During the period of May 1 – August 9, Georgia has exported 25,9 tonnes of peach and nectarines, which has exceeded 7,6 tonnes (41%) and 7, 9 million USD (51%) in comparison to the previous year.Export has been carried out to the Russian Federation (16,915 tonnes), Armenia (7,688 tonnes), Azerbaijan (269 tonnes), Ukraine (671 tonnes), Belarus (119 tonnes), Kazakhstan (95 tonnes), Moldova (116 tonnes) and Slovenia (59 tonnes).

The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Mr Levan Davitashvili scrutinized matters related to vintage together with the representatives of the National Wine Agency and the Agricultural and Rural Development Agency. “We are undertaking maximal efforts to ensure successful vintage, enabling farmers to accommodate their harvest and also foster storage-processing efforts at the enterprises. We have already undertaken specific steps by the State through initiating subsidizing efforts, which soften the pandemic turmoil and safeguard farmers, as well as the quality of wine producers; we shall maintain stable development dynamics of the area” – Minister Davitashvili stated.  The Government of Georgia has decided to provide subsidizing to the company, which purchases and processes at least 100 tonnes of “Rkatsiteli” or “Kakheti Mtsvane” in Kakheti; the respective company shall pay at least 0,9 GEL to the farmer per 1 kg of grapes, while the State will provide 0,35 GEL subsidizing to the company per kg. In the course of the meeting, attendees stressed out that vintage 2021 shall be organized at an organized manner, thus, similarly to the previous years – 24/7 coordination unit will operate, which will be located in Telavi. At this stage, technical arrangements of the coordination unit are underway. In 2021, Georgia has projected a record amount of 300, 000 tonnes of grape vintage.

The Minister of Environmetal Protection and Agriculture of Georgia has prohibited hunting on migratory birds at the Samukhi Valley of the Dedoplistskaro municipality in order not to disrupt reintroduction efforts of Gazelle, which has been covered under the Red List.Based on a monthly monitoring results – hunting on migratory birds on the Samukhi Valley pose tremendous difficulties to the process of recovering the Gazzelle population project. Gunshots scare Gazelles and they change their patterns through escaping to pushes and trying to remain safe, thus making it easier for wolfs to hunt them.  Since 2013, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and their Caucasus Office has joined efforts with the LEPL Agency of Protected Areas under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, including though meaningful engagement of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan and Government of Georgia have been succeeding in the project of recovering Gazelle population. The Department of Environmental Supervision under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia will ensure oversight. Please, access the following link: mepa.gov.ge

A person willing to hunt the migratory birds shall acquire the following:Pay the respective fee with regard to hunting on migratory birds as set forth by the Law of Georgia on Fees for the Use of Natural Resources of Georgia (10 GEL); within the seven days (including the payment date), a person shall have a document confirming payment or fee whether in a physical or electronic form; During hunting, the respective person shall have a license issued by the relevant agency under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia for keeping and storing that particular hunting weapon.Payment of the fee can be handled at any bank of Georgia, to the State Treasury, the code of the Bank: 220 101 222; account information: №200122900, the budget income treasury code: 3033. The Department of Environmental Supervision under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia ensure an intensified 24/7 monitoring of illegal hunting and violation of hunting rules during the season. Upon detecting a violation, citizens shall dial hot line of the Ministry – 153 (without an index, the call is free of charge and is anonymous), to enable the Department of Environmental Supervision under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia and their regional agency to instantly respond. More information on illegal means of travelling and list, dates and daily limits on migratory birds permitted for hunting, as well as description of fee can be accessed at: mepa.gov.ge

Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Mr Levan Davitashvili visited the village of Chumlaki to observe accommodation process of the peach harvest. Minister Davitashvili met with the representatives and exporters of the freezer industry. The meeting was also attended by Majoritarian MP of Gurjaani municipality, Mr Davit Songhulashvili, State Trustee of the Kakheti region, Mr Irakli Shioshvili and representatives of he local municipalities. “This year, we are embracing a successful season, which has resulted into a record amount of export of peach and nectarines. At this stage, a total amount of exported production amounts to 24 thousand tonnes. I firmly believe that the season will commence successfully in Kakheti. Simultaneously, export will be conducted in Shida Kartli and it will proceed for another month. We have to stress out that the respective success has been translated from a consistent policy. The State has already addressed some of the key weaknesses in the delivery chain, which has mainly dealt with the quality and infrastructure, as we have had deficit of freezer locations. Several years ago, we only had one freezer unit and how there are more than 40. An infrastructure in the village of Chumlaki has been supported by the State co-funding, which will result into a highly competitive Georgian peach at export markets” – Minister Davitashvili stated.Peach realization process will be handled in an organized manner with an open-window principle. The phyto-sanitarians are actively engaged into the process; meanwhile, freezer enterprises have hosted representatives of the customs office to make sure that export in handled undisruptedly. The State-supported green corridor principle has ensured that production is delivered to Larsi customs office.  Apart from Kakheti dwellers, the peach harvest of Kakheti also employs people from other regions of Georgia. 

During the period of May 1 – August 1, Georgia has exported 22,9 tonnes of peach and nectarines, amounting to 20, 6 million USD. Export has exceeded 7,2 tonnes (46 %) and 7, 2 million USD (53 %) in comparison to the previous year.Export has been carried out to the Russian Federation (14, 726 tonnes), Armenia (6, 902 tonnes), Ukraine (592 tonnes), Azerbaijan (269 tonnes), Belarus (119 tonnes), Moldova (116 tonnes), Kazakhstan (95 tonnes), and Slovenia (59 tonnes).  

Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Mr Levan Davitashvili met with the Head of the Oil and Gas Company BP, Ms Aytan Hajiyeva to discuss enhancement of renewable energy sources in Georgia, as an effort to soften the Climate Change. In the course of the meeting, Minister Davitashvili briefed Ms Khajieva about Georgia’s aspirations and actions toward softening the climate change. “In accordance with the obligations set forth in the Association Agreement with the European Union and aspirations to enhance green economy in the country, Georgia has undertaken numerous meaningful steps. We have already adopted the following three documents – “Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) of Georgia”, Climate Change Stategy of Georgia for 2030 and 2021-2023 Action Plan for the Climate Change Strategy of Georgia for 2030. Georgia has already accepted an obligation to decrease greenhouse gas emission at a national level by the year of 2030– to 35 % as a comparison to 1990. The international community makes significant contributions to the respective processes, such as the European Union’s member states and international donor organizations. We are open to any initiative and eager to cooperation with any organization, which will assist Georgia to fulfill obligations set forth within the Association Agreement signed between Georgia and the European Union” – Minister Davitashvili stated.  In the course of the meeting, Head of the BP Georgia, Ms Aytan Hajiyeva stressed out one of the core directions for the company, which is a renewable energy, as well as enhancement of energy sources and ensure access to other modern technologies, which will be a successful action toward softening the Climate Change.“The BP has been operating in Georgia for 25 years. Apart from major projects in Oil and Gas – the company also undertakes projects for economic and environmental strengthening of Georgia’s regions. We plan to develop new opportunities, which will soften the Climate Change. Therefore, we would like to familiarize with an incumbent strategy of Georgia, which will enable the BP to set prospects for specific areas of cooperation” – Ms Aytan Hajiyeva stated.