Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, David Songulashvili, visited the Samegrelo region. He met with beekeeping farmers at Mukhruri base.

Levan Ujmjuridze, Director of the Scientific Research Center of Agriculture, briefed the Minister on the infrastructural and technical capabilities of the beekeeping breeding base, including ongoing efforts related to the preservation of the local bee gene pool and breeding activities. The Mukhruri base has been operational since 2017 and serves as an essential infrastructure both for scientific research and for the protection and propagation of the Megrelian population of the Georgian mountain grey bee.

"Beekeeping has a long history in Georgia. Our goal is to fully support the development of all sectors that have real potential and can bring economic benefits. The Georgian bee is unique and internationally recognized, and its protection and propagation are essential tasks. Therefore, the Mukhruri base holds special significance for us", - said David Songulashvili.

A meeting was held at the base with beekeeping farmers. The main topic of discussion was the challenges facing the sector, including bee diseases, against which raising awareness and sharing appropriate knowledge are essential conditions for successful combat.

The Mukhruri beekeeping breeding base actively carries out queen bee breeding, the process of purifying the Megrelian bee population from hybrid bees, and ensures the effective management of breeding activities through the adoption of instrumental methods. Center regularly organizes open days, training sessions, and both theoretical and practical courses for beekeeping farmers and other interested parties, including young people. All mentioned activities contribute to knowledge sharing and the development of the beekeeping sector in Georgia.

David Songulashvili also visited the village of Zeda Etseri, Zugdidi Municipality, where 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", - said 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.

In the framework of visit, David Songulashvili met with hazelnut farmers in the village of Rike, Zugdidi Municipality. The meeting took place at the hazelnut plantation of local farmer Giorgi Zakaraia, a beneficiary of the Rural Development Agency. Zakaria has taken advantage of preferential agro-credit program to establish his hazelnut orchard and purchase agricultural machinery.

“For the past several years, the state has been implementing a range of programs to support hazelnut farmers. As a result, hazelnuts have become one of the most economically significant crops in Georgia. Our country now ranks among the world`s top seven hazelnut exporters. High-quality and abundant harvests are key to ensuring that our farmers enjoy good incomes. The government is supporting them across virtually every area - from co-financing the cultivation of hazelnuts on 1,100 hectares with GEL 2.9 million under the `Plant the Future` program`s orchard component to developing and maintaining well-functioning drying and storage infrastructure across the country. Additionally, 25 hazelnut processing and storage enterprises have been co-financed through state programs, and large-scale measures are ongoing to combat the brown marmorated stink bug", - said David Songulashvili.

It is worth mentioning that the preferential agro-credit issued to support the development of primary hazelnut production has exceeded GEL 41.8 million. In addition, a hazelnut production support program is being implemented nationwide. The program currently benefits more than 90,000 farmers across the country, providing them with financial assistance to purchase the agrochemicals and pesticides necessary for hazelnut cultivation and maintenance.

This year alone, farmers have already received approximately GEL 17.7 million in targeted support. The allocation of subsidy points is ongoing and will continue to be gradually distributed to all eligible participants who meet the program’s criteria. In 2024, hazelnut production in Georgia increased by 18% compared to the previous year, reaching 43.6 thousand tonnes. As a result of the higher yield, export volumes also rose. During the marketing year - from August 1, 2024, to July 13, 2025 - Georgia exported hazelnuts worth USD 118.9 million, marking a 44% increase compared to the same period last year. The growth in hazelnut exports was driven by improvements in the quality of the harvest - an achievement that directly reflects the effectiveness of state support programs.