New hazelnut storage enterprise opens in Lanchkhuti municipality with the joint support of the state and the USAID

New hazelnut storage enterprise opens in Lanchkhuti municipality with the joint support of the state and the USAID

The First Deputy Minister of Environment and Agriculture Mr. George Khanishvili together with the Mission Director of USAID -Georgia, Mr. John Penell and State Representative in Guria region, Mr. Giorgi Urushadze paid a visit to the opening of the new hazelnut storage plant in the village of Aketi, Lanchkhuti Municipality.
''GHGA Commercial'' LLC is a modern hazelnut storage company , which has a capacity to store up to 1,000 tonnes of hazelnuts. The company is a beneficiary of the project ''Co-financing of Agro Processing and Storage Enterprises''.

In total, more than GEL1 million was invested in the enterprise, including the USAID grant, where, the state grant exceeded GEL 390,000, and GEL 390,000 was a preferential agro-credit. The company plans to sell its products on the local and international markets.

"The new storage enterprise was opened through joint financial support of the Rural Development Agency and the USAID. The enterprise will receive hazelnuts from farmers, which will be tested in the laboratory; At the same time, hazelnuts will be dried at the enterprise under the controlled conditions, where the long term storage will be also ensured. Accordingly, farmers will be given the opportunity to sell the stored hazelnuts at a convenient time for them. Both the state and the USAID will continue financing similar projects in the future as well.

It is also worth mentioning, that the Mission Director of the USAID -Georgia, Mr. John Penell pays a visit to Guria region for the first time. He met farmers, got familiar with their needs and capabilities. We believe, that the USAID will continue to support the development of the agricultural sector in the country'' said the First Deputy Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture, Mr. George Khanishvili.

"I am delighted to have the opportunity to attend the opening of the storage enterprise together with our partners representing the private sector, local and central government. Hazelnut growers face many challenges. Together with our partners, we help them to improve the quality of their products and become competitive.

We support them within the framework of our program, the cost of which is USD 7.4 million and which is being implemented for 7 years. This is a very good example of the partnership between the Georgian and American people, which has been successfully implemented for the last 30 years," said the USAID Mission Director Mr. John Penell.

It should be mentioned, that through state support, 196 enterprises have been co-financed within the framework of the project ''Co-financing of Agro Processing and Storage Enterprises'' across Georgia, where, the state grant exceeded GEL 95 million GEL. Moreover, 13 enterprises were co-financed, within the same project in the Guria region, the amount of the state grant exceeded GEL 5 million.