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

print

share

Levan Davitashvili got acquainted with the measures taken against the Asian Stink Bug

The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Levan Davitashvili held meetings with the employees of the coordination center in Abasha to get acquinted with the ongoing measures taken against the Asian Stink Bug. Otar Danelia, Chairman of the Agrarian Issues Committee, Minister of Agriculture of Ajara, Tite Aroshidze, Governor of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Aleksandre Motserelia, Zugdidi majoritarian MP, Edisher Toloraia and representatives of local authorities attended the meeting.

Levan Davitashvili stressed, that Georgian government will carry out large-scale measures in the fight against the invasive pest and continue active communication with local residents.

"This year should become a turning point in the fight against the invasive pest. Last year we had achieved an important progress. This year our capacity has grown significantly. Last year we had 150 units of equipment; this year with the help of donors, their number increased to 250. in recent years we have gained  an experience and we are more mobilized to defeat the  invasive pest " - said Levan Davitashvili.

The main challenge in the previous year was to save and protect hazelnut crop, however, apart from the  activities taken against the brown marmorated stink bug, other complex activities are also planned to undertake to protect and maintain the hazelnut crop -was noted by the Minister..

"In order to get a good quality hazelnut harvest, together with the hazelnut Production Association we have a plan comprising of integrated activities. we will help and support farmers in different ways including chemical treatment activities to implement through using special equipment and machinery "said Levan Davitashvili.
Otar Danelia, Chairperson of the Agrarian Issues Committee declared, that this year is a turning point in the fight against the pest.

"This year will definitely be a turning point, because the fight against the Asian stink bug has increased on an unprecedented scale. This is reflected in terms of mobilizing specialists and technician equipment. Active measures are carried out in all municipalities, but this does not give us a chance to relax. Obviously, we should continue these processes, "Otar Danelia said.

This year, 250 units of equipment is mobilized for taking pest control measures. At this stage plant protection specialists of the National Food Agency implement monitoring to detect invasive pests. The monitoring results will be considered prior to make plans for chemical treatment control measures.