Marneuli villages

The Marneuli villages (Maradisi and Dioknisi), located in the southeastern Kvemo Kartli region of Georgia, border Armenia and Azerbaijan and are home to approximately 750 people. The villages were established by ecological migrants from the Adjara region seeking refuge from the constant threat of landslides and avalanches. Greenhouse vegetable production and dairy farming are predominant in the region and are the main sources of income.

The Marneuli villages boast a tight-knit, forward-looking community with women farmers, in particular, playing a leading role in agricultural cooperatives, farms, small businesses and local self-help groups. The villages have full and stable 4G Internet coverage. Smartphone and computer ownership is near ubiquitous, and social networks, notably WhatsApp and Facebook, are vital platforms for the exchange of information and sales of produce.

The Marneuli villages face increasing challenges from droughts, harsh winters and floods, which are becoming more common. Prolonged winters and frosts negatively affect fruit tree blossom cycles, leading to decreased harvests, while hot summers lead to the drying up of rivers, resulting in shortages of irrigation water. Furthermore, the rising salinity levels in the soil decrease its fertility, further exacerbating the agricultural challenges in the region.

Challenges

The agricultural sector in Marneuli villages is significantly affected by the broad fluctuations in climate, leading to increased frequencies of droughts that parch the land, as well as heavy rainfall and flooding that saturate the fields, leading to waterlogging, soil erosion and losses of crops. Strong winds pose another challenge to the sector, damaging crops and disrupting cultivation practices, while frosts harm crops, affecting their yield and quality. Hailstorms further exacerbate these issues through the physical damage of plants, reducing productivity.

Climate change is significantly contributing to the increase of soil salinity in the Marneuli villages. As temperatures rise, evaporation intensifies, leading to a concentration of salts in the soil. Heavy rainfall and floods then contribute to the dispersal of these salts, bringing them to the surface and further degrading soil quality. High salt concentrations place osmotic stress on plants, making it difficult for them to absorb water and nutrients, resulting in stunted growth, reduced yields and lower crop quality. Furthermore, saline-rich soils are associated with reduced soil structure stability, increasing the threat of erosion.

Due to the absence of warehouses, cold storage and refrigeration facilities, the vegetables and dairy products produced in Marneuli villages deteriorate quickly after harvesting, compelling farmers to sell their produce immediately to avoid spoilage, often at reduced prices due to seasonal oversupply. Post-harvest food losses are a recurring issue in the region, and the limited access to suitable transportation, such as trucks and vans with cooling compartments, further limits their access to distant markets where they could sell their produce at competitive prices.

While many farmers in the Marneuli villages own smartphones and computers, only a few make use of digital tools within the agricultural sector. Most farmers are unaware of the potential benefits digital technologies can offer to the agricultural sector.

Highlights

Veterinary technician, Shorena Jambazishvili, uploads the data of vaccinated animals into Georgia’s National Animal Identification and Traceability System, implemented with the technical assistance of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Digitalizing cows in Georgia

28/04/2023

Tracing animals and animal-origin products in a prompt and timely manner through NAITS is an integral part of the food safety chain. By registering and verifying the origin and health of the animals at every step of the value chain, NAITS ensures the delivery of safe food from farm to table in Georgia.

EU-supported Online Vineyard Pruning Video Tutorial for Viticulturists Now Available in Georgian

30/11/2023

In November 2023, video tutorials on respect pruning in vineyards became available online for Georgia’s viticulturists.

Smartphones are boosting gender equality in Georgia

07/03/2023

The use of social media is transforming people’s lives, including in small villages like Malika’s. By communicating through social media and messaging apps, women are creating new market linkages and partnerships