Deputy Agriculture Minister, IFAD Vice President discuss cooperation

The importance and outcomes of the long-standing cooperation between Georgia and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) were discussed on Wednesday in a meeting between Lasha Dolidze, the Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection, and Agriculture and IFAD Vice President, Gérardine Mukeshimana.

“IFAD is a significant partner for Georgia, having made a notable contribution to rural development and the promotion of sustainable agriculture. Within the framework of this cooperation, numerous successful projects have been implemented. Particularly noteworthy is the project ‘Diversified and Inclusive Market Development for Rural Areas’ (DiMMA), which played an important role in supporting small-scale farmers by improving market access, strengthening value chains, and introducing climate-smart agricultural practices”, Dolidze said.

The discussion also covered a new irrigation development project, which is a strategic priority for Georgia, especially in the context of climate change.

The development of modern and efficient irrigation systems is crucial for enhancing food safety and increasing climate resilience.

“We aim to identify and implement effective, demand-driven initiatives together with IFAD that respond to the growing needs of Georgia’s rural population”, he noted.

IFAD Vice President Gérardine Mukeshimana positively assessed the cooperation with the Georgian side and expressed a desire to deepen future collaboration.