A two-day workshop on dairy sector development in Armenia and Georgia is organized within the framework of the FAO funded project implemented by the Center for Agribusiness and Rural Development Foundation, in collaboration with the Georgian Farmers Association. 

The workshop highlights the challenges associated with dairy value chain development as well as the opportunities associated with the strengthening of the sector through better infrastructure, facilities, training and capacity development.  The case studies developed in Armenia and Georgia were presented to the participants. These evidence-based studies aimed at providing insight on how specific actions and improvements in the dairy sector could lead to an enhanced quality and safety of dairy products whilst increasing productivity as well as better incomes to those operating in the value chain.  The expected outcomes of the workshop are to validate the proposed strategic as well as operational development directions emerged from the case studies and forge key coordination mechanisms amongst key stakeholders for the strengthening of the value chain in both countries.

As highlighted by the Chief of FAO’s Private Sector Partnership Unit Rodrigo Castaňeda: “Dairy value chain requires a multi-stakeholder approach in partnering with governments, small and middle-scale farmers, research institutions, large companies and development partners. FAO is supporting governments in establishing this multi-stakeholder dialogue as an effective mechanism to address challenges of the Sustainable Development Goals”. Castaňeda also mentioned that “Access to financial instruments and investments are needed as well as different approaches that could forge synergies between small dairy producers, processors and large companies.”

Representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and other governmental agencies of both countries, all key local stakeholders of the dairy sector, partners on the development of the case studies participated, as well as international resource partners.  They all provided views and suggestions on the feasibility of these findings and the way forward on how to strengthen the capacities, skills and financial needs of the sector. International development cooperation agencies also participated including representatives from the Swiss Development Cooperation, Austrian Development Agency, United States Department of Agriculture, United States Agency for International Development, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and Texas A&M.  Thus, this workshop is considered a milestone in forging a key public-private dialogue and it has provided practical and feasible approaches to boost the efficiency and effectiveness of the dairy sector and the quality as well as safety of its products.