Our main goal should be to make sure that workers are motivated better and, through success stories, show that their work is appreciated, Georgian Prime Minister stated during today’s meeting with farmers in Samegrelo, where he was visiting together with Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Levan Davitashvili, Minister of Economy Natia Turnava, and Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti State Representative Giorgi Geguchia.

Irakli Garibashvili met with the farmers and familiarized himself with their needs in the hazelnut orchard of the village of Nakipu.

Local farmer Terenti Kvaratskhelia briefed the Prime Minister on the recent hazelnut harvest. According to him, this year’s harvest has been a record-breaker, largely thanks to the state’s support programs. He thanked Gribashvili for the programs implemented by the state to help farmers harvest quality crops.

Levan Davitashvili pointed out that hazelnut prices largely depend on quality, and maintaining high quality requires scrupulously observing the rules of hazelnut orchard-keeping; and farmers, in achieving this goal, are supported by the Hazelnut Growers Association incorporating almost 25,000 hazelnut farmers. The state has provided the association with 2,500 special pesticide sprayers to assist farmers, who receive recommendations on hazelnut-growing from more than 100 consulting agronomists, to help them carry out agricultural activities in an effective and timely manner.

The meeting also emphasized that storage is also key to keeping high hazelnut quality. Presently, with financial support from the state, drying and storage infrastructure has been put in place and operates in the country. According to the farmers, this infrastructure has been very helpful in terms of storing crops. They also expressed their wish to see more drying infrastructure of this kind. In response, the Prime Minister said that the state will build 30 new drying facilities, which will cost about GEL 15 million.

The meeting’s participants underlined that the effective cooperation between the state and the private sector has resulted in a system of hazelnut growing in Georgia, a factor empowering the country"s hazelnut industry and increasing farmers" revenues.

In 2021-2022, hazelnut sales are expected to bring in about USD 150 million.