Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia

" Supporting restoration and production of Georgian endemic wheat species is an important part of the strategy of our Ministry’’ declared Nino Tandilashvili

The Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Nino Tandilashvili along with the Head of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Georgia, Luisa Winton visited the demonstration-nursery farm of endemic and local wheat varieties in the village of Asureti, Tetritskaro Municipality and attended the harvesting process of rare Georgian wheat varieties: Dika and Shavpkha.

At the event, Nino Tandilashvili spoke widely about Georgian Government policy on the restoration, preservation and reproduction of Georgian wheat species.  The farmers, as well as representatives of the non-governmental sector attended the wheat harvesting process.

"Promoting the restoration and production of Georgian endemic wheat varieties is a part of the  strategy of our Ministry. We have a huge potential for selection and production of new wheat varieties" - said the Deputy Minister.

"The restoration of endemic and local varieties, that are resistant to climate change and have a distinctive taste is crucial. I am mostly pleased, that we provide a support to the restoration of wheat varieties, whereby local initiatives and enthusiasm play a key role” said Louisa Winton.

It should be mentioned, that Dika and Shavpkha were restored at the initiative of the Georgian Wheat Producers Union and funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in Georgia.

The small local projects are being implemented in various regions of Georgia to deal with the most important environmental issues with the support of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Global Environment Facility (GEF). 

The initiatives funded under the Small Grants Program contribute to the preservation of local biodiversity, sustainable development of agriculture, protection of unique landscapes, and introduction of environmental education.


The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Program has been launched in Georgia since 2012. During this time, more than 70 local environmental projects have been implemented under the program, whereby, the amount of funding has exceeded $ 1.6 million.