SQIL Georgia GeoGap improving food safety and food quality

Requesting party and partners

Land O’Lakes Venture 37

Georgian Dairy

Context

Land O’Lakes Venture37 is leading an innovative, demand-driven Food for Progress Safety and Quality Investment in Livestock (SQIL) project. The aim is to improve food safety and food quality in the dairy and beef value chains in the Republic of Georgia.

As a result this will reduce losses and improve food safety and food quality. Competitiveness, productivity and trade within the Georgian dairy and beef market systems are thereby stimulated.

The SQIL project and GFA reveal the importance and necessity of promoting and implementing Good Agricultural Practices within the Georgian agribusiness, which will enhance the local and export competitiveness of dairy and beef products. Improved resilience to climate change is also a point of attention.

Project goal and outputs

Increase the capacity of the Georgian Farmers’ Association (GFA) and possible additional industry associations to provide GeoGAP coaching and advisory services to farmers.
Determine the roles and responsibilities of the Georgian Farmers’ Association and other industry associations in the provision of these services.
Update the existing GeoGAP standard for dairy and beef based on the GLOBALG.A.P. checklists and CPCCs with included relevant Georgian national regulations (if applicable).
Build the capacity of certification bodies to certify farmers in GeoGAP: Train GFA and affiliated personnel in GLOBALG.A.P. and GeoGAP for dairy and capacity building at the certification body.