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Levan Davitashvili got familiar with the hazelnut delivering process in the city of Zugdidi
The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Levan Davitashvili together with the State Representative of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Mr. Giorgi Guguchia paid a visit to the company "Geo-Nuts" in the city of Zugdidi, where they got familiar with the hazelnut delivering process.
" We hold annual meetings with the fruit growers and representatives of processing and exporting companies to assess the season, discuss current issues, problems, future plans. This year, we have taken a good start, the harvest was plentiful, but lately, the weather has negatively affected on crops, although, we believe, that 2021-22 season will be much better than we had in previous year.
The hazelnut is an important, strategic crop in the agricultural sector of Georgia . The value of hazelnut exports exceeded USD 100 million last season, however, since we have taken control over the major challenges - diseases and the Asian stink bug, (which caused a problem to the residents), the hazelnut field has started evolving;
It’s worth mentioning, that in line with the development of the hazelnut field, we still face challenges to overcome, which require constant work, communication with large companies, exporters. Moreover, interests of the private sector should be in harmony with the state policy to achieve more results" - said Mr. Levan Davitashvili.
The State Representative of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region emphasized, that almost half of the residents are engaged in the agricultural activities in Samegrelo region. Hazelnut culture is one of the main crops in the region. The income of locals has been increased, which is crucial in terms of improving economic situation and well being of each family.
It should be mentioned, that from August 1 to September 22, 2021, Georgia exported 7.7 thousand tonnes of hazelnuts. The export value amounted to USD 33.4 million.