Improving National Animal Identificationand Traceability Systems (NAITS)


In Georgia, the livestock sector is dominated by small-scale subsistence farms, using common grazing and increasing the spread of diseases, which reduce productivity and farmers’ incomes. Switzerland has been supporting the authorities to introduce a digital system of animal identification and registration to improve health control since 2016. The system is operational, but further support is needed to ensure that it is effectively used and contributes to increasing competitiveness and farmers’ incomes.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Georgia
Agriculture & food security
nothemedefined
Agricultural development
01.01.2022 - 31.12.2025
CHF  6’500’000
Background The livestock sector in Georgia is dominated by subsistence farms with common grazing and seasonal migration. This practice increases the risk of spreading transmittable diseases among animals and humans. National Animal Identification and Traceability Systems (NAITS) allow to track and effectively control animal diseases as well as safety of food based on animal products. In Phase 1, the NAITS software was developed and introduced with the National Food Agency (NFA). However, public and private stakeholders still do not have enough capacities and incentives to systematically enter real-time data into the system. To fully deploy the NAITS, the NFA needs further support during Phase 2 to elaborate additional regulations, to develop capacities for their effective implementation, as well as to inform and incentivize private sector for their engagement and timely provision of relevant data. This will improve animal health and food safety, thus increasing farm productivity, as well as competitiveness of Georgian products on local, regional and international markets.
Objectives Georgian farmers and livestock business operators increase incomes, competitiveness and productivity due to improved animal health, reduced food risks and access to local, regional and international markets.
Target groups
  1. 270’000 male and female (25%) household livestock owners, who will enjoy higher incomes through improved animal health, will be the end beneficiaries of the project.
  2. Non state actors, such as livestock business operators (5’000 SMEs), input suppliers (200), private veterinarians (600) and financial service providers, who have interest and obligation to collaborate in NAITS, are direct beneficiaries of a better functioning NAITS.
  3. Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (MEPA) and NFA will be direct beneficiaries of the project. Their capacities will be further enhanced to elaborate and implement relevant policies that will ensure coordinated engagement of all stakeholders into NAITS.
Medium-term outcomes
  • Through enhanced capacities, the NFA keeps NAITS regularly updated and uses its data for an effective control of animal health and food safety.
  • Male and female farmers as well as business operators are motivated to enter and use NAITS data as they are aware of benefits coming from improved animal health, livestock productivity and competitiveness of their products on markets.
Results

Expected results:  

  1. The institutional and regulatory framework and enabling environment for enhanced performance of the NFA, stakeholder participation, comprehensive use of the NAITS and sustainable upkeep and maintenance developed. 
  2. Advanced features of NAITS added in order to attract non-state actors.
  3. NAITS data quality management improved.
  4. Improved capacities, leadership and ownership for the NAITS among state stakeholders.
  5. Data needs of its non-state stakeholders met by NAITS modules and data is effectively shared.
  6. Improved awareness, participation, and ownership among the NAITS non-state stakeholders.


Results from previous phases:  

  • EU-compliant NAITS software was developed and introduced with the NFA.
  • 80% of animal keepers and 94% of bovineanimals were registered in the NAITS.
  • Servers and IT equipment were procured and handed over to the NFA for data handling during the field work.
  • Animal health control was improved, which resulted in 68% reduction of bovine mortality during 2017-2020.
  • Improved animal health contributed to enhancing livestock productivity, resulting in increased milk (by 7.7%) and meat (4.8%) production during 2017-2020.2
  • Improved productivity stimulated increased export of meat and live animals from Georgia.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
Private sector
Foreign state institution
United Nations Organization (UNO)
  • Food and Agricultural Organisation
  • National State Institute North
  • Foreign private sector South/East
  • Swiss Private Sector


Other partners
  • FAO
  • Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (MEPA)
  • National Food Agency (NFA)
  • ADA
Coordination with other projects and actors
  • EU ENPARD IV Program on Food Safety, co-funded by FAO and the Czech Embassy.
  • ALCP, VET and Rural SME Development Projects funded by SDC.
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    6’500’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    2’506’841 Total project since first phase Budget inclusive project partner CHF   7’153’848
Project phases Phase 2 01.01.2022 - 31.12.2025   (Current phase) Phase 1 15.06.2016 - 31.12.2021   (Completed)