Georgia expands its network of busy yards to boost wood sector

To implement a unified wood production and supply system, “busy yards” are being arranged across the country. The National Forestry Agency has set up 40 “busy yards”; 17 additional “busy yards” will be completed by the end of the year in the Kakheti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, and Guria regions.

Kakha Tsertsvadze, the head of the National Forest Agency in Mtskheta-Mtianeti, in the village of Kudro, got acquainted with the progress of the “busy yard” arrangement.

The National Forest Agency has been responsible for providing the population with saplings obtained through organized forest use. The agency has begun work on the implementation of new services that will allow residents to purchase firewood and use transportation services easily.

The head of the National Forestry Agency, Kakha Tsertsvadze, said, “From the busy yards, the population will be able to buy glass as well as toiletries as an already manufactured product, and they will not have to find their resources and produce dangerous forest activities.” 

He also mentioned, “According to the plan, “busy yard” will be arranged in all municipalities and equipped with appropriate human and technical resources. “We bought special purpose equipment too.”  

Co-financed by the Green Climate Fund, Germany, Switzerland, and Georgian governments, the Georgian forest sector support project, “ECO. Georgia,” was started by one of the leading executives of the National Forest Agency. 

The project will cover eight municipalities in 3 regions of Georgia over the next five years and aims to reduce pressure on Georgian forests by implementing all measures required for sustainable forest management.

Busy yard

A “busy yard” is a place where wood is processed, stored, and sold in a regulated and sustainable manner. The National Forestry Agency of Georgia launched the “Busy Yard” project in 2019 to improve the efficiency and transparency of the wood sector, as well as to protect the forest resources and create jobs for local communities. 

The “busy yards” have modern machinery, fire safety systems, and electronic monitoring devices. They also provide training and certification for woodworkers and entrepreneurs. The “busy yards” are expected to reduce illegal logging, increase the quality and value of wood products, and contribute to the development of the green economy in Georgia.