News
Pre-New Year Food Fair to Support Local Farmers
Oxfam representation in Georgia and the Biological Farming Association “Elkana” are organising a Pre-New Year Food Fair with the motto “More local production – more support to small holder farmers”on 26 and 27 December, 2015, from 11.00 to 18.00. The event will be held at Bukia Gardens at Pekini Avenue, near the tube station “Technical University”.The Pre-New Year Food Fair is a perfect opportunity for people to find diverse, high quality, healthy products produced by small holder farmers in Georgia.
During the event, Oxfam and the Biological Farming Associating “Elkana” will present the findings of their research on Food Security and Nutrition. The recent research revealed that 70% of the Georgian population suffers from food insecurity and fears that the situation will get worse in the future. Sadly, 50% of the income of the Georgian population is spent on buying food. Moreover, a considerable number of the population have no access to locally produced, diversified, healthy products. As a result, there are certain alarming trends developing, especially among the low-income population. Children are suffering from stunting, as well as iodine and iron deficiency. Lack of proper nutrition is a serious impediment to physical and mental development and affects the productivity of individuals, impacting negatively on society and the economy.
As result of the findings of this study, small holder farmers and ordinary citizens are calling on the government to adopt food security policy which will support small holder farmers’ access to the local market, in order to empower them to provide high quality products in more quantities to the local population. Interested individuals will have the opportunity to sign a petition in support of small holder farmers, as a step towards achieving the food security in Georgia.
The Pre-New Year Food Fair is one of the activities supported by the European Commission funded project “Improving RegionalFood Security through National Strategies and Small Holder Production in the South Caucasus”. Central to the project is assisting the Georgian government to develop and implement a strategy on food security, which will guarantee the right of every citizen to have access to healthy and high quality food.
By participating in the Pre-New Year Food Fair, people can demonstrate their support for small holder farmers’ development and the increase in local agricultural production. All attendees will be provided with solidarity pins.
Background:
In September 2013, Oxfam launched a 4-year European Commission funded project entitled “Improving Regional Food Security through National Strategies and Small Holder Production in the South Caucasus”. Central to the project is the publication of gender sensitive food security and nutrition strategies in the three regions of the SouthCaucasus. These strategies aim to bring changes in attitudes on food security and nutrition, agricultural production practices and ultimately marketing, due to an increased demand for healthy and locally produced food.
