ISET is continuing to assist Georgia to develop one of its most critical sectors: agriculture.

On October 20th, representatives of APRC presented the final results of its study on Livestock Farm-Enterprise Models in the Kakheti Region. The presentation was the final part of a study that started in June 2016, the goal of which was to show successful models with the potential to be replicated and to contribute to market-oriented production of cattle and pigs in the region. The analyzed and documented models should open perspectives to local entrepreneurs in engaging in pre-industrial production, as well as the processing and trade of milk, beef, and pork. The study presents options in overcoming resource-limited small-scale farming.

The results of the study were validated in two workshops. The first workshop took place in Tbilisi (at ISET) on August 19, with the second following in Telavi on September 2. ISET’s team presented all seven models and validated the received economic results of the study.

The last presentation took place in Kachreti and was attended by farmers, SMEs, input and service providers, representatives of the Information and Consultation Service centers of the Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia, MOLI representatives, and the ISET team.

The study is aimed at educating the business partners of farmers (the buyers of meat and milk, as well as input and service providers including ICC’s), vocational schools, and Kakheti's many arable and subsistence farmers who often work with pre-industrial era technology.

The outcomes of the study shall serve as inputs to the various business forums taking place regularly in each municipality of the Kakheti region since tackling the very central issue of cooperations working with regional livestock production contributes to a national policy dialogue, which MOLI leads in close cooperation with SDC.

The presentations were followed by a discussion, and the participants were invited to comment on each model; the attendees expressed particular interest in the results of the study.