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

Amendments were introduced in the state project "Plant the future" to support the development of the blueberry, blackberry and raspberry intensive gardens. Thereby, the new sub-component "berry crops" has been added to the co-financing component of fruit gardens. The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Levan Davitashvili, Mtskheta-Mtianeti Governor, Shalva Kereselidze and Director of Agriculture Projects Management Agency, Revaz Asatiani introduced the details of the new sub-component to the residents of Dusheti region who gathered at House of Culture in Dusheti Municipality.
"The cultivation of perennial crops is a priority direction for agricultural development. Inclusive development is very important for us, which implies that all, including a small manufacturer being involved in the development process. The new sub-component, "berry crops" aims to support the small-scale farmers" said Levan Davitashvili. As Mtskheta-Mtianeti governor, Shalva Kereselidze noted, that above mentioned program is very important for local population. The program enables farmers to develop their own small farms and get benefits within the state project.
100% of the value of the purchased seedlings will be financed in certain regions under the new sub-component, in case if seedlings are bought at the local market or in case of their import. 100% of the cost of drip irrigation systems will be financed; In case of need, 100% of the value of necessary planting materials will be financed as well.
The sub-component will be implemented in Imereti - Sachkhere, Tkibuli, Chiatura, Kharagauli, Baghdati, Vani, Khoni municipalities and several villages of Zestaponi municipality; in Guria - Ozurgeti, Lanchkhuti and Chokhatauri municipalities; Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti - Ambrolauri, Lentekhi, Oni and Tsageri municipalities; Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti - Tsalenjikha, Martvili and Chkhorotsku municipalities; Mtskheta-Mtianeti - Mtskheta, Tianeti, Dusheti and Kazbegi municipalities.
In case of a natural person, one beneficiary is allowed to plant berries on at least 0.15 ha and not more than 0.5 ha of agricultural land.
Agricultural cooperative (owning the agricultural land as shares put by shareholders) The area of cultivation of berry garden is defined by the amount of agricultural land plot put by each shareholders, owning no more than 0.5 ha of land for each .
A cooperative obtaining an agricultural status will receive funding for at least on 5 hectares of garden. The cooperative will receive a single unit stationary refrigeration equipment required for primary warehouses with a capacity of 20 tons. The implementation of the project "Future Future" was launched in March 2015 by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.
The project aims effective use of agricultural lands in Georgia by means of planting perennial crops, which will replace imported products with local ones, the project will promote export, ensure raw materials for agro processing enterprises and subsequently it will improve living standard and socio-economic life conditions of rural population.