Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture David Songulashvili visited the Samegrelo region to meet with farmers and entrepreneurs, emphasizing the critical role of direct engagement in understanding and responding to their needs.
“Every working meeting held with farmers and entrepreneurs in the regions is of utmost importance for understanding their needs, needs that require a timely and effective response from our side,” said Minister Songulashvili.
During the visit, the Minister met with beekeepers and visited the beekeeping breeding base in Mukhuri, operated by the Scientific-Research Center. Beekeeping, a deeply rooted tradition in Georgia, remains a vital area of focus for the ministry.
“The Georgian honeybee is unique and internationally recognized. Preserving and reproducing this species is essential, and that’s exactly why the Mukhuri breeding base is so important,” Songulashvili stated.
The Minister also met with blueberry producers and hazelnut farmers, two sectors of increasing economic importance.
“Hazelnuts are one of Georgia’s most economically significant crops. We are among the world’s top seven hazelnut exporters,” noted Songulashvili.
He highlighted the government’s extensive support for hazelnut farmers, which includes orchard development, harvest storage, pest control, and especially the ongoing fight against the brown marmorated stink bug. Currently, 250 units of specialized equipment are engaged in controlling the pest across the country.
One of the main challenges in the hazelnut sector remains orchard dieback, an issue that the Agricultural Scientific-Research Center is actively investigating in order to provide targeted solutions for farmers.
Regarding blueberries, Songulashvili emphasized their rising importance as an export product.
“Despite spring frosts damaging part of this year’s crop, blueberry exports increased by 36% compared to the same period last year, reaching USD 40.5 million. This growth reflects the effectiveness of our agricultural support programs.”
