News
Minister Otar Shamugia: "Vinegrowers in Racha and Kvemo Svaneti have the opportunity to establish wineries, process their grapes, and increase their income".
The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Otar Shamugia, along with the State Representative of the Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti region, Papuna Margvelidze, recently visited the modern family wine cellar “Tamani” in the village of Gveso, Tsageri municipality.
"Supporting the development of viticulture and winemaking is a top priority for our Ministry. We implement various projects to support winegrowers and winemakers. Lechkhumi, in particular, is one of the exceptional regions for viticulture and winemaking in Georgia. This year, the grape harvest in the region was organized successfully, with over 1,000 tonnes processed. In the highland regions, we are implementing a program to promote entrepreneurial activities, including creating wineries. This program enables vinegrowers in Racha and Kvemo Svaneti to create wineries, process their grapes, and increase their income by selling their wine," said Minister Shamugia.
The Owner of the Winery, Ekaterine Tsvariani, is a beneficiary of the Rural Development Agency's programs. She established her family cellar "Tamani" and equipped it with modern technology through the Program for the Promotion of Entrepreneurial Activities in Highland Settlements. She also benefits from the Preferential Agro Credit program.
Additionally, the Rural Development Agency co-financed her business development efforts with a grant of approximately GEL 50,000.
Ekaterine manages the family winery alongside her husband and children. In 2024, they processed grapes in the newly equipped cellar for the first time.
Minister Shamugia was accompanied by Deputy Minister Solomon Pavliashvili, Majoritarian MP of the Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti regions, Gocha Enukidze, Rural Development Agency Director Davit Tsitlidze, and local officials.
''The Program for the Promotion of Entrepreneurial Activities in Highland Settlements'' is managed by the Rural Development Agency. Under this initiative, 59 beneficiaries have signed contracts, with investments exceeding GEL 8.8 million. Of this, the Rural Development Agency has contributed more than GEL 4.5 million in co-financing. In the Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti region alone, 21 beneficiaries have invested more than GEL 2.6 million, with agency co-financing exceeding GEL 1.4 million.