A Targeted Program to Support Beekeeping Will Be Implemented
Based on the decision made at the session of the Government of Georgia, the Rural Development Agency will implement the "Beekeeping Support Program."
Within the framework of the program, beekeepers will be financed for 50% of the cost of the hives provided by the program, not exceeding 70 GEL per hive, and not more than 5,000 GEL per beneficiary.
To participate in the program, potential beneficiaries must have at least 10 bee families (at least 10 hives), and the number of requested hives should not exceed 150% of the number of bee families registered in the beneficiary's beekeeping farm at the time of application.
A mandatory condition of the program is that the potential beneficiary must be registered as a business operator and have their beekeeping farm registered in the National Animal Identification and Traceability System (NAITS).
The goal of the Beekeeping Support Program is to promote the establishment of a competitive and sustainable beekeeping sector.
It is noteworthy that the state supports the development of beekeeping through various programs and projects aimed at promoting the sustainability of quality honey production, access to sectoral knowledge, and increasing awareness of Georgian honey in international markets. This will potentially enable more quality Georgian products to reach both local and export markets.
Notably, more than 200 agricultural cooperatives have benefited from the Agricultural Cooperatives Program for Beekeepers, receiving over 18,000 hives and necessary beekeeping inventory with 70% co-financing from the state.
However, there arose a need for such a program to cover not only agricultural cooperatives but also individual entrepreneurs and legal entities registered in Georgia. A targeted program was prepared, which considers all the conditions and stipulations necessary for the effective and timely implementation of the program at this stage.