In recent years, the Georgian state has been significantly investing in the development of agriculture. The strategic visions of developing Georgia’s agriculture, both in the previous years and in the new 2021-2027 cycle, - based on the principles of sustainable development, - envisage the creation of environment that will contribute to the increase of competitiveness in the agro-food sector, the stable growth of the production of high-quality products, the provision of food security and food safety and to overcoming poverty in rural areas. According to the 2021-2027 State Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development, "Since 2012, the Government of Georgia has taken significant and unprecedented-for-the-country steps for enhancing agricultural and rural development”[1], achieving sustainable development and inclusive economic growth. Even though the state invests hundreds of millions of GEL in agriculture every year and provides sizable subsidies, several experts doubt whether this sector can be profitable.[2] One of the angles in this criticism is that despite the increased support, economic growth in the agricultural sector is still ten times lower than the overall economic growth rate.[3] It is worth noting that, based on the principles of welfare state and equality, and considering the need for stable economic development, the support of agriculture by the state and proactive work on its development is fundamentally important, as 41% of the population of Georgia is still employed in agriculture, and for some regions, it is still the leading sector of the economy,[4] while 80% of the country's consumer basket are imported goods.[5] 

When discussing the intersection of agriculture and poverty, it is important to consider the deep economic disparity between the center and the regions. In terms of the standard of living, there are significant differences between rural and urban settlements. For example, in 2018, compared to rural households, the average monthly income of urban households was 19.0% higher. In the same year, absolute poverty in rural areas reached 23.1%, while in urban areas, it amounted to 18.0%.[6] The disparity between the centre and the regions can be seen in the quality of basic infrastructure development, which has a heavy impact on the development opportunities of the regions. For example, faulty roads, public transport, electricity and other energy means directly affect the daily life of peasants and farmers involved in agriculture.

At the same time, economic disparities within agriculture still remain a significant challenge. Except for cooperatives, the Ministry of Agriculture does not define what it means to be a ‘small and family farming’ or a farmer.[7] Women, people with disabilities and ethnic minorities are seen as particularly vulnerable groups in agriculture, who often do not own land or benefit from existing programs. According to the 2019 FAO report, it is necessary to better understand the needs of these groups and take special steps to address them.[8]  According to the 2021 Human Development Index (HDI), despite the pandemic crisis, Georgia has a very high index (0.802). However, as a result of considering inequalities attributed to different social groups and regions, the indicator decreases by 12 points and comes down to 0.706 points.[9] 

In recent years, as a result of the support of international organizations and the agreement with the European Union on the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, agricultural support programs have become more structured, unified and transparent.[10] The Rural Development Agency, created within the framework of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, has to some extent integrated all programs and services related to the state's efforts to create real prosperity in rural areas.[11] 

The purpose of this document is to ask critical questions and look at government programs and investments in agriculture through a lens that the Ministry and relevant agencies may overlook. One such issue is the needs of non-dominant ethnic groups employed in agriculture.

The active work of the Center for Social Justice in regions inhabited by non-dominant ethnic groups demonstrates that peasants representing ethnic minorities often do not benefit from existing agricultural programs and projects. They often talk about the experience of unfair and discriminatory distribution of land resources in their villages, which is the result of the fragmented and uncontrolled process of privatization in the 1990s and also in recent years. Irrigation water systems in ethnic minority villages are often faulty and severely burden the locals. Access to new agricultural programs and knowledge is also limited for these groups. Despite all this, the representatives of the minorities continue to self-organize their own labour and traditional farming methods and even lead the country in producing a number of products. For example, according to the data from 2018, the largest producer of potatoes in Georgia is the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, while the most productive region in terms of dairy products and animal husbandry was Kvemo Kartli.[12]

Based on all this, it is important to ask questions: How do agricultural agencies work to support ethnic groups? How are state and international investments distributed by region? How does the state help the industries in which ethnic minorities are involved? It is equally interesting mainly which social groups receive support from the state - small farmers or big businesses; How priority areas are formed in agriculture and how decisions are made about financing certain programs.

Against the backdrop of increased support and investment in agriculture, it is imperative to observe how fairly, inclusively and equitably these resources trickle down to peasants and farmers in various regions and how accessible these programs and projects are to different groups.

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