The training Value Chain Analysis was delivered by Agricultural Policy Research Centre (APRC) at ISET Policy Institute. The project was funded by FAO Georgia. It took place in September-October 2014.

Winemaking is one of the oldest Georgian traditions that have survived to this day. Archaeologists have proved that the history of Georgian wine production reaches back into the past at least 8000 years. Arguably, this makes Georgia the earliest place on earth where wine was produced. And the tradition is alive – today there are not just big wine firms, but it is common among ordinary Georgians to grow grapes and produce their own, homemade wine.

Hospitality is one of the most prized aspects of Georgian culture. Welcoming (literal translation: "respecting") guests is a matter of great pride for any family. My mother grew up in a small Imeretian village, and as she tells me, the kids of the family were not allowed to eat until the guests were fully "respected", i.e. properly fed. Even the poorest household in the village would go out of its way (and income) to impress its guests with a cornucopia of local delicacies, meats, veggies, and homemade wine.

The goal of this study was to examine Georgia's agricultural export performance and make recommendations for its improvement. The study shows that the current structure of agricultural exports in Georgia is characterized by high share of processed products. Nevertheless, Georgia's agricultural export is currently concentrated on a few export products and is heavily dependent on CIS countries, being thus vulnerable to political and climate shocks.

In this study, the role of Family Farming was assessed with regard to three dimensions (economic, environmental and social) of sustainable development. Literature review, SWOT analysis, individual interviews with stakeholders and case studies were conducted in order to define the role of Family Farming in the sustainable development of Georgian agriculture.