Summing up the ADB-funded FAO project in Dusheti
FAO established ten Farmer Field Schools in the villages of Kvesheti,
Arakhveti, Jaghmiani, Benian-Begoni, and Bedoni. In this format, the
local community members were presented with the opportunity to learn
about modern techniques of dairy and vegetable production, as well as
beekeeping.As part of the visit, farmers participating in the project
met with the FAO Georgia team members who handed them various
agricultural inputs to improve food safety standards in small-scale
production, as well as advancing their production capacities.Meeting
the dairy farming communitiesDuring the visit, the dairy farmers, most
of whom are women, received livestock care items, which ensure
increased production capacity, and, importantly, improved quality and
safety of their dairy products. As part of the project, they were also
supplied with udder care items, digital thermometers, mastitis test
kits, chymosin – a good quality rennet, cheese forms, mineral block,
calf feeder, cattle feed, and gloves.The FAO veterinarians provided
the required knowledge and instructions on the utilization of these
tools with 53 training participants from the local communities of
Arakhveti, Kvesheti, Jaghmiani, Kaishaurni, Seturebi, Zakatkari,
Benian-Begon, and Bedonii. The training sessions for dairy farmers
included topics such as milk and its consistency, animal diseases and
parasites, mastitis treatment, good hygiene and milking
practices.Moreover, Dairy Farmer Field School participants have the
required knowledge about European cheese-making techniques to meet the
growing demand of the Georgian market for higher-end dairy
products.Supporting the resilience of local vegetable producersThe FAO
Georgia team members also provided trays for seedling production and
fertilizers to the local farmers who participated in the project.
These tools and equipment will support them in producing more and
higher-quality produce locally. The local vegetable producers had also
received earlier three moto blocks to be shared among them to prepare
soil for planting. This equipment is especially useful for mountainous
communities who own small plots of land in otherwise challenging to
access locations with larger machinery.Through the established Farmer
Field Schools, 35 vegetable farmers attended ADB-funded FAO training
series and learned about seedling, potato production and composting.
They are now better equipped with the necessary knowledge for optimal
soil and irrigation management, as well as controlling weeds, pests
and diseases. Providing adequate nutrition to plants was also an
important component of the training series for the local vegetable
producers.The FAO Georgia agronomists also established demo plots on
two vegetable producers’ lands to test and compare six different
Dutch potato varieties that provide high yield, and are recognized for
early maturity, water stress and virus stress resistance. As a result,
local farmers will be able to observe which varieties of potato are
best adapted to their climatic conditions. The FAO-supported demo
plots are therefore a path towards improved production considering the
specific local environmental factors, which are of crucial importance
to consider amidst a changing climate and are key to ensuring that
agricultural efforts are resilient to global warming.Keeping up with
the beekeepersBeekeeping is part of the agricultural heritage of the
Khada valley. There are few local beekeepers producing honey that is
unique to the region and important for the resilience of the local
communities. In addition to representing an income generating
activity, beekeeping plays an important role in sustaining the
ecosystem through the provision of pollination.Four beekeepers
attended ADB-funded FAO training sessions on improved production and
food safety in the honey sector. They also received protective
beekeeping equipment, ensuring adequate and safe provision of care for
their bee colonies.During the visit, bee farmers of Khada valley and
the FAO Georgia veterinarians further exchanged their knowledge and
experiences. They reflected on the integration of food safety-related
practices, the knowledge and skills of which were shared during FAO
training series tailored for the region’s specific needs.As a symbol
of successful completion of the educational modules, participating
local beekeepers were provided with varroa check cups and
refractometers. With varroa being one of the major emerging beekeeping
pests in Georgia, the check cups support beekeepers in monitoring the
presence of varroa mites, which are already present in Dusheti.
Whereas, refractometers help farmers in identifying the water content
in their honey. Knowing the moisture content is crucial, since
excessive moisture can cause fermentation and spoilage of honey. The
provided beekeeping inputs will further support producers in ensuring
food safety of their honey and safe production.Summing upFor the past
year, FAO, through ADB funding, has supported local farming
communities in the villages of Kvesheti, Arakhveti, Jaghmiani,
Benian-Begoni, and Bedoni by providing them with the necessary
technical and practical knowledge to improve production capacity and
food safety of their agricultural products. With the acquired
knowledge and tools, 72 local farmers are now better equipped to
ensure their resilience and also market competitiveness. Most
importantly, by utilizing the information, skills and tools shared by
FAO, supported farmers in the region are now capable of producing more
dairy products, honey, and vegetables that are safe for
consumption.Quotes“Through ADB’s support, FAO has been making a
difference for the small-scale local farming communities. Our project
has had a considerable impact on improving food security and food
safety in the region. Importantly, with the knowledge, practical
skills and tools that the local producers have gained within the
framework of the project, they can now produce agricultural goods that
are more competitive on the national market,” said Guido
Agostinucci, FAO Programme Manager.“We are proud of this excellent
partnership with FAO, as it builds on ADB’s commitment to foster
climate-smart agriculture practices in Georgia. We are committed to
supporting communities, especially in rural and mountainous areas of
Georgia, in generating economic opportunities and strengthening
their livelihoods and resilience towards climate change,” says
Lesley Bearman Lahm, ADB Country Director in Georgia___With the
support of ADB, FAO is implementing Farmer Field Schools in the
Kvesheti, Arakhveti, Jaghmiani, Benian-Begoni, and Bedoni villages for
the local communities, including the populations in the Khada Valley,
with a special emphasis on empowering women farmers. The project aims
at supporting them in advancing small-scale vegetable, honey, dairy
and potato production, and improving their resilience.
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