News
David Songulashvili gets familiar with the process of preparing blueberries for sale in Zugdidi.
The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. David Songulashvili, along with the Director of the Rural Development Agency, Mr.Giorgi Darchia, visited the village of Zeda Etseri in the Zugdidi Municipality, where they observed the process of preparing blueberries for sale at the LTD "Gentry Investment" facility.
"The growing production of blueberries is a prime example of the success achieved through cooperation between the Government and the private sector. Currently, the cultivated area has reached 2,800 hectares, and the planting process is still ongoing. Despite the fact that spring frosts this year damaged part of the harvest, the increased production has resulted in a 36% rise in export volume compared to the same period last year.
The value of exported blueberries amounted to USD 40.5 million. Growing production not only ensures the local market's demand but also opens opportunities for export worth tens of millions of dollars, which increases the income of the population and, consequently, their well-being," stated Mr. David Songulashvili.
The modern facility of LTD "Gentry Investment" was established with financial support from the Government. The Rural Development Agency provided a grant of GEL 350,000, while preferential agro-credit exceeds GEL 4 million. This year, the facility will process approximately 350 tonnes of blueberries. The company integrates both a blueberry orchard and a processing facility, employing 30 permanent workers and up to 400 seasonal workers. The company exports its products to Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and Russia. This year, for the first time, it will begin exporting to Dubai, India, Hong Kong, Israel, and Singapore.
Notably, the preferential agro-credit issued for the primary production of blueberries across Georgia exceeds GEL 198 million, with the Rural Development Agency contributing GEL 90 million in co-financing. Under the "Plant the Future" program's orchard component, the establishment of blueberry orchards has been co-financed on over 2,700 hectares with an amount of GEL 39.8 million.
The Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Kakha Kakabadze, the State Representative of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, Mr. David Verava, the Head of the National Food Agency, Mr. Zurab Chekurashvili, and representatives of the local self-government accompanied the Minister.