Transcript Document

Organic Agriculture
Development in Georgia
Prepared by : Mariam Jorjadze, Elkana
Cologne
October 2011
Content
1. Introduction – Georgia / Elkana
2. Why Organic?
3. Current Framework for OA in Georgia
4. OA Development in Georgia – statistical data
5. Concluding Remarks
1. Introduction
GEORGIA - Country Information
1. Introduction
GEORGIA - Map
1. Introduction
GEORGIA - Some basic data (2009)
 Population: 4.2 million; rural – 47.3% (2.08mln)
 Surface area: 69,700 sq km
 Capital: Tbilisi
 Major Ethnic and Linguistic Groups: Georgian70%,
Russian8%, Armenian6%, Azeri5%
 Official Language: Georgian
 Agriculture share in GDP – 8.3%
 Employed in rural areas – 1.05 mln, of them 0.863mln
self employed
1. Introduction
About Elkana
 The Biological Farming Association "Elkana", a nongovernmental Georgian organization, was founded in August
1994.
 Since 1996 Elkana has been a member of the International
Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM).
 The association membership is open to any citizen of
Georgia interested in the development of organic farming in
the country, as well as the protection of the environment.
Elkana encourages participation without distinction of
gender, age, disability or ethnicity.
 Elkana aims at improve the socio-economic conditions of the
population of Georgia through fostering the development of
sustainable & organic farming and increasing the selfreliance of the rural population.
2. Why Organic?
 Georgia is a small mountainous country with strong
agricultural traditions, where many of today’s crops were
domesticated through the centuries.
 Its diverse environment is suitable for the production of
many different crops. Georgia is well-known producer of
high quality wines, fruits and vegetables.
 However, complex mountainous landscape and land
fragmentation often do not allow Georgian farmers to
benefit from economies of scale or compete in global
commodity markets.
 Elkana has a vision of Georgian agriculture - which
traditionally employs more than half of the total labor
force of the country - as producing high value, organic
products.
2. Why Organic?
 Conversion to organic can be easier because many
farms are operated under low- or no-input systems.
 Organic agriculture offers opportunities to increase
agricultural production in a more self-reliant way
without need of expensive inputs.
 Hand labor in agriculture is very common and the labor
force is relatively cheap therefore production costs of
organic products are not high.
3. Current Framework Conditions
 The Law on Organic Agri-production, which entered
into force in October 2007, is suspended at present.
 Restriction for use of “eco”, “bio”, etc. signs without
appropriate certification, is suspended as well.
 It is planned to include organic as a quality criteria in
Food Safety Regulations – the changed regulation
which will be discussed in the Parliament in coming
days…
3. Current Framework Conditions
 Caucascert - the first Georgian certification agency,
which provides its clients with independent, third party
certification of organic food systems, is operational.
 Caucascert has been accredited by the Office of the
German Accreditation System (DAP) and its organic
certificate is valid in the whole European Union.
 The scope of the DAP accreditation is plant products.
3. Current Framework Conditions
Other Organic Certification Bodies operating in Georgia:
 IMO – Georgian branch of the international certification
body; in Georgia Mainly works on certification of wild
collections.
 BCS (Turkey) – international certification body that
makes certification of about 1000 farmers involved in
Hipp Baby Food project.
 For certification outside of Europe Caucascert
cooperates with CERES, Germany
3. Current Framework Conditions
 There are not any subsidies or other type of benefits
foreseen for organic farmers in the Georgian
legislation.
 Organic Farming Development in Georgia has been
supported by European Donors:
EED, Misereor, Diakonishes Werk – Germany
SDC and EPER/HEKS – Switzerland
OxfamNovib, Avalon Foundation, Cordaid – the
Netherlands.
4. Organic Agriculture
Development in Georgia
Organic Area in Georgia
2004-2010
3500
3000
Ha
2500
2618
2870
2000
Agricultural Land
1516
1500
1000
500
0
1208
130 247 251 251
48
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Wild Collection
4. Organic Agriculture
Development in Georgia
Certified organic/in-conversion production in Georgia
Type of Production
Total Area (Ha)
Already Certified Area (Ha)
Essential oils
659
656
Apple
351.96
291.96
Pomegranates
112
112
Vineyard/Wine production
128.96
39.1
Diary & cheese production
57
0
Nuts
45
0
Tea
33
0
Laurel (Bay Leaf)
30
0
Wheat & rye
20
1
Persimmon
20
10
Honey & royal jelly
12.45
0
Vegetables
11.8
0
Grain crops
8.8
4.3
Citruses and Kiwi
4.15
0
Cherry
2
0
Organic manure and inputs, alfalfa
20
0
Total
1516.12
1114.36
5. Concluding Remarks
 General problems of Georgian Agriculture – land
fragmentation, undeveloped agricultural infrastructure,
limited access to finances, technologies and
knowledge, have negative impact of OA development
 At present, growth of OA is slow in the country, but
development is visible
 Export is main driving force for OA development – most
of the organic products are intended for export:
essential oils, wine, fruit juices, nuts, etc.
5. Concluding Remarks
 Organic agriculture offers opportunities to boost
agricultural production and bring greater income from
exports, but at the same time, development of local
market is very important!
 There is an emergent interest to organic products on
the local market! “Target Audience” is already
established and growing!
 Fast developing tourism sector, especially its eco,
natural and rural tourism segments, will also demand
growth of Organic Production.
5. Concluding Remarks
Therefore, we strongly believe that Georgian
agriculture avails a great potential that can
bring forth a real economic effect, provided it
is properly & Organically managed!
5. Concluding Remarks
Thank You for
Listening!
www.elkana.org.ge