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 non- governmental Georgian organization, was founded in August  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 self- reliance 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

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!