Georgia’s Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Davit Songulashvili said aquaculture is one of the country’s most promising agricultural sectors with strong development potential. He made the statement during a visit to the Royal Trout Hatchery in Khoni Municipality, an enterprise established with support from the Rural Development Agency.
Songulashvili said the government is focused on promoting sustainable aquaculture development, increasing production capacity, and encouraging private sector participation. He highlighted Georgia’s 2024-2028 Aquaculture Sustainable Development Strategy, which aims to support the introduction of modern technologies, strengthen farmer assistance, and improve laboratory capabilities for fish disease control and quality production.
The Royal Trout Hatchery specializes in trout fingerling production and has an annual capacity of 2 million fingerlings, with all products currently sold on the domestic market. The facility employs five permanent workers, with seasonal employment increasing to around 10 people.
The company received support through the Rural Development Agency’s Preferential Agrocredit Project in 2024, which helped finance facility construction, rehabilitation, and the purchase of modern equipment. The government said the project contributes to expanding local aquaculture production and strengthening the sector.
