During his mission to Georgia, Mr Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) joined Mr Levan Davitashvili, Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (MEPA) and Mr Javier Sanz Alvarez, Coordinator of EU-FAO Projects, visited Jighaura Agricultural Scientific-Research Center.

President Hoyer visited two newly constructed screenhouses with the highest standards that have been established by the EU and FAO to preserve the National Repository of fruit trees and endemic grape vines in Georgia, and to improve the gene bank conditions in the Jighaura Research Station depending on the Scientific Research Center for Agriculture (SRCA), that is part of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (MEPA).

These screen houses, with the total area of 800 m², will allow to safely store the live collection of Georgian endemic varieties of grapes, as well as European varieties of table grapes and orchards.

“I have been profoundly impressed with Georgia’s agriculture and creative approach that has harvested success in Georgian, as well as European markets. The European Union and the European Investment Bank supports the development of agriculture in Georgia,” President Hoyer stated. 

“We cherish our cooperation with the European Union, which has been translated into various projects and reforms. We have tangible progress and advancement in our agricultural and environmental programming, which will complement Georgia’s integration into the European family. Local agricultural production has been gradually attaining positions at the European markets, through an increased international standards and competitiveness. Our work in legislative reform toward environmental protection complement these harmonization efforts with the European standards,” Minister Davitashvili stated.

“New screenhouses established with the support from the EU and FAO not only will serve as the main repositories of the quality vegetative material in the country, including many endemic varieties, but will also contribute the quality of the saplings available for all farmers in Georgia. This is a key factor for the agricultural productivity and a step forward on the path leading to the establishment of the certification system in line with the EU standards,” said Javier Sanz Alvarez, FAO-EU projects coordinator.

Ms Tea Kutateladze, one of the owners of a private planting nurseries and beneficiaries of the project stressed out how vital high-quality plants for a successful farming is. 

For more information on an incumbent and commenced projects supported by the European Union in Georgia can be accessed at: www.eu4georgia.ge