U.S. Government Supports Rehabilitation of Irrigation System

December 1, 2011

Ambassador Bass Addresses Farmers in a Village of Kere, Near Gori.

U.S. Ambassador John Bass, Minister of Agriculture Zaza Gorozia and Minister ofRegional Development Ramaz Nikolaishvili launched an irrigation rehabilitation project inthe village of Kere, Shida Kartli on December 1.This U.S. government assistance project will rehabilitate irrigation systems for farmlandsin the Shida Kartli region, benefitting more than 10,000 farmers who otherwise confrontabandoning their fields due to insufficient water.This irrigation project is part of a $20.6 million project managed by the UnitesStates Agency for International Development (USAID) to develop and repair criticalinfrastructure damaged by the 2008 conflict with Russia and the global economicdownturn. USAID is supporting Georgian capacity by using the Municipal Development Fund to dothe infrastructure work. The rehabilitation of this irrigation infrastructure will improve thequality of life in rural areas and encourage private sector growth. The assistance is part ofthe U.S. government's $1 billion pledge to support the people of Georgia after the 2008conflict.