Tbilisi: Agriculture Minister of Georgia, Otar Shamugia, visited the citrus processing plant and got acquainted with the manufacturing process. Along with him, the Head of the Adjara Government, Tornike Rizhvadze, Chairman of the Agricultural Affairs Committee of the Georgian Parliament, Nino Tsilosani and Minister of Agriculture of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara Zaza Sha Vadze in Kobuleti municipality also visited the plant.
Following their visit, it was noted that the citrus processing plant “Georgian Mandarin” will be able to deliver 250 tons of citrus in 24 hours, will process paraffination and package according to European standards. The firm, which employs 50 locals, plans to get 3,000 tonnes of citrus fruit in the ongoing season.
By the decision of the Adjara government, this year, a subsidy will be given for industrial processing (non-standard) mandarin. 15 tetri co-financing is provided by the state for 1 kg of industrial mandarin. The factory will pay five tetri; therefore, the price of the tangerine for processing will be 20 tetri. Enterprises will start receiving non-standard tangerines in the coming days.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Shamugia, as he participated in the tangerine harvesting process, stated that “We need to promote the process so that each farmer can harvest, realize and get an income from citrus.”
The process of harvesting and realization of citrus has begun in Adjara, and citrus is an important source of income for the part of the population in Adjara and Guria region. As Shamugia noted, “We need to facilitate the process so that every farmer can establish, actualize and reap crops. This is why a headquarters was created to coordinate this process. It is also important that, by the decision of the Adjara government, a subsidy will be given.”
“Up to 20 enterprises accept mandarin for processing and exporting, and the process is organized in this regard. “We here, as in any other culture, are encouraging farmers to fully integrate crops and get adequate revenues,” Otar Shamugia said.
