News
David Songulashvili: “Every working meeting held with farmers and entrepreneurs in the regions is of utmost importance for understanding their needs—needs that require a timely and effective response from our side.”
“Today in Samegrelo, we met with beekeeping farmers and visited the ongoing works at the beekeeping breeding base in Mukhuri. Beekeeping is a long-standing tradition in Georgia. Our goal is to support the development of every branch in the agricultural sector that holds real potential and can generate economic value.
The Georgian honeybee is unique and internationally recognized, and its preservation and reproduction is vital. That is precisely why the Mukhuri breeding base holds such special significance. We held meetings with both blueberry producers and hazelnut farmers. Hazelnuts are one of the most economically significant crops in Georgia, and the country ranks among the world’s top seven hazelnut exporters.
A high-quality, abundant harvest is essential for our farmers to achieve high incomes. The government supports them in virtually every aspect through numerous programs—ranging from assistance with orchard establishment, ensuring proper storage conditions for the harvest, to combating diseases, including large-scale efforts against the brown marmorated stink bug.
In the ongoing fight against the Asian stink bug, 250 units of specialized equipment are actively involved. Currently, one of the main challenges in the hazelnut sector is orchard dieback. The Agricultural Scientific-Research Center is actively working to identify the causes and provide farmers with appropriate recommendations and support. Regarding blueberries, they have become an essential source of income, with increasing export volumes and growing demand. The expanding scale of blueberry production is a direct result of the support provided through state programs.
Although spring frosts damaged part of this year’s harvest, export volumes still increased by 36% compared to the same period last year. The value of exported blueberries reached USD 40.5 million. The state’s support continues to focus on the development of the agricultural sector, improving the well-being of our farmers and entrepreneurs, and ultimately strengthening the country’s economy,” said Mr. David Songulashvili.
Today, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. David Songulashvili, visited the Samegrelo region. The Minister met with laboratory staff at the Scientific Research Center’s beekeeping breeding base in Mukhuri, and local beekeeping farmers.
Minister Songulashvili also toured the LTD “Gentry Investment” facility established through state support in the village of Zeda Etseri, Zugdidi Municipality, where he observed the process of preparing blueberries for sale.
The Minister met with hazelnut farmers in the village of Rike. The meeting took place at the hazelnut plantation of Giorgi Zakaraia, a beneficiary of the Rural Development Agency. Mr. Songulashvili received updates on the challenges, needs, and ongoing work in the hazelnut sector.