro-Credit,” nearly 4,600 beneficiaries were served in 2024 alone. Loans totaling over GEL 857 million were issued. Throughout 2024, a total of 27,558 loans were serviced, with co-financing provided by the agency amounting to GEL 178,550,013, and the number of beneficiaries reaching 156,245. Since 2013, over GEL 7 billion worth of preferential agro-loans have been issued to 47,912 beneficiaries, with state loan interest co-financing exceeding GEL 1 billion.

The program “Plant the Future” is one of the most successful state programs, which contributes to the annual increase in the area of modern orchards. In 2024, funding was provided for planting more than 2,800 hectares of new orchards.

For several years, a state support program has been ongoing to establish storage and processing facilities for agricultural products. Since the program’s inception, funding has been provided for the creation of 270 processing plants and storage facilities. In 2024, funding decisions were made for the establishment of 14 new processing plants and storage facilities.

It is no surprise that the demand for agricultural mechanization from the private sector remains high. In 2024, more than 300 pieces of equipment were funded under the cooperatives’ mechanization and harvesting program, with the value of the acquired equipment exceeding GEL 31 million.

Hazelnuts are one of the key export products, with over 70% of their exports going to the European Union. Hazelnuts serve as a significant source of income for thousands of families. Therefore, the government supports the hazelnut sector. Nationwide, 90,000 growers registered over 44,000 hectares of hazelnut orchards in the hazelnut cadastre. Farmers received approximately GEL 21 million in targeted assistance.

In 2024, we launched four new programs: a pilot program to promote agricultural production on irrigated land in selected regions, the “Georgian Vegetables from Greenhouses” program to support primary production, a beekeeping support program, and an innovative technology grant program aimed at fostering knowledge and skills development for small farmers in Georgia’s regions, thereby enhancing their productivity and income. These new specialized programs will also continue in 2025.

For more information about the programs, visit the link: https://www.rda.gov.ge/programs