Scoping mission with Wageningen University & Research - Georgia (2022)

Georgian agribusiness has many untapped opportunities. Bureau Leeters participated in a team of Wageningen University & Research that conducted a scoping mission in Tsalenjikha, a municipality in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, West Georgia. The mission made clear that the region has development opportunities in hazelnuts, berries, other fruits, tea, (Megrelian) dairy products, honey and more. However, lack of knowledge and skills hinders adequate development and therefore the main conclusion of the mission was to create a knowledge and innovation hub for training, demonstration, capacity building and business development.

The assignment was initiated by the Eastern European Centre for Multiparty Democracy (EECMD). EECMP supports the Tsalenjikha municipality, which is the only municipality in the country that has a mayor and deputy mayor from opposition parties. Against the background of this higher degree of political independence from the party that rules the country, EECMD aims to enhance the development and investment potential of the municipality in various sectors. Agribusiness is one of them.