The Director of the Rural Development Agency, Davit Tsitlidze, visited the Coordinating Headquarters for Facilitating the Sale of Substandard Apples and the fruit processing plant "Shindisi," where he familiarized himself with the process of harvesting and selling the crop.

"Throughout Georgia, 12 companies are accepting substandard apples at a price of no less than 0.25 GEL per kilogram, of which 0.10 GEL is a state subsidy. As of today, 9,000 tons of substandard apples have already been delivered. The process will continue until December 15. Our goal is for farmers to be able to sell their apple harvest without hindrance," said the Director of the Rural Development Agency, Davit Tsitlidze.

LLC "Shindisi" is one of the companies registered at the Coordinating Headquarters for Facilitating the Sale of Substandard Apples. This year, the company has already processed 4,000 tons of substandard apples under the program.

Within the framework of the state program, 12 fruit processing companies are accepting substandard apples at 14 receiving points in the regions of Shida Kartli, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Kakheti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, and Samtskhe-Javakheti.

Since September of this year, fruit processing plants involved in the state program have accepted 9,000 tons of substandard apples. As a result, farmers have earned more than 2 million GEL in income.

Under the state program, the Rural Development Agency is providing a subsidy of 0.10 GEL per kilogram for substandard apples. The state subsidy is received by those fruit processing companies that, by December 15, 2024, purchase substandard apples from individuals employed in the fruit-growing sector for no less than 0.25 GEL per kilogram.