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Otar Shamugia briefs farmers on the state support program for hazelnut production
The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Mr. Otar Shamugia, together with the State Representative of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, Mr. Giorgi Guguchia, and Executive Director of Nut Producers Association Giorgi Thodua met with the hazelnut growers in the village of Kakhati, Zugdidi Municipality and briefed them on the new state support program for hazelnut production.
"I believe, that that the new program will provide an important support for farmers, thus, hazelnut growers will get ready for spring farm maintenance activities and will get a better quality harvest. Hazelnuts are one of the important agricultural export products for our country.
Last year, approximately USD 115 million worth of hazelnuts were exported from Georgia. 10,000 people are employed in the hazelnut sector, and 10,000 families receive income from hazelnut production. This year, due to various factors, we received low crop yield and poor quality of hazelnut crops, which resulted in less income. Accordingly, we saw the necessity to be involved in the aforementioned process, support our farmers and help them to significantly improve the yield and quality of their crop next year, which is directly related to increase farmers income and, ultimately enhance economic growth of our country", said Mr. Otar Shamugia.
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The state support program for hazelnut production ensures financial support for small farmers. Under the program, the subsidy will be given to individuals who own a hazelnut orchard from 0.2 ha to 3 ha.
The amount of the subsidy is set at GEL 500, which will be calculated per ha, furthermore appropriate points will be accrued on the Agro Cards, which will be used in specialized stores to purchase agricultural equipment and tools necessary for farm maintenance works and cultivation of hazelnuts.
Hazelnut growers must register their orchards in the hazelnut cadastre program until January 31, 2023, to receive financial assistance.
The program is implemented in all municipalities of Georgia, except for self-governing cities.
About 100,000 farmers will participate in the program. Under the framework of the program, the farmers will be provided with agricultural equipment and tools necessary for farm maintenance activities to produce quality hazelnuts on 40,000 ha of agricultural land plots.
The representatives of the local government attended the meeting.