Project

Recovery, Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Georgia’s Agricultural Diversity

The project - Recovery, Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Georgia’s Agricultural Diversity, launched in June 2004 with support of Global Environmental Facility (GEF) through local UNDP office, presented by the Biological Farming Association Elkana in the hotel Shereton Metekhi Palace on December 16, 2005.The project aims at promoting the local plant species and varieties by means of their introduction, conservation, and sustainable utilization in medium- and small-size farms.

Objectives

Support reintroduction of traditionally cultivated plant species in the farming systems of the country and promote their sustainable utilisation· Strengthening local capacities to manage and conserve on-farm local plant genetic resources important for food and agriculture· Improve farmers access to the seed and planting material of local plant genetic resources· Improve public consciousness concerning the importance of agricultural diversity, conservation and sustainable utilization of Georgia’s plant genetic resourcesMain

Activities:

Collect seed and planting material for inclusion in collections and further multiplication· Develop special programs for the farmers, engaged in the multiplication of local plant genetic resources;· Establish and strengthen the local associations of growers· Investigate local cultivated plant species with the purpose of their utilisation· Select strategic products prepared from the local traditional varieties· Promote new products through participation in fairs and food-taste events/workshops· Cooperate with governmental and scientific institutions, mass-media, etc.
 
In the 20th century not only has been the plant diversity reduced, but also the level of utilization of the indigenous crops. Such cultivated plants have become known as neglected and underutilized species. In fact, only 150 cultivated plants have been commercialized in the world, whereas their number totals several hundreds.Georgia is well-known for its diverse environment (a wide range of climates, soils, and vertical belts) and high variability in cultivated plants. During the long history of Georgian agriculture, local farmers carefully selected plants and seeds for planting and developed numerous farmer-selected varieties, which are well-adapted to local conditions in all the three major groups of crops (field crops, vegetables and perennials).

Not long ago, among the widely cultivated crops in Georgia were Italian millet, millet, rye, and endemic wheat varieties - from cereals; chickpea, lentil, beans, peavine - from legume plants; flax - from oil and fiber plants. At present, these crops are ousted from the local farming systems. Predominantly cultivated are maize and wheat - from cereals, haricot beans - from pulses. Such dead level could not but tell on the population’s diet, especially in rural areas.

The participants got acquianted with the problems related with reintroduction of indigenous crop varieties on farmers’ fields and with the main achievements made by the project so far. In addition they had a possibility to try traditional Georgian meals made from indigenous varieties of wheat, millet, hog millet, horse bean, chickpea and lentil.