How do you describe your current life situation in general?
Agriculture is a hopeful profession, and most farmers in Georgia live with the hope of a better future. Unfortunately, there are no governmental support programs for organic farming in Georgia so far.
Why are you a farmer and do you like your job?
The welfare of farmers is crucial for the whole country. That is why I chose this profession. The profession fascinates me because I have relationships with people who care about the environment.
What are the advantages of working for Pakka Partner «Pakka Georgia»?
The cooperation has several valuable advantages, among which I would like to highlight the following:
the possibility to get theoretical and practical know-how about organic farming
obtain better prices for our nuts thanks to the premium price model (market price + premium for organically produced nuts)
A Nuts Deposit System, which allows us to deliver the nuts right after harvest, dry them there, store them professionally and sell them only when prices are high and fit).
the possibility of receiving money in advance
How long have you been working with «Pakka Georgia»?
I have already been working with them for 6 years.
What has improved in your life in general since you started working for «Pakka Georgia»?
My approach to environmental issues has improved massively. I try to harm the soil and the water as little as possible and in this way earn an income for my family. In addition, I now grow everything organically and no longer use herbicides or banned chemicals. This year, for the first time, I will produce organic fertiliser (compost) myself and try to increase soil fertility with natural methods.
What has improved for you and your family during the last year?
Over the past year, the condition of the plants in my garden has improved significantly. Almost no more harmful diseases are observed, which is due to the acquired knowledge and my hard work.
What improvements do you hope for in the coming year?
Farming is my dream job. After three years of waiting, this year I am undergoing organic certification for the first time. The certificate and the premium price will further increase my motivation to produce quality products. As you know, the premium price is the most important motivating factor for an organic farmer, and I want many of my neighbors and friends to want to get into organic production as well.
Residence: Georgia, Zugdidi municipality, Village Akhali Kakhati
Family status: Married, father of two children
Alter: 46 years old
How do you describe your current life situation in general?
Life in general has become more expensive. Workers' wages have increased, organic pesticides and other inputs have become more expensive. The price of hazelnuts has fallen in the last year.
It is certainly positive that the number of pests (BMSB: brown marmorated stink bug) has decreased, but unfortunately this pest still causes great damage.
Why are you a farmer and do you like your job?
I personally love the relationship with nature. My family owns a piece of land on which my ancestors already grew hazelnuts. I now continue this family tradition.
What are the advantages of working for Pakka Partner «Pakka Georgia»?
I always thought I had a good knowledge about hazelnut cultivation. But after participating in a project of theirs, I learned so much about increasing soil fertility, pest control with organic methods, proper harvesting and storage. That amazed me a lot!
How long have you been working for «Pakka Georgia»?
Over 6 years.
What has improved in your life in general since you started working for «Pakka Georgia»?
The conditions for product drying have been improved. Previously, we had to dry the nuts at home and then bring them to the factory. In this way, it was difficult for farmers to maintain the quality. Last year, Pakka Georgia dried the hazelnuts at the factory with their own resources and achieved much better results. This now helps us a lot in the future to achieve an improved quality.
What has improved for you and your family during the last year?
Compared to previous years, the price was lower last year. Although the premium price has increased, the rise in production costs has unfortunately cancelled out this factor.
What improvements do you hope for in the coming year?
I very much hope that prices will rise again and that this will also increase our income.
Family status: Married, mother of a son and grandmother of a grandson.
Age: 60 years old
How do you describe your current life situation in general?
Farmers face different challenges: We have to deal with the efficiency, profitability and sustainability of our business.
The cultivation of a certified and high quality hazelnut crop requires great financial and physical resources. In terms of sustainability, since we produce organic hazelnuts, we have had to buy organic inputs, rent equipment and do more physical labor.
Why are you a farmer and do you like your job?
Farming requires a lot of hard work and overcoming various difficulties, but it is a very interesting and profitable profession and I love nature.
What are the advantages of working for Pakka Partner «Pakka Georgia»?
They help us sell organic hazelnuts at a higher price and make the sales process easier.
How long have you been working for «Pakka Georgia»?
For 3 years.
What has improved in your life in general since you started working for «Pakka Georgia»?
The collaboration has improved my income. I have followed their advice on hazelnut cultivation, which has improved the quantity and quality of our harvest. The process of selling the harvest has been simplified.
What has improved for you and your family during the last year ?
Despite the epidemic situation and the financial crisis in the world, my financial income has improved. However, my health problems have worsened, because I have already contracted Covid 19 twice.
What improvements do you hope for in the coming year?
My wish is that the work of farmers is appreciated more again. But also that the value of our products increases. I hope that this year I can buy a tractor that will help me in my daily work.
Residence: Georgia, Zugdidi municipality, Village Darcheli
Family status: Married, father of 1 child
Age: 53 years old
How do you describe your current life situation in general?
I am particularly concerned about the lack of government programs for organic farming. That is why we rely on international non-governmental organizations.
I would like to see the number of BMSB (Brown Marmorated Stink Bug) decrease compared to previous years and the quality of the nuts increase accordingly.
Why are you a farmer and do you like your job?
I personally have a higher education in the non-agricultural field. In the dark 90's when it was impossible to find work in the countryside and people had a hard time finding bread, I started farming. Since then I have been practicing this activity and have gained a lot of experience.
What are the advantages of working for Pakka Partner «Pakka Georgia»?
The main advantages of cooperation with the association are the premium price and the existence of a deposit system. Of course, the acquired knowledge about organic farming is also worth mentioning.
How long have you been producing for «Pakka Georgia»?
