Georgia will receive about EUR 45 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the development of a climate smart Irrigation sector.

Two Loan Agreements were signed by and between Georgia and ADB on November 17, according to which ADB will allocate a loan in the total amount of about EUR 45 million for the implementation of a climate smart Irrigation program/project. Loan Agreements were signed by Lasha Khutsishvili, Minister of Finance of Georgia and Lesley Bearman Lahm, ADB Country Director for Georgia.

Climate Smart Irrigation Sector Development Project envisages the improvement of agriculture systems in East Georgia namely the modernisation of Left Main Canal Irrigation Scheme in Kvemo Samgori of Kakheti region.

Climate Smart Irrigation System Development Program includes the improvement of legal and institutional framework to achieve irrigation policy outcomes and ensure sustainable management of water resources with consideration for climate change impacts; to achieve improved efficiency of water use and financial sustainability of the irrigation system in the face of the current and expected impact of climate change on water resources; and to enhance governance and management controls to increase the accountability, transparency and efficiency of Georgian Amelioration, and the sustainability of the irrigation system in the face of climate change.