Sustainable Agriculture
The Competence Group focuses on promoting organic farming for sustainable rural development, covering social, economic, and ecological aspects. It includes the Center for the Development of Organic Agriculture (orovela organic) in Akhmeta, the Centre of Biological Protection of Plants (Bioagro), and their experts with relevant competences and experiences.
Expert: Zurab Karbelishvili
The Center for the Development of Organic Agriculture Orovela Organic is an association of 6 organic specialists and their families cultivating 20 ha of own land in the municipality of Akhmeta / Kacheti region / East Georgia developing for 3 years now:
Organic farming, bio-dynamic agriculture, regenerative farming and permaculture
Development of products and services ad markets
Practical and theoretical education in organic agriculture.
The eco-friendly farm reduces greenhouse gas emissions by using various eco-conscious farming practices to enhance soil health and capture carbon dioxide from the air. This process involves increasing soil humus, improving soil structure, and promoting natural fertility through diverse forest garden growth.
The orovela experts conduct theoretical and practical training for Georgian farmers based on the model farm and cultivation via demonstration projects with the participation of local and international experts in cooperation with Sustain Caucasus International and its Georgian and international partners including the Elkana Organic Farming Association.
Bioagro, the Centre of Biological Protection of Plants LLC is active in the production of plant protection and nutrition products, consulting, and phyto pathological laboratory services for the promotion of organic farming in Georgia. Bioagro has its own product range and imports organic plant protection products.
The Network:
Swiss Agricultural School Caucasus SASC, Green Business Association, EIKANA organic farming association, ProMestia Georgia - Switzerland, Naturland, Germany.
Our Experts:
Zurab Karbelishvili is the co-founder of “orovela”, the Center for the development of organic agriculture on a territory of 20 ha in the Akhmeta municipality together with a group of 6 organic farming specialists and their families, amongst Damit Gegetchkori. He has an MSc in biology with a specialization in botany, zoology, and ecology from the Tbilisi State University, Biological Faculty.
He has a long experience as a consultant and trainer in different fields of organic farming & permaculture, the development of agricultural cooperatives, cooperative structures, and association development. He is active in adult education and systems - training of trainers, conducting theoretical and practical training courses in Georgia and abroad – and has project management experience as a team leader in internationally funded projects incl. strategic planning, project monitoring, and evaluation.
Davit Gegetchkori is a system engineer and biotechnologist by education and the CEO of Bioagro Georgia, the Center for Biological Plant Protection. Davit is also co-founder of Orovela Organic together with Zurab.
Davit is active as a consultant and trainer in organic and biodynamic farming and permaculture and a specialist of biological methods and products of plant protection and nutrition in production and use.
