In Samegrelo starting distribution of pesticide fogging machines

Georgian Hazelnut Growers Association (GHGA) has launched distribution of pesticide fogging machines In Samegrelo starting from the village of Natsatsu of Zugdidi Municipality with the aim to effectively fight against the Asian brown marmorated stink bug.

 100 machines have been distributed in this village so far. 

The handover ceremony was attended by Giorgi Khanishvili - the First Deputy Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture, and Alexander Motserelia -  the State Representative of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti

The farmers got operational manual of granted machinery and were provided with detailed instructions for treatment.

The hazelnut survival campaign has moved into a main phase. Georgian Hazelnut Growers Association’s Campaign - "Save Nut Harvest" is being implemented with support of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, local self-government, "Ferrero" and USAID.

The Association is delivering pesticide fogging machines granted from the State government to farmers free of charge and is obliged to coordinate and monitor hazelnut treatment at all stages.

The campaign is aimed at increasing awareness of farmers on effective methods of pest control and management, as well as hazelnut treatment and harvest management  

Up to 200 informational meetings have been provided with farmers of Samegrelo, Imereti and Adjara so far.  

Georgian Hazelnut Growers Association’s coordinators and trainers have spoken about the importance of nut garden treatment and accepted applications from farmers interested in participating the project.

At the current stage, 15,000 farmers have been enrolled in the hazelnut harvest survival project. They have already been divided into groups and team leaders chosen to be given a pesticide fogging machines to further supervise the treatment process. Some families living in Gali region also expressed their interest in gaining some knowledge on modern methods of marmorated stink bug control.  

Up to 20 farmers from Gali region attended the training in the premises of the GHGA office in Tsalenjikha in March. The agronomists and field experts of the Association conducted theoretical as well as practical sessions.  

Fighting against the Asian brown marmorated stink bug has been urgent and topical for the whole population of Georgia.

Major parts of its works have been carried out by GHGA and farmers’ involvement is now crucial. Supplementary to granting the machinery to farmers the Association will be supporting them in obtaining fertilizers and pesticides on favorable terms. Foremost, the Association will be supervising the high quality provision of agro- treatment activities.