Project No 7305: Strengthening biodiversity-friendly and climate-adapted cultivation methods in Georgian organic agriculture.

Project period: 15 November 2023 to 30 April 2025

Implementation by:

Sustain Caucasus International Alliance, Georgia

Global Nature Fund, Germany

Co-funded by the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation BMZ

Project purpose:

The project aims to provide training and consultancy services for ecological and biodiversity-friendly farming to small and family-owned farms, and organic farmers in the Samegrelo region.

Project goal:

Farms in Western Georgia take advantage of the advisory and training opportunities for biodiversity-friendly and climate-adapted cultivation methods and farm management, thus increasing their resilience.

Project measures:

• A demonstration and training facility for biodiversity-friendly agriculture will be established, focusing on locally relevant crops, cultures, and cultivation methods.

• The comprehensive revitalization of a long-abandoned territory (owned by The House of Nature Pro Biodiversity Alliance).

• Through consultations and educational events on the application of diversified and adapted farming methods, the income of local farms will be improved in the long term.

• Cooperatives and agricultural organizations will receive expert advice and support to collaboratively shape a sustainable future and development.

• Awareness-raising initiatives will promote engagement and the establishment of a professional network in the project region, facilitating thematic exchanges with interested initiatives in other regions of Georgia.

Project No 8224: Promoting organic agriculture and the sustainable use of biodiversity in Georgia

The Caucasus is home to unique natural and cultural landscapes. As people migrate from mountain regions to cities, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the remaining population to earn a living from agricultural activities in addition to subsistence farming. At the same time, climate change, illegal logging, overgrazing, and increasing tourism are threatening the region's biodiversity. The project promotes and disseminates climate-adapted and biodiversity-friendly farming through the expansion of two demonstration centers for organic farming in western and eastern Georgia. Agricultural businesses will be prepared for eco-certification, and digital platforms will be developed to enable the marketing of products and the exchange of information in the organic farming and production sector. In cooperation with local agricultural vocational schools, a training program for organic farming is being developed and implemented, and trainers and consultants are being trained through courses. A  dialogue process and the formation of working groups with relevant local actors will drive the development of an eco-district to promote sustainable income opportunities. 

Project purpose: Local rural communities use and protect biodiversity to sustainably develop their regions' economies and societies.

Project goal: Young people and women, farmers, and entrepreneurs in the project regions of Martvili/Samegrelo and Kaspi/Shida Kartli apply methods to integrate biodiversity aspects into their value chains and benefit economically from this.

Project measures:

• Two centers for promoting biodiversity in the project regions, Martvili and Kaspi, support organic farming and production for sustainable regional development, offering organic farmers, local smallholders, students, and sectoral and regional networks demonstration, advisory, and training services on the introduction of climate-adapted, biodiversity-friendly agricultural methods.

• A coordination group for the promotion of biodiversity-friendly farming in the municipalities of Martvili and Kaspi, comprising stakeholders from the private and public sectors and members of selected village communities, women, and young farmers, supports an eco-district development path focused on promoting biodiversity to increase local value creation.

• The advisory and demonstration experience of both demonstration centers and their teams of experts is used in newly developed modules and programs in vocational training for agriculture and school education.

• Farmers have access to relevant information on organic farming in Georgia, agricultural businesses are prepared for eco-certification, and digital platforms enable the marketing of products and the exchange of information.

Project period: 01 May 2025 to 31 December 2028

Implementation by: Sustain Caucasus International Alliance, Georgia; Global Nature Fund, Germany; co-funded by the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation BMZ.