In order to promote the primary production of tea the relevant amendments were made to state program. In accordance with the amendments made to the Program “Georgian Tea”, the rehabilitation area was reduced from 5 ha to 3 ha and tea-planter farmers are afforded the opportunity to purchase manual tea picking equipment with 50% co-financing.

The beneficiary of “Georgian Tea” program (except the agricultural cooperatives) will get the funding for 70% of actually implemented rehabilitation works, but not exceeding 2 500 GEL per 1 ha.  90% of actually implemented rehabilitation works, but not exceeding 3 000 GEL per 1 ha will be funded for agricultural cooperatives. 

Tea plantation(s) owned by program beneficiary or/and tea plantations subject to rehabilitation selected by program beneficiary and to be received on lease from the state, shall not be less than 3 ha and more than 300 ha. 

According to the amendments made to the “Program of co-financing of harvesting agricultural machinery”, the tea-planter farmers are afforded the opportunity to purchase manual tea picking equipment with 50% co-financing.

Effective use of tea plantations potential in Georgia, support for growth of local tea production (including bio-tea) and as a result, improvement the level of self-sufficiency and export potential are the most important priorities of Rural Development Agency.