Levan Davitashvili, the Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture heard the report on the activities of the Rural Development Agency.

During the working meeting with the Heads of the Agency, the results of the implemented projects were summarized and the plans for 2022 were discussed.

Mr. Ilia Tamarashvili, Director of the Rural Development Agency emphasized that remote access to and inclusion in all programs of the Agency will be possible in stages. In order to facilitate participation in the program, a video instruction will be prepared, which will explain in detail the stages of participation in the program.

It was noted at the meeting that in the framework of the "Preferential Agro Credit" project, more than 3.4 billion GEL in agricultural loans were issued to improve the primary production, processing and storage processes of agriculture; out of this amount more than 480 million GEL is co-financed by the Agency. The area of the perennial gardens planted under the program Plant the Future exceed 14,000 hectares; out of 157 enterprises supported under the processing and storing enterprises co-financing program, 74 enterprises were co-financed this year.

In order to promote the competitiveness of Georgian quality products, a technical assistance program has been launched, within the framework of which international standards for food safety and quality management have been introduced in dozens of enterprises. Under the same program, agency beneficiaries have the opportunity to receive co-financing for product branding. In 2021, a large-scale program of agricultural mechanization was launched, which includes co-financing of all types of agricultural machinery, including both towing and harvesting equipment. Access to agricultural machinery for the private sector is increasing through various state co-financing programs. As a result, entrepreneurs / farmers were able to purchase additional equipment worth GEL 300 million. Under the agro-insurance program, the insured area exceeds 19,000 hectares in 2021, which is an increase compared to the same period last year.

Extension services for farmers and rural residents are actively provided by the regional services of the Rural Development Agency.

As it was mentioned at the meeting, state programs for rural and agricultural development will be actively continued in 2022, which will be more adapted to the needs and challenges of farmers and rural residents.

Giorgi Khanishvili, First Deputy Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture, Otar Shamugia and Solomon Pavliashvili, Deputy Ministers, representatives of the relevant services of the Ministry and the Agency attended the meeting held at the Rural Development Agency.