Home production of foodstuffs and provision of population in Georgia (SUMMARY)

Prof.Sergo. Iakobidze

As far as we know, every year more than 40 million people die of starvation in the world while more than one billion live below the poverty line.

It is also known that foodstuffs problem has always posed a very acute problem for humankind though according to the opinion of many famed scientists, among them Kolim Clerk, achievements of the existing technic, technology, agriculture and science will help to provide most world population with food.
Proceeding from the above-mentioned, there, certainly, arises a question: what is the situation like in Georgia, in particular, in domestic production and factual consumption of foodstuffs per head compared with set physiological norms.
We should mention that according to the last years’ data, production of foodstuffs per head is behind the Y1920 level. As a result of it, the proportion of import is high in the total food balance, whereas the local production does not meet even half of the set annual food norms. Thus, for instance, the production of grain crops made up 666,3 thousand tons. This indicator dropped to 409, 5-481 0 thousand tons in subsequent years (1993-1994) while slightly exceeding (7140-672,0 thousand tons) the indicator of the 90s in 2001-2002. Yet, the achieved level still failed to provide population with local grain crops. The country has to attract 710,0-738,0 thousand tons of grain crops from abroad.
There is better situation in Georgia as far as local production of potatoes is concerned with it meeting the physiological norm of population’s needs (2000-2002) by 94-100%.
There is also a stable situation in the local production of melons and gourds thus making it possible for the population to consume 83-84 kg per year. If this trend continues, provision with crops is expected to grow in the nearest 2-3 years.
We should also mention that local production of vegetable oil develops of its own accord. Provision with local production would reach only 2-8% but for import (annually 36, 5-41,8 thousand tons)
There is a more unfavorable situation in local sugar production, as since 1996 white beet has not been cultivated in the country. The only Agara-sugar producing factory makes sugar from imported raw materials, though there are all necessary conditions in Georgia for local production of white beet and sugar without the necessity of spending great amounts of foreign currency on its import from abroad.
Almost similar and irrecoverable mistakes are made in tea-growing field (highly profitable branch) as production of tea has fallen significantly. If this continues, Georgians will soon have to purchase imported tea.
There is no mentioning of berries and grapes as their production has been decreasing from year to year.
As for local cattle-farm production and consumption dynamics per head, it is quite low and it does not meet even half of population’s demands. Yet, gradual increase has been observed in milk and eggs production of late years, while meat production has been characterised by downward trend. To offset this, the ratio of imported meat has been increased annually.
In general, we should mention that low level of population’s provision with cattle-farm products is connected with a whole number of unsettled issues among them the most important one is low level of capitation growth, insufficient care for improving cattle breed, insufficient feeding and low food value of fodder.
We think that the country will not be able to come out of the crisis and population’s demands for foodstuffs will not be met unless attention is paid to the increase of local production level and to more rational use of existing real potentials. Thus, legislative power of the country should strictly demand that all persons in charge of leadership and control of particular branches should become more responsible so that there would be enough foodstuffs to meet population’s demands in accordance with physiological demands.