Agriculture and natural resource use is central to the rural economy and employment in Georgia. Sustainable use of natural resources in dairy, meat, wool, beekeeping, sericulture, rural tourism and wild botanicals (fruits, herbs, cones) is important for the economic development and food security of rural households. It can also stimulate export within the South Caucasus region and beyond. This will enhance market linkages of rural producers in Georgia with businesses engaged in cross-border trade with Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The new ALCP2 is a proposition from Mercy Corps for a co-financed single phase project of four years, benefitting of established processes and results and bringing additional scale to beneficiaries.

• 40’000 male and female rural producers and inhabitants in Georgia, who are at least partially dependent on livestock, honey, wild botanicals and other produce from natural resources as main sources of income will be the end beneficiaries of the project.

• National suppliers of inputs, technologies, information and training to rural producers, including MSMEs, who provide access to markets for rural producers of agricultural and natural resourcebased products. These suppliers and buyers will form direct beneficiaries of the project.

1. Rural producers increase profitability and sustainability due to access to target services and inputs.

2. Sustainable and diversified micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) provide more reliable, valueadded market access to rural producers.

3. Local institutions provide improved access to more equitable local decision making and agency over natural resource use for rural producers.

Risultati principali attesi:  

• Facilitated access to tailored agriinformation and skills for rural producers and rural MSMEs.

• Facilitated access to affordable climate smart sustainable technologies and production systems for rural producers and MSMEs.

• Increased sustainability, selfrepresentation, empowerment and advocacy for equitable terms of trade by rural producer member associations.

• Increased value addition to rural products through enhanced image and promotion of Georgian regions, local and national products.

• Increased volume and value added production of diversified rural products for national (including rural tourism and mainstream tourism markets), regional and global markets.

• Increased informed, equitable participation in local natural resource use initiatives.

Risultati fasi precedenti:  

Results of the preceding project, ALCP Phase 3:

- Incomes of over 54’500 farmers (64% women) increased;

- 62 entities expanded their business;

- 445 jobs were created (238 for women).

- CHF 19.9 million additional income generated by project beneficiaries.