Agricultural spending announced in time for spring
Tuesday, April 3
Kobakhidze spoke about a number of issues, including the preventive measures being taken against the American white butterfly. The budget to combat the pest has expanded threefold, to 1.2 million GEL. The Ministry has already purchased atomizers and other relevant equipment to fight the scourge, and will distribute it to municipalities based on demand.
He also mentioned mechanization issues, and noted that the mechanization service centre will open in Ozurgeti in the near future, which will cover the entire region.
According to him, much of the equipment has already arrived in Tbilisi and will be gradually distributed to the regions. Cultivation works will be cheaper for farmers this year and they will be implemented by a company called Mekanizatori.
Deputy Chair of the Committee and Single Mandate MP of Lanchkhuti, Gia Goguadze, was interested in combine provision issues, noting that a shortage of combines is a major problem for the region. According to Kobakhidze, a provision of 100 multi-functional combines is planned.
The Deputy Minister also spoke about citrus issues. In order to develop citrus farming, a demonstration corner for new citrus species will be held in Guria and local residents will have a chance to choose the most profitable species for their own uses.
The Deputy-Minister also answered questions from the representatives of regional municipalities.
After the presentation, Committee members and the Deputy Minister met with residents of Nigvziani, an area village. Goguadze and Kobakhidze announced policies on spring works and spoke of the innovations planned for local farmers. Residents raised issues of forest utilization and cleaning the local channel.