The cooperation has already been running for 7 years.
What has improved in your life in general since you started working for «Pakka Georgia»?
The condition of my hazelnut garden and the quality of the nuts have improved. In my opinion, the acquired knowledge is more important than any other equipment or machine.
What has improved for you and your family during the last year?
Compared to previous years, it is too difficult to find workers during the harvest season. Everyone flees abroad, and consequently there are fewer people who can work locally.
There is another problem: there are fewer hazelnut shelling machines available during the harvest season. If I harvest the hazelnuts in time but cannot shell them immediately, the quality of the product drops.
What improvements do you hope for in the coming year?
I expect a quantitatively and qualitatively better harvest this year. Therefore, I would like to see the deposit system maintained and the premium price increased to make it worthwhile to stay in organic farming.
How do you describe your current life situation in general?
Despite the pandemic, we try to produce high quality and certified products. We have to deal with various challenges, such as rising prices for inputs, which increase the cost of orchard maintenance. New hazelnut diseases that need to be controlled in time to produce a high quality product. Lack of labor, etc. It is impossible for farmers to overcome these difficulties if they do not receive constant outside support.
Why are you a farmer and do you like your job?
Farming is a time-consuming, interesting, financially rewarding and stable work. My family owns many lands and therefore I had to farm them. With time I got used to this activity and in the meantime it became my favorite job.
What are the advantages of working for Pakka Partner «Pakka Georgia»?
Working with them helped me to solve the problems associated with the hazelnut harvest, that is, the proper care of the garden, keeping the product in good conditions. And product sales.
How long have you been producing for «Pakka Georgia»?
For 3 years.
What has improved in your life in general since you started working for «Pakka Georgia»?
Since we started working together, a number of things have improved: - The financial income - The process of harvest delivery to the factory became more modern. - Supply of equipment for work on the farm
What has improved for you and your family during the last year?
Depending on inflation, the financial situation has worsened. Prices have increased for everything and we have to live with this crisis. However, my financial income has improved. This year we have received a premium price for certified hazelnuts.
What improvements do you hope for in the coming year?
A higher price for a products with organic certification.
Residence: Georgia, Zugdidi municipality, Village Darcheli
Family status: Married, father of 3 childern
Age: 40 years old
How do you describe your current life situation in general?
As in all areas, there are positive and negative moments. I will start with the negative and then move on to the positive. The state has no concept of promoting organic farming, and we depend here only on NGOs and the private sector. Their resources are limited and do not allow every organic farmer to stay motivated. In the hazelnut plantation, I used a drip irrigation system for the first time, which increased the yield of the crop compared to the previous year. I would like to advise all farmers: If you want the core of the hazelnut to develop normally, you should set up a drip irrigation system in the garden at least from May to July.
Why are you a farmer and do you like your job?
I always wanted to be a farmer. It's a tradition in my family. I love being close to nature. That is probably the reason why I chose to become a farmer.
What are the advantages of working for Pakka Partner «Pakka Georgia»?
The main advantages of cooperation are the premium price and the existence of a deposit system. For me it is extremely important that I do not have to store the harvest at home.
How long have you been producing for «Pakka Georgia»?
In total, my collaboration spans over 6 years.
What has improved in your life in general since you started working for «Pakka Georgia»?
I was able to improve my knowledge in the field of organic farming, which was reflected in my garden and consequently in the family income.g.
What has improved for you and your family during the last year?
The premium price improved slightly last year, so I had more income than in the previous year.
What improvements do you hope for in the coming year?
I expect premium prices to rise further this year. The cost of production has increased in general, which has had a negative impact on our livelihood in particular. Accordingly, the increase in the premium price, directly increases the motivation.
Residence: Region Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Gemeinde Tsalenjikha, Dorf Pakhulani
Family status: Married, father of 1 daughter
Age: 37 years old
How do you describe your current life situation in general?
For me, as an organic farmer, the conditions for the production of certified organic products are improving year by year. First of all, information about organic methods of hazelnut cultivation has become accessible, more organic pesticides have been introduced in the country, which facilitates the work in the garden.
Most of the cooperative members are involved in the certification system, which contributes to the quality assurance of biodiversity and the production of more organic products in the village. The price of organic products should be improved.
Why are you a farmer and do you like your job?
My life as a farmer was influenced by several factors: - The family had a lot of land. - I have been more or less involved in this activity since my childhood and I have gained a lot of experience. - I wanted to be close to my family members and this gives me the opportunity to stay with my family and live normally
What are the advantages of working for Pakka Partner «Pakka Georgia»?
They provide us with convenient, inexpensive and simple services for the transportation and utilization of the harvest.
How long have you been producing for «Pakka Georgia»?
For 3 years
What has improved in your life in general since you started working for «Pakka Georgia»?
The cooperation supports us with services that include modernized product sales and good conditions for harvest storage.
What has improved for you and your family during the last year?
The situation in the country has led to an increase in the price of everything, which has had a very negative impact on our income. We have more income, but the quality of life is lower than before.
I have improved my financial income by getting a premium price for certified products.
What improvements do you hope for in the coming year?
The premium price for hazelnuts should be high, so that I can better manage the farm.
Project partner «Pakka Georgia»
Hazelnut bushes have always grown in western Georgia. But the farming families often lack the necessary knowledge to sell their nuts profitably. For about 10 years, Pakka has been helping the farming families in this region to build a sustainable hazelnut value chain. In the meantime, the hazelnuts are certified organic and are processed locally in a modern nut processing plant and sold through fair trade in Switzerland and Europe.
