Asian Development Bank approves $48mln for modernising Georgia’s agriculture irrigation
The programme is aligned with the Georgian Government’s Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy for 2021–2027 and the Irrigation Strategy for 2017–2025, the Bank added. Photo: Ministry of Finance
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Georgian Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili and Lesley Bearman Lahm, the Asian Development Bank Country Director for Georgia on Friday signed a $48 million loan agreement for modernising the irrigation systems for agriculture in the country and supporting institutional reforms.
The ADB said the Climate Smart Irrigation Sector Development Programme would provide a modernised piped irrigation network covering about 7,000 hectares of the Kvemo Samgori irrigation scheme area in the eastern region of Kakheti.
The programme will involve replacement of the current open canal system with a combined closed pipe and open network for irrigation water conveyance with a total length of about 630 kilometres.
The programme will increase farmland productivity through applying innovative agriculture production and irrigation technologies. At least 1,000 farmers will benefit from the cutting-edge technologies such as drip and sprinkler irrigation systems. This will help expand their trade opportunities”, the ADB said.
The programme is aligned with the Georgian Government’s Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy for 2021–2027 and the Irrigation Strategy for 2017–2025, the Bank added.
Georgian Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili on Monday signed a €70 million framework agreement with the French Development Agency for developing irrigation systems for agriculture across the country.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Agriculture Minister Otar Shamugia on Thursday reviewed projects in the sector for this year, from the budget of the Preferential Agrocredit Programme to financing for irrigation infrastructure and promotion of the country’s produce.
Georgian Agriculture Minister Otar Shamugia on Tuesday announced the launch of a $150 million project jointly financed by the Government of Georgia and the World Bank and aimed to benefit farmers and enterprises by enhancing irrigation services, land management and agricultural support.
The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development will allocate €46.2 million for enabling development of sustainable agriculture, irrigation and land market in Georgia, the Ministry of Finance of Georgia announced on Monday.
Otar Shamugia, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, on Tuesday said it was “important” to plan new programmes with the European Union and define future priorities to make the country's agriculture policy “more compatible” with that of the bloc.
Masatsugu Asakawa, the President of the Asian Development Bank, on Tuesday arrived in Georgia, on his first official visit to the country, to participate in the Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation Forum.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Wednesday discussed the current economic situation in the country and its fiscal and budgetary parameters with Masatsugu Asakawa, the President of the Asian Development Bank, during their meeting held in Tbilisi.
Masatsugu Asakawa, the President of the Asian Development Bank, on Wednesday said the Bank was “proud to support major projects and policy reforms” in Georgia during a meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday addressed the 22nd Annual Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Ministerial Conference in the capital city of Tbilisi to highlight Georgia’s “unique” role in contributing to “shared regional prosperity” with its economic development.
Otar Shamugia, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia and Michael Francom, the Regional Director of the United States Department of Agriculture, on Thursday discussed topics of agricultural trade, cattle breeding industry and related challenges in a meeting held in Tbilisi.
Georgia’s Agriculture Ministry on Thursday said improvements to the irrigation system covering 4,075 hectares of land in Marneuli and Bolnisi municipalities in the central-southern part of the country would improve water supply to 11 villages.