In Georgia, Agriculture Minister Otar Shamugia said on Wednesday, March 29, that the nation has the resources to increase its wheat self-sufficiency to 50%, adding that the state is ready to implement “stimulating programs” to boost wheat production in the country.
The Minister and farmers producing grain crops discussed the needs and challenges of the sector for ensuring the growth of crop production during the meeting, and a decision was made to develop proposals and support mechanisms by relevant agencies of the Ministry to tackle the problem.
Moreover, farmers informed the Minister regarding the importance of an organized supply of highly productive seed material, access to financial resources and appropriate equipment for working capital, issues of land privatization and lease, the introduction of new sowing technologies, improved agricultural insurance, and access to irrigation water and windbreak arrangement.
He also stressed the significance of boosting the self-sufficiency of primary consumption products in the “shortest feasible period” and assuring food security in the face of the crisis in the Black Sea region caused by the Russian-Ukrainian war.
According to the official, the administration had been focused on promoting local production import substitution throughout the years, which has resulted in a “significant increase” in Georgian commodity production, sale in the domestic market, and export.
Georgian Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili stated earlier this week that the country has enough wheat to last over a month and that additional could be imported if needed for food security.
Georgia bought 367,000 tonnes of wheat for $93.5 million in 2021, including 338,000 tonnes from Russia, costing $87.4 million, and 24.4 thousand tonnes from the United States, worth $4.6 million.
