The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Otar Shamugia, and State Representative of Guria region, Giorgi Urushadze, visited the hazelnut plantation of farmer Levan Kapanadze in the village of Guturi, Chokhatauri municipality, where they learned about the hazelnut picking process and met farmers who used the points accrued on their agricultural cards.

“We helped each small-scale farmer in a targeted manner, assisting in purchasing specific hazelnut maintenance techniques. In terms of other forms of assistance, hundreds of new dryers and processing companies have been established due to our funding and programs. The industry is growing, and the state assistance is vital”, - said the minister.

Giorgi Urushadze, the state representative of Guria, addressed hazelnut farmers to take full advantage of the state funds and opportunities for promoting hazelnut production and to have high-quality products that will be competitive in the domestic and international markets,

The farmers claim that state support programs help them receive higher yields annually, increasing their income and well-being.

According to the state program, hazelnut growers who possess and/or own a garden of not less than 0.2 hectares and not more than 3 ha are eligible to participate in the mentioned program. The state provided them with a grant of GEL 500 per acre. Overall, more than 90 000 farmers benefit from the state program. More than 44,000 hectares of hazelnut orchards have undergone pest treatment and taken disease control measures.