Agriculture and Forestry
Support to the Effective Management of the Cooperatives in the Imereti region, Georgia
Budgetary measure: Support to the Effective Management of the Cooperatives in the Imereti region, Georgia
Implementing partner: People in Need
Budget for 2013: 1 500 000 CZK
Budget for 2014: 3 000 000 CZK
Budget for 2015: 1 000 000 CZK
Budget for 2016: 1 000 000 CZK
7/2015/04
(IDENTIFIKAČNÍ ČÍSLO)
6 500 000 CZK
(CELKOVÝ PŘEDPOKLÁDANÝ ROZPOČET)
2013–2016
(DOBA REALIZACE)
The project addresses actual needs of agriculture development in rural areas of Georgia aiming to improve economic situation in rural areas of Imereti region through sustainable operation of agriculture cooperatives. Farmers are often reluctant to work together using traditional techniques and keeping stereotypes for generations. Poor management of production and marketing with local commodities often results into low profits and weak market competitiveness. Despite several surveys indicate that cooperation is crucial for the survival of agriculture as an economic sector.

First output of the project is to improve the quality of agricultural production and to increase its volume through capacity building and improving skills of management, industry cooperation and new technologies among farmers. This output will be achieved by organizing seminars for members of cooperatives as well as for wider farming community. Also experience will be shared among entrepreneurs and farmers.

Second output is to promote the sustainable functioning and further development of agricultural cooperatives, which bring farmers and entrepreneurs of Imereti region together. This will be achieved by organizing expert meetings, intensive training for applicants and providing support to selected agricultural enterprises and cooperatives.

The final output of the project is to support the business environment for farmers through the dissemination of information on new legislation related to agriculture and farmers' involvement in planning of the development of agricultural infrastructure.

In 2013 the project team completed a market analysis through questionnaires and information about basic evaluation of members of cooperatives was collected. Farmers have participated in training sessions and have visited already functioning cooperatives. In July 2014, the director of CZDA was introduced into project, during his trip to the region of Imereti. During 2014, five training sessions were held, aimed at building capacity of members of cooperatives, as well as two-day training of trainers was organized.