On April 29, the Millennium Challenge Georgia Fund (MCG) hosted an opening ceremony of a new farm service centre and a milk processing enterprise in Imereti Region, both of them funded through MCG's Agribusiness Development Activity (ADA). The event was attended by the President's Representative in Imereti Region Lasha Makatsaria, MCG CEO George Abdushelishvili, as well as local entrepreneurs and other officials.

At 1300, in Zestaponi, a new Farm Service Centre was opened, which will provide high quality agricultural inputs and services to local farmers. Locals will be able to purchase mineral fertilizers, veterinary medicines, plant production means, agricultural goods and tools and many more. Farmers will also be able to obtain qualified information about markets and prices as well as get consultations in the field of agriculture. The Farm Service Centre in Zestaponi received ADA grant funding in amount of $49,800. This project will create approximately 13 new jobs and benefit at least 1,500 local farmers.

At 1500, in village of Bashi, a new Milk Processing Enterprise - "Elvani+" LLC will be opened. The enterprise received ADA grant funding in amount of $49,300. The grant funds and a matching investment were used to establish a small scale milk processing plant producing, packaging and selling of two types of cheese (Sulguni and Imeruli) as well as Nadughi (curd). The project will create approximately 11 new jobs and benefit at least 25 local farmers.

Through MCG's Agribusiness Development Activity, total of 286 grant agreements have been approved for the development of primary production, small and medium enterprises and farm service centres, with total value of up to $16.2 million. These projects are expected to create up to 3,600 new jobs in rural Georgia.