This has been a very difficult year, with numerous challenges like the pandemic at first, then this devastating war. Naturally, the situation has grown worse in every way, meaning inflation, price growth, and so on. To maintain stability in the country, we must help our population, citizens and farmers, the reason why we have decided to launch a state assist agricultural land lot owners, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili stated during the Cabinet meeting.
According to the Prime Minister, one of the key objectives behind approving this decision is to support the timely implementation of agricultural works.
"The size of subsidies for agricultural lands will be set at 300 GEL per hectare, and subsidies will be issued to the owners of lands, also co-owners and beneficiaries, with an area of 0.25 through 1.25 hectares. This assistance will be deposited on their special agricultural cards, in the form of subsidy points that they will be able to use to purchase goods necessary for agricultural activities. I believe it will be very important assistance to apply to about 300,000 farmers. The project's budget is 35 million GEL, and I believe this will have a positive impact on reducing the capital cost of products. In addition, besides small land-owners, we also assist large farm-owners by finance 9% of the interest on their loans for operating costs. Also, under the state project for assistance in growing annual crops, 20 million GEL has been issued in loans since March 22. Thus, we continue assisting farmers in this direction as well," the Prime Minister said.
The Head of Government also spoke about the high growth speed of foreign trade, adding that a similarly considerable growth is found in tourism as well.
"The high rates of foreign trade continue, with export growing by 26% to make up 411 million USD. Similarly, revenues from tourism are also growing. We have a significant increase in this direction. In March, revenues from travel made up 175 million USD. Compared to the statistics of 2019, it means a 70% tourism revival rate. In January-March, revenues from travel made up almost 400 million USD. Our economic growth is in double digits. Needless to say, we must build on all this," the Prime Minister emphasized.
