Harvest Starts in Racha-Lechkhumi Region
Following on from the Kakheti region, the annual grape harvest has begun in mountainous Racha-Lechkhumi. Agriculture Minister Levan Davitashvili and Lower Svaneti Governor, Papuna Margvelidze, arrived in the region to open the Coordination Headquarters of Grape Harvest 2016 in Ambrolauri Municipality.
The Minister noted that harvest preparatory works have been completed and the government is ready to successfully conduct the harvest process.
The Minister himself participated in the harvest in Saketsia village before heading to Bugeuli village to visit the grape processing factory there.
“At present, 100 tons of grapes have been processed in Racha. The harvest here will be conducted as successfully as in Kakheti,” stated the Minister, going on to promise the locals that each farmer’s harvest will be purchased.
The local farmers expect around 500-600 tons of Aleksandrouli and Mujurouli grapes this year.
“The harvest is underway in an organized manner. The demand for local grapes is very high, particularly from entrepreneurs,” Governor Margvelidze stated.
Harvest Coordination staff in Racha-Lechkhumi will be led by the Head of the National Wine Agency, Giorgi Samanishvili.
At this stage, 15 wine companies are registered at the Ambrolauri Harvest Coordination headquarters.
Initially, six grape receiving centers were opened - three in Ambrolauri and three in the villages: Chrebalo, Bugeuli and Khvanchkara. The centers receive grapes from 10 am to 6pm.
In order to promote grape growing, the government has subsidized the harvest and will issue 0.45 GEL per kilogram for Rkatsiteli grapes, 0.20 GEL per kilo for Saperavi and 0.45 GEL per kilo for Kakhetian Green as subsidies.
The highest price is on Mujuretuli and Aleksandrouli grapes with wine factories having to pay 2 GEL per kilo within the state subsidies program.
After delivering the grapes to the factories, the village farmers will receive their money within 15 working days by presenting their ID cards.
Thea Morrison