Press Release
USAID Awards CNFA Five-Year Contract in Georgia
Program will increase employment and incomes in rural areas by delivering investment and technical assistance to agribusiness enterprises
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded CNFA a contract, valued at $19.5 million, to implement the Restoring Efficiency to Agriculture Production (REAP) in Georgia from September 2013 through September 2018. The REAP project will increase employment and incomes in rural areas by delivering firm-level investment and technical assistance to expand the operation of existing smallholder farmers and rural enterprises. The project will facilitate the entry of new agribusinesses and input suppliers, including machinery service providers, storage facilities, sorting/grading centers, and small and medium scale processors to improve the availability of high-quality inputs and services, and strengthen markets for agricultural goods and services in Georgia.
“Over the past seven years, CNFA has worked with USAID on four previous projects in Georgia,” CNFA President and Chief Executive Officer John H. Costello said. “Through these USAID-funded programs, we have been able to build a network of machinery service centers, connect smallholder farmers to new markets, help internally displaced persons improve their livelihoods and assist Georgian entrepreneurs access appropriate and affordable financing. USAID’s market-oriented approach to helping Georgia improve its economy has already shown tremendous success and we are thrilled to continue working with USAID to help strengthen the country’s agricultural sector.”
Restoring Efficiency to Agriculture Production will catalyze increased private investment and commercial finance to the agricultural sector, mitigate risk for rural SMEs and entrepreneurs, and expand commercially sustainable linkages between input suppliers, producers, and post-harvest service providers. Additionally, the program will provide technical assistance to grantee and non-grantee farmers, primary production businesses, rural SMEs, cooperatives, and associations, and generate new rural jobs.
About USAID in Georgia: During the past 20 years, the American people, through USAID, have invested about $1.8 billion in Georgia. USAID projects are designed to support Georgia’s transition to a free and prosperous democracy and include initiatives to accelerate economic growth, develop democratic institutions, and improve health and education. USAID provides economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 100 countries. For more information, please visit http://georgia.usaid.gov
