The “Guria’s Fruits” project, launched in 2023-2024, is a transformative initiative aimed at bolstering local agriculture and entrepreneurship in Chokhatauri Municipality, part of the picturesque Guria region. Funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland under the “Polish Aid” Development and Humanitarian Assistance Program, this project symbolizes the power of international cooperation in fostering sustainable development and community resilience.
A key milestone of the project was the signing of a cooperation agreement between Poland’s Tarczyn Municipality and the Guria Vine and Wine Cluster. This partnership facilitated the renovation and equipping of the Guria Fruits Incubator in Zemo Fartskhma village. As seen in this video, with modern tools and equipment provided by Tarczyn Municipality, local farmers now have the resources to process citrus and other fruits into premium products. The incubator serves as a shared facility, accessible to all Chokhatauri residents, enabling them to press, pasteurize, and package their produce for a nominal operational fee.
To ensure product quality and build consumer trust, items processed at the incubator are certified with QR code-embedded branded labels. These QR codes provide detailed information about the producers and their other offerings, promoting transparency and strengthening connections between farmers and consumers. The project also integrates innovative approaches like the Farm-to-Fork (F2F) model, enabling direct online sales and minimizing intermediaries in the supply chain.
By empowering local farmers, enhancing product traceability, and connecting them to broader markets, the “Guria’s Fruits” project is a catalyst for economic growth and community empowerment. With its focus on sustainable practices and entrepreneurship, the initiative not only transforms the agricultural landscape of Guria but also serves as a replicable model for similar regions worldwide.
Check out more about the project in this video.