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

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Otar Shamugia briefed farmers on a New Hazelnut Production Support Program

The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Mr. Otar Shamugia, together with Mr. Giorgi Urushadze, State Representative of Guria region, Mrs. Nino Tsilosani, Chairman of the Agrarian Issues Committee of the Parliament of Georgia, and Mr. Giorgi Todua, Executive Director of the Hazelnut Producers Association, met with the farmers in the village of Aketi, Lanchkhuti Municipality and introduced them with the new hazelnut production support program. The representatives of the local government also attended the meeting.

 "This year, the harvest of hazelnuts was small, and the quality was low, which resulted from various factors, including climatic conditions. Abundant rains prevented us from carrying out the relevant, and comprehensive measures that ultimately reflected in the income of each of our farmers.
The hazelnut sector employs 10,000 households and is an essential source of income for them. Georgian hazelnuts are one of the essential export products; 

The government discussed the hazelnut crop-related issues jointly with you- the farmers, the members of the hazelnut association, the parliamentary committee, and the relevant structures. Apparently, we decided to implement the appropriate measures to support the hazelnut field, which complemented the creation and launch of a new hazelnut production support program," said Mr. Otar Shamugia.

The state implements the program in all municipalities of Georgia except for self-governing cities.

 The program envisages financial assistance by issuing subsidies to individuals who have planted a hazelnut orchard on 0.2 ha to 3 ha. The subsidy amount is GEL 500, calculated per 1 ha.

Farmers receive assistance by accruing appropriate points to their agro cards, which they will use in specialized stores to buy the products needed to maintain and cultivate their hazelnut crops.

To receive financial assistance, hazelnut farmers must register their orchards in the hazelnut cadastre by January 31, 2023.

About 100,000 farmers will participate in the program, which finances the maintenance and cultivation facilities for producing quality hazelnuts on 40,000 ha.