Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), under the EU-supported ENPARD programme, implemented a series of training modules on greenhouse production for farmers, extension staff of the public and private sector and rural producers of Georgia. From climate, soil and water management to seedling production, Integrated Pest Management and plant nutrition, intensive training covered all the important topics for a successful greenhouse production. 

The main objective of the training was to increase the knowledge of the different partners that provide support to the farmers in the field, as well as train some lead farmers that are already active in the horticulture production in greenhouses. 

The production of vegetables in greenhouses provides a good opportunity for farmers to get a significant yield using very little land, but at the same time requires an advanced knowledge of the vegetable production cycle to make the best use of the greenhouse installations that often can be expensive.

The workshop focused on specific practices covering the different aspects relevant to the production of the vegetable crops that are more widely produced in Georgia, and provided recommendations in terms of good agricultural practices. The workshop also provided technical recommendations for farmers to avoid practices that may reduce their yield or make their investments less sustainable.

At the end of the training, Mr. Georges Dehoux, EU Delegation Manager for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Safety and Mr. Javier Sanz Alvarez, FAO Programme Coordinator awarded certificates to the more than 40 participants who successfully completed the training modules. 

“EU, in partnership with FAO, bring best agricultural expertise to Georgian farmers. We are looking forward to seeing how the knowledge obtained in this training room will be reflected on your farms and greenhouses, leading Georgian rural population to better profitability and improved lives,” said Mr. Dehoux while addressing the participants at the certificate awarding ceremony.

Mr. Sanz Alvarez thanked participants for their dedication during the training and underlined FAO’s commitment under the EU-funded projects, to support Georgian farmers, rural producers and extension specialists to increase their knowledge on practical techniques that can significantly improve their production systems.

The EU is supporting agriculture and rural development in Georgia through its ENPARD Programme. Implemented since 2013 with a total budget of EUR 179.5 million, the main goal of ENPARD is to reduce rural poverty in Georgia. The first phase of ENPARD in Georgia focused on developing the potential of agriculture. The second and third phases of ENPARD focus on creating economic opportunities for rural population that go beyond agricultural activities. More information on ENPARD is available at: www.enpard.ge