Celebrating the impact of the ENPARD IV programme in support of food safety in Georgia
Partners and stakeholders mark the close of a five-year programme focused on enhancing food safety from farm to fork.
Partners, state institutions, primary producers, private sector representatives, producers’ associations, university students and national agrifood system representatives gathered at ExpoGeorgia to reflect on the five-year programme supported by the European Union and Sweden, under the fourth phase of the European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD IV). These efforts were jointly implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Czech Development Agency (CzDA).
The event was held on the opening day of the Agro Food Drink Expo. It highlighted the areas of work and achievements stemming from the implementation of the programme starting in 2021, in support of food safety from farm to fork and bringing Georgia’s food system closer to the standards of the European Union.
Opening remarks were delivered by Paweł Herczyński, Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, Petr Kubernát, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Georgia, Lasha Dolidze, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia and Dr. Raimund Jehle, FAO Representative to Georgia.
FAO and CzDA then presented the achieved results, and panel discussions brought together the main actors behind them – from farmers and producers to national institutions.
Over five years, FAO’s efforts helped Georgia build a European Union-aligned food safety framework. More than 9 700 farmers, businesses and students received technical training. USD 2.3 million was provided in grants and equipment supporting 1 230 beneficiaries in the dairy, hazelnut and aquaculture value chains. No-till sowing was introduced and promoted on more than 3 400 hectares of cereals, and pheromone-based mating disruption protected 2 560 hectares of vineyards from the European grapevine moth. In addition, 161 niche producers were linked with buyers through 19 Unique Georgian Taste agromarkets.
With technical assistance from CzDA, a Quality Management System was implemented at the National Food Agency and Georgia’s plant health capacities were assessed. Proposals and recommendations were developed to strengthen the system for the registration, control, and use of plant protection products, as well as the national laboratory system. Nine study trips to the Czech Republic and more than 20 specialised training sessions built professional expertise, while awareness-raising activities reached over 4 000 citizens across Georgia.
“For the past thirteen years, ENPARD has been the EU’s flagship programme supporting agriculture and rural development in Georgia. Today, we are closing one of ENPARD’s major projects, implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organisation, with the financial support of Sweden and the participation of the Czech Development Agency – Team Europe at its best. With €234.5 million invested since 2013, it supported farmers, created jobs and opportunities in rural communities, and brought Georgia’s food safety system closer to EU standards. The results are tangible: rural poverty fell from 33% in 2013 to 15% in 2024, and agri-food exports grew by 90%. The EU’s support for Georgia’s regions does not end with ENPARD: new projects under EUwithYOU will build on these results to keep investing in people in rural areas,” said Pawel Herczynski, Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia.
“Food safety remains a priority area of work for the Government of Georgia. It protects consumers, strengthens our farmers and opens new markets for Georgian products. Over the last five years, our institutions have gained new knowledge and tools, and producers across the country have adopted safer practices through joint work with international partners,” said Lasha Dolidze, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia.
“Sweden is proud to have joined the European Union in supporting efforts to enhance food safety for the people of Georgia. Over these five years, small-scale producers and food businesses have been reached across the whole country, including thousands of women in the dairy value chain. Safe food contributes to better nutrition in their families and helps them meet the standards that open doors to new markets, including abroad. The knowledge, equipment and opportunities gained through the work of FAO and CzDA now belong to the Georgian people, the private sector and the local communities who will carry them forward,” said Elisabet Brandberg, Head of Development Cooperation, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Sweden in Georgia.
“CzDA focused on raising awareness about food safety and consumer rights among the general public, including schoolchildren and older citizens. We also supported the professionals in public and private institutions who keep food safe on a daily basis. Lasting change starts with knowledge, and we are proud to have contributed to this effort. We believe that the partnerships established between Czech institutions/experts and Georgian counterparts will continue to thrive. We thank the European Union for their support, and FAO for a fruitful cooperation,” said Jonáš Háger, the Czech Development Agency’s Project Coordinator.
“With this event, we mark the culmination of over a decade of FAO work in Georgia under the European Union-funded ENPARD flagship programme. Food safety is built step by step – from policy and inspection to the farm, the processing line and the market, and these efforts reached every one of those steps. We thank the European Union and Sweden for their trust, and the Government of Georgia and the Czech Development Agency for their partnership,” said Dr. Raimund Jehle, FAO Representative in Georgia.
About ENPARD
The European Union supports rural development in Georgia through the European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development, ENPARD. Aiming to reduce rural poverty, ENPARD has been implemented since 2013. The Programme started by supporting the development of the national agriculture potential. Subsequently, it also concentrated on creating economic opportunities for rural populations in Georgia. Since 2021, the Programme has also been working on improving food safety in the country, with additional support from Sweden and with FAO and the Czech Development Agency as the main implementers of this food safety component under ENPARD IV. Building on ENPARD’s results, EU support for Georgia’s farmers and rural communities continues under #EUwithYOU.
More about ENPARD: https://eu4georgia.eu/enpard/
More about #EUwithYOU: https://eu4georgia.eu/new-eu-assistance/
About the European Union
For more than 30 years, the European Union has built a close partnership with Georgia, supporting its development through knowledge and experience sharing, expertise, innovation and financial support. The relationship between the EU and the citizens of Georgia is based on shared values of peace, freedom, democracy, human rights and inclusive economic growth. More about the EU’s support in Georgia: https://eu4georgia.eu/the-european-union-in-georgia/