08/24/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/24/2023 05:37
The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Otar Shamugia, discussed the grape-harvest-related issues during the meeting with the wine grower farmers. Mr. Giorgi Aladashvili, the state representative of the Kakheti region, Majoritarian MPs Mr. Irakli Kadagishvili and Mr. Gela Samkharauli attended the meeting.
According to Mr. Shamugia, the state continues to assist the viticulture and wine sector by providing grape vintage subsidies, marketing, promotion, and logistics services.
"Unfortunately, the hail significantly damaged the grapes. We appreciate the state subsidizing and providing an appropriate amount for hail-damaged grapes, which will cover our costs. We were once again convinced of the necessity to have insurance every year", - noted the vineyard farmer Revaz Megrelishvili.
" Compared with the previous years, grapes are damaged due to climatic conditions. Therefore, it is good that there will be a subsidy; The state helps us with whatever we need to cultivate vineyards in the future, grow quality grapes, and take good care of them. 90 tetri in damaged grapes is acceptable", said Zurab Zuriashvili.
Mr. Shamugia also visited the ''Kindzmarauli Corporation''. The complex includes a wine enterprise and a tourist area. The enterprise owns 150 hectares of vineyards in the Kindzmarauli and Kvareli microzones, of which 100 hectares are planted in the traditional Kindzmarauli microzone. The company annually produces 25 types of wine and up to 10 wine brands, both from grapes grown from its vineyards and from grapes purchased from local farmers.
The mentioned products are exported to 26 countries worldwide and sold locally. The Minister highlighted the targeted state marketing programs providing wine producers with the opportunity to present their products at international exhibitions, find potential trade partners, and increase exports to different countries worldwide.
According to the founder of the corporation, Tamaz Konchoshvili, the hailstorm significantly damaged their vineyards this year therefore, he is going to purchase grapes from the growers during the Grape Harvest 2023.
''Kindzmarauli Corporation" is a beneficiary of preferential agro credit. The corporation benefited from the state project, regarding re-equipping the wine company, purchasing machinery, planting a vineyard, and purchasing grapes.
"We will receive 500 tonnes of grapes from the grape growers. Moreover, we appreciate the state subsidizing, and the assistance with the preferential agro-credit initiative and participation in international exhibitions", - noted Tamaz Konchoshvili, the founder of "Kindzmarauli Corporation".
With the support of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture and the National Wine Agency, the grape harvest has been going forward without any technical issues over the years. The Kakhetsian wine grower farmers will receive a decent income from state subsidies. Through state support, not a single kilogram of grapes will be left behind", said Mr. Giorgi Aladashvili, the state trustee in the Kakheti region.