Agricultural Grant Competition to be launched in Shida Kartli and Racha-Lechkhumi

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and under the financial support of Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) are offering small grant investments to farmers and cooperatives. Starting from today, for a three-week period the residents and agricultural cooperatives of of Ateni, Plevi (Shida Kartli), Tvishi and Sori (Racha-Lechkhumi) will be able to register for the competition.

The grant competition foresees the funding of production and agricultural infrastructure initiatives. The maximum amount of each grant to be disbursed is equivalent to 10,000 USD in Georgian lari. The grant will fund 75% of the investment budget, which means that 25% must be covered by the beneficiary in the form of either financial or labor contributions.   

Small grant investments will facilitate the development and expansion of activities of different social groups, as well as improve their quality of life. 

The Grant Competition is one of the components of The Rural and Agricultural Development Project implemented by FAO and funded by the Austrian Government. The project aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the agricultural sector, to increase overall food production, and to support the reduction of poverty and social inequality in rural areas. The project also foresees the development of Local Initiative Groups in the above-mentioned communities, organizing demonstration plots, training the staff of farmers’ Informational-Consulting Centers, and introducing environment-friendly agricultural practices to locals. These measures will jointly contribute to the development of sustainable eco-systems and minimize damage to the environment. 

These pilot activities and the results they achieve will be considered by the Government of Georgia in its policy-making processes, and will assist in facilitating the efficient implementation of the National Agricultural and rural Development Strategy.