Gela Samkharauli, Chair of the Agrarian Committee, participated in the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia-organized online meeting, dedicated to the Rome Summit 2025.

In his address, he reviewed the key challenges and priorities of the development of the regional agricultural systems. Mr. Samkharauli accentuated the pivotal role of Members of Parliament in the formation of the national policy, budget and legislation, which facilitates the sustainable and inclusive agricultural system development, which is closely connected to the SDGs.

He introduced the key challenges pertaining to the transformation of the agricultural systems, specifically: scarcity of land and domination of the small farms; low yields of the crop areas; poor technological development; shortage of qualified personnel; and the lack of interest in agriculture among the youth.

According to him, these challenges suspend the establishment of innovative and competitive production, restrict access to markets and aggravate the development.

As he noted, despite complications, the priority nature of the agrarian sphere is enhanced and 855.8 ml GEL is allocated in the budget 2025 for the hereof domain. The investments are directed to the transformation of the agricultural systems.

G. Samkharauli underlined that Georgia supports the intensification of the parliamentary coordination between the European and Central Asia Parliaments with the FAO facilitation in view of sharing experiences, initiatives and innovations.

The preparatory meeting aimed at facilitating the regional dialogue between the European and Central Asia countries and is convened ahead of the third Global Parliamentary Summit against hunger and malnutrition scheduled for 2026.