The Independent MP, Beka Natsvlishvli, at the briefing, highly estimates the attention attached to mitigation of coronavirus effect and protection of the health of our citizens, however, we also need to pay attention to the global processes that may entail the global food deficit.

“The first reason is that there is no manpower in the country that should create agricultural production as the labor migration has been reduced. The second reason is the high possibility of suspension of the logistics and transport systems. And the third reason is that the number of countries that are unable to foresee the scales and duration of the pandemic has already made the steps to isolation, which implies the suspension of the food export. This is the problem particularly acute for the countries dependent on food import, including Georgia deriving that we import 70% of the food production”, - he noted.

In this case, the Government along with other economic stimulation plans has announced the allocation of 2 billion GEL to mitigate the economic and social problems and ensure food safety.

“460 million GEL out of allocated 2 billion GEL shall be consumed to subsidize and stimulate the agriculture, to finance agriculture envisaging provision of the population with the cereals, meat and vegetables. We also need to consider that food safety implies the provision of the population with healthy food. The Government needs to reject the liberal approaches and serve as a key investor of these processes”.

He emphasized the details of the provision of the population with the cereals, meat and vegetables and the issues to be solved to ensure food safety, including exemption of chicken meat from VAT, also facilitation of fruit-growing in the storage and fridge economies and subsidies in the market-gardening by the state.

“We cannot foresee the duration of the global pandemic that may entail the food deficit, the signs of which are already evident at the global scale. Thus, we need to ensure the basis for food safety to win the process”.