Food safety and transfer of modern technology and knowledge to farmers in Georgia were discussed between Agriculture Minister Otar Shamugia and United States officials in Washington, the Ministry announced on Friday.
During his visit to the capital, Shamugia held meetings with Cary Fowler, the US Department of State’s Special Envoy for Global Food Security, and Jewel Bronaugh, the US Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.
In his comments with Fowler, Shamugia stressed the importance of having quality seed material and appropriate agricultural equipment for ensuring food security in Georgia, and pointed out the “particular significance” of US support in this respect, the Ministry said. In his turn, Fowler pledged the US would continue to support Georgia in the development of the industry and in overcoming challenges.
Georgia's US Ambassador David Zalkaliani, who also participated in the meetings, noted the Agriculture Minister’s visit to the United States served the purpose of the medium- and long-term perspective of cooperation between the countries, involving support from the US “both in terms of expertise and technical means”. Photo: Georgian Agriculture Ministry
During Shamugia’s meeting with Bronaugh, the two officials discussed the issues of diversification of Georgian wine export markets, increasing access to agricultural equipment, access to the latest technologies and value chain research.
Shamugia also noted the Government was planning “concrete steps” to increase wheat productivity, calling the production of 300-400 thousand tonnes of wheat in Georgia “quite realistic” and adding it would allow the country to reduce its dependence on imports.
Bronaugh in her comments also pledged support for the agricultural sector in Georgia with efforts involving strengthening the capacity of farmers, introduction of modern technologies and provision of technical support.