With USAID Support, Georgia’s National Food Agency Launches New Plant Safety System Initiative
/ Agency News
Director of the National Food Agency (NFA) of Georgia Mr. Zurab Chekurashvili and USAID/Georgia Mission Director Peter Wiebler signed an agreement to establish a new Plant Safety System Initiative to support the modernization of Georgia’s agriculture sector. Under the initiative, USAID will partner with the NFA to build its capacity to plan and implement a country-wide integrated pest management strategy and to help Georgian farmers earn internationally-recognized certifications allowing them to sell their products on international markets.
"We do want to thank our partner for strong cooperation, as the National Food Agency of Georgia and the United States Agency for International Development had successfully cooperated on the project fighting against BMSB (Brown Marmorated Stink Bug)” - said NFA Director Zurab Chekurashvili. “At the same time, the important next phase of cooperation aims to establish an integrated pest management system that will help to effectively manage risks and protect leading agricultural crops from pests and prevent economic losses.”
USAID/Georgia Mission Director Peter Wiebler emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Georgia partnership in the agriculture sector: “This partnership with the NFA is another example of how USAID helps Georgia reform its agriculture sector. Georgian agriculture is increasingly producing high-value products and generating higher incomes for farmers, workers, and families in rural communities. That builds economic resilience and drives inclusive economic growth that can benefit all Georgians.”
The Plant Safety System Initiative will strengthen the phytosanitary capacity of the National Food Agency to improve its risk analysis and monitoring system for plant pests.
About USAID in Georgia: As the leading development agency of the U.S. Government, USAID supports Georgia to build the capacity to plan, finance, and implement its own solutions to development challenges. USAID has worked in Georgia since 1992, supporting the country’s transformation into a developing democracy that is increasingly integrated into Western political, security, and economic institutions. More than 35 USAID programs strengthen Georgia's resilience to malign influence, consolidate democratic gains through enhanced citizen responsive governance, and enable high-value employment through increased economic growth. For more information, please visit: https://www.usaid.gov/georgia.
