AFD approves a grant of EUR 300,000 in support of Georgia Land Management Agency for the modernization of agriculture
In December 2020, the Agence française de développement (AFD) has approved a grant of EUR 300,000 under its FEXTE fund (Technical expertise and experience exchange fund) to support the newly established National Agency for Sustainable Land Management and Land Use Monitoring (NASLMLUM) operating within the framework of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia (MEPA).
The aim is to create the conditions for the development of modern agriculture that generates income for farmers. In October 2020, experts from the Agriculture, Rural Development and Biodiversity division of AFD conducted a mission in Georgia to define the different components of this technical cooperation program.
As part of this program, a detailed study will be launched to further analyze the challenges related to agricultural land management in Georgia, such as the high level of land fragmentation, the level of productivity, security of land tenure etc. This study will compound a historical approach of land management policies in Georgia, and initiate an analysis of the legal, institutional and operational framework and of the land market regulation.
Technical assistance will also be provided to the Land Management Agency, to support the operationalization of the agency, and establish a diagnosis of the land management sector in Georgia.
AFD grant will finance the partnership between NASLMLUM / MEPA and French partners, such as Geofit, the National Institute of Geography (IGN FI) and the Society for Land Management and Agriculture Property of Ile de France Region (SAFER Ile de France).
“This operation is fully in line with AFD's mandate in Georgia to support green and inclusive growth, in a sector identified for cooperation: agriculture. Different challenges exist on the question of agricultural/rural land and its management. For example, only 30% of land is currently registered, the status of communal land systems is not clearly defined and the level of fragmentation is very high. This induces additional difficulties when it comes to environmental protection of the land, as well as productivity”, said the Head of the AFD South Caucasus regional office, Mr. Raphael Jozan.
“After a year of health crisis and the related economic challenge, it is clear that agriculture is a strategic economic sector. Georgia has considerable competitive advantage in this sector and we, in France, working as part of Team Europe, are keen to be a major partner of Georgian authorities as they strive to develop this sector. This determination fits squarely in the emphasis on green and inclusive growth, a key objective both of the AFD and of Team Europe. With FINEXCOOP, an EU-funded and AFD-implemented project, we have, since 2018, we have provided technical assistance to many small scale dynamic semi commercial farmers. 12 pilots projects are operational, 8 more are projected to be operational before the end of the year. We are now moving to the next stage of this cooperation with a grand of 300 000 euros by AFD to support the newly established National Agency for Sustainable Land Management and Land Use Monitoring. Helping operationalize the Agency and helping it develop its strategy to meet the many challenges of land use in Georgia will be key to the development of a modern Georgian agriculture that provides good revenues for farmers. There will be further steps in our cooperation, both with AFD and Team Europe developing further our partnership in agriculture with Georgian authorities, and with private French investors introducing new technologies and training their Georgian staff to create successful Georgian businesses ready to successfully export their quality production” highlighted HE. Mr. Diego Colas, Ambassador of France to Georgia.
Agence Française de Développement Group (AFD Group) implements France’s policy in the areas of development and international solidarity. It finances, supports and accelerates transitions towards a more coherent and resilient world. Comprised of AFD, which finances the public sector and NGOs; Proparco, which finances the private sector; and soon, Expertise France for technical cooperation, the Group finances, supports and accelerates transitions towards a more resilient and sustainable world.
With our partners, we are building shared solutions with and for the people of the Global South. Our teams are active in more than 4,000 projects in the field – in overseas France, in some 115 countries and in crisis areas, working to promote the “common goods” that are climate, biodiversity, peace, gender equality, education and health. It’s our way of contributing to the commitment France and the French people have made to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Towards a world in common. For more information follow the link: www.afd.fr
