,,Small Farmers Assistance Project
According to the decision made by the Georgian Government "Small Farmers Assistance Project" will be continued in 2016 as well. The Government program will support small scale farmers living in rural areas.
Under the Project 2016:
The beneficiaries are divided into two groups: farmers with up to 0.25 ha of land, and farmers who own land within 0.25-1.25 ha.
Two kinds of vouchers will be disbursed: one called an agriculture-work-card subsidizing plowing work, and another agro-card a plastic bank card actually for the purchase of agriculture goods. The first category of beneficiaries will get the agro-cards only, accordingly,
Farmers who own arable land smaller than 0.25 hectares will be offered a 50 GEL agro card, while the second group beneficiaries who own arable land measuring 0.25 hectares to 1.25 hectares will receive only one plowing card which includes 140 GEL per hectare, this card will enable farmers to buy all necessary agricultural goods: fertilizers, seeds, planting materials, plant care products, at different times and by different vendors.
In 2013, the Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia together with the Agricultural Projects Management Agency launched the small farmers spring works assistance project through initiative of the Georgian Government. The project aims to assist farmers, increase primary production and support sustainable livelihoods.
Unprecedentedly large number of beneficiaries have been involved in a three-year program. This year can be considered as the final stage of the three-year program. It should be noted that more than 600 service centers were organized under the program in all regions of Georgia, where farmers can purchase agricultural goods.
Under the frame of the "Small Farmers Spring Works Assistance Project" for three years:
710.479 beneficiaries received 190,466,914 gel worth of benefits under the project in 2013. 208.375 hectares of agricultural land was cultivated under the project in 2013.
757.145 beneficiaries received benefits of 69,954,923 gel under the project in 2014, furthermore, 220.466 hectares of agricultural land was cultivated in total under the project.
56,858,420 worth of gel benefits are allocated for 767.017 beneficiaries under the project in 2015. According to November 18, 2015 data the total land area which is cultivated under the project covers 212.141 hectares.