Enhancing food security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through dairy modernization in Georgia

This assessment evaluates the outcomes and impacts of the Dairy Modernization and Market Access (DiMMA) programme in Georgia, which aimed to improve the productivity of smallholder dairy farming systems through better nutrition and feeding, veterinary care leading to better animal health, and breed improvements. The aim of this study is to assess reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for both total emissions and emissions intensity (i.e. emissions produced per unit of product), improvements in food security (shown in protein production), and farmer resilience. By analysing project impacts, it ensures accountability, informs policy, and optimizes resource allocation for sustainable development for two scenarios: without project (WOP) representing the case without any improvements to herd, feed and manure parameters; and with project (WP) representing the impact of project interventions on herd structure, feeding and manure management over the project timeline. In the WP scenario, a combination of interventions including improved breeding via AI, improved feeding and nutrition via pasture improvement, training and value chain improvements, and improved manure management via trainings and value chain improvements were implemented.

Ndung'u, P., Kvirikashvili, D., Sharabidze, K., Mottet, A. & Doro, E. 2026. Enhancing food security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through dairy modernization in Georgia – An ex-post assessment of the Dairy Modernization and Market Access (DiMMA) project. Rome, FAO & IFAD.