Severe Drought That Changed Georgia and Its Agriculture

The most severe drought in Georgia occurred in 2000-2001. This drought truly threatened agriculture in Georgia, one of the country's most important economic sectors, for the first time. In the eastern plain regions, the sun dried the land for 19 consecutive days, demonstrating to farmers and the government the inefficiency of the existing water resource management systems and the country's agro-technological development. During those years, crop losses amounted to 95% in the east, 66% in the center, and 10% in the west.

However, Georgia is still at risk of drought, and the likelihood of this will sharply increase under a high emissions scenario. By the end of the 21st century, the probability of severe drought could exceed 70% in some regions. Droughts will become more frequent and intense. A recurrence of the events of 2000-2001 could easily happen again if Georgia had not taken the measures it has implemented.

The AMMAR Project, launched in 2015, is part of the Georgian Ministry of Agriculture’s modernization program, supported by IFAD, GEF, and DANIDA. It aims to address agricultural challenges through climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices, which help farmers adapt to climate changes while sustainably increasing yields and incomes.

Key initiatives of AMMAR include:

• Pruning of fruit trees: Prevents damage from heat and moisture.
• Natural windbreaks: Protect against wind erosion, improve soil quality, and enhance crop yields.
• Beekeeping: Supports agricultural productivity and biodiversity, diversifies incomes.
• Composting and vermiculture: Improve soil quality.
• Greenhouses: Protect crops from adverse weather conditions.

AMMAR also provides equipment such as anti-hail nets, organic fertilizers, drip irrigation systems, and seedling nurseries. Training sessions, demonstration plots, and exchange visits are organized for farmers to learn best practices and explore new opportunities.

Wind Protection: Windbreak plantations on more than 2,800 hectares have reduced wind speed, controlled soil erosion, improved snow distribution, increased food and wood production, and enhanced livestock productivity. This has led to improved crop quality and yield, reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 234 tons of CO2 equivalent, and created habitats for 1,000 animal species. https://www.ifad.org/en/web/latest/-/csa-georgia

Disaster Relief

Despite the constant risk of drought, Georgia has inherited a desirable geographical location that includes 22 microclimatic zones. Thanks to this variety of microclimates, Georgia can grow a large number of agricultural crops; for example, around 23 types of berries and fruits are cultivated in Georgia alone. This factor, combined with others, attracts foreign investment and major buyers to the Georgian food and dried fruit markets. Significant international support and funding, including from IFAD, GEF, DANIDA, UNDP, and others, only prove Georgia's attractiveness and potential. Source.

It is also encouraging that significant progress has been observed in the development pace of the agro-industrial sector in recent years. Specifically, over the past decade, production in the agro-industrial complex has increased by 112%, and in 2022 alone, it will grow by another 14%. The added value of the industry has also significantly increased, reaching $1.75 billion, which is 13% more than in 2021.

Investments in Georgia’s agricultural sector reached a substantial amount of $6.2 billion in 2022, with the government providing $1.2 billion as co-financing.

Over the past 20 years, the country and local producers have learned a lot and created conditions under which drought has less impact on supply reliability. As a result, in 2022, the country achieved a record level of agricultural product exports amounting to $1.3 billion, covering 96 countries. In 2023, the government invested $6 million in promoting Georgian products in key international markets, focusing on strategic regions such as the USA, Europe, and the UAE, to further expand the industry’s reach. In 2021, the volume of agricultural product exports from Georgia to the UAE was $1.1 million, indicating significant potential for future growth. Source.

How our company has adapted to this

At Caucasus Organic Fruits LTD, the story of adapting to drought is one of resilience and innovation. Our journey began with the realization that the changing climate posed a significant threat to our operations. Determined to safeguard our future, we set out to ensure that drought would not disrupt our supply chain or compromise the quality of our dried fruits.

The first step was a revolutionary change in our water management practices. We invested in water recycling technologies and drilled wells that allow our plant to operate even during drought conditions. The second step was to ensure that our fruit suppliers took all possible measures to prevent crop loss during droughts.

Recognizing the need for flexibility, we diversified our sourcing strategies. We established partnerships with producers in various regions, reducing our dependence on any single location. This approach not only mitigated the risks associated with drought but also allowed us to experiment with drought-resistant fruit varieties, ensuring stable supplies even under the most challenging conditions.

Technology played a crucial role in our transformation. We integrated advanced systems to optimize water and energy use in our production processes. Our innovative drying methods not only increased efficiency but also aligned with our commitment to sustainability.

Finally, our dedication to research and development led us to new frontiers. By investing in the development of drought-resistant fruit varieties and innovative drying technologies, we ensured that our solutions remained at the forefront of industry advancements.

Through these efforts, Caucasus Organic Fruits LTD has secured supply chain and strengthened our ability to deliver high-quality dried fruits, even in the face of a changing climate.