Beka Gonashvili, founder of AgroQiziki, believes Georgia will eventually have to lift restrictions on selling agricultural land to foreigners if the country wants to attract meaningful foreign direct investment (FDI) into the sector. Speaking on the TV program“Tsentil”, he argued that with clearly defined obligations and requirements for introducing new technologies, foreign investment could boost productivity and competitiveness in Georgian agriculture.
According to Geostat, FDI in agriculture remains minimal: just USD 5 million in 2024 and only USD 1.5 million in the second quarter of 2025, following an outflow earlier in the year. The sector’s peak was in 2017, when USD 13 million was invested. Gonashvili warned that without opening opportunities to foreign investors, the sector risks stagnation.
At the same time, Gonashvili acknowledged the emotional sensitivity of the issue, noting that land is a finite resource. He suggested that instead of outright bans, the government should set strict conditions for both foreign and local buyers, including obligations tied to investment and development. He also called for longer-term land leasing options, arguing that the current three-year pasture lease program is insufficient to attract serious investors.
“Sooner or later, we will have to open the way to foreign investors in agriculture,” Gonashvili said. “Georgia is not attractive to global conglomerates because of limited land, but if we highlight our niche and use the knowledge of selected investors, this scheme could work", - Gonashvili added.
