Recognizing the Role of Women Farmers of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti in Local Economic Development

International Women’s Day was marked at the Zugdidi Technopark, bringing together 30 women dairy farmers from the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region. The event was organized under a project “Fostering the Economic Resilience of Small-Scale Women Farmers in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti and Abkhazia through Farmer Field Schools,” funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The event provided a platform to celebrate the essential contribution of rural women to local economic development.

The event brought together representatives of SDC and FAO, local authorities including the Zugdidi Mayor’s Office, international and local organizations, and members of the HoReCa sector.

The event opened with welcoming remarks and a presentation of the SDC-funded FAO project in the region. This was followed by an exhibition of innovative dairy products developed by the women farmers. Participants also took part in a photo competition, sharing their personal reflections on the role of women in rural life and agriculture.

Through the continued expansion of Farmer Field Schools in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, FAO, with the support of SDC, reaffirms its commitment to promoting gender equality, strengthening rural livelihoods, and contributing to sustainable agricultural development in Georgia.

"We recognize the essential role that women farmers play in ensuring food security and strengthening local economies," said Ana Jikia, Head of the FAO Project Office in Zugdidi. "Through initiatives like Farmer Field Schools, we aim to create the conditions that enable women to expand production, improve product quality, and gain, or improve, access to markets. International Women’s Day is an important reminder of the value of women’s contributions to agriculture and rural development."

"The Swiss Cooperation is proud to support projects that empower women farmers and strengthen rural communities," said Lela Mamrikishvili, National Programme Officer, Embassy of Switzerland. "By creating enabling environments, we help women improve their production capacities, meet higher quality standards, and connect to sustainable markets. Celebrating International Women’s Day highlights the critical impact women have on economic resilience and food security in Georgia.”

Since 2025, FAO has been empowering women farmers in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti through the support of the Swiss Cooperation. Already, 10 Farmer Field Schools have been established in the region and 167 women farmers supported with knowledge-sharing opportunities about modern and innovative food production practices.