The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with support from the European Union and Sweden under ENPARD IV, has relaunched a matching grant scheme to support small and medium-sized hazelnut producers in Georgia.
The programme aims to strengthen food safety practices and improve product quality across the sector.
The initiative focuses on improving post-harvest handling, which FAO says is a critical stage where inadequate drying and storage can lead to aflatoxin contamination, making produce unmarketable and causing financial losses for farmers.
The grants target producers in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Guria, Kakheti, Adjara and Imereti who have completed FAO-supported training on hazelnut production, food safety and post-harvest management.
FAO says the scheme combines technical training with financial support, allowing farmers to invest in modern equipment for post-harvest operations.
Under the programme, FAO donors cover 70% of investment costs, while beneficiaries contribute the remaining 30%.
Eligible applicants must manage between 0.5 and 30 hectares of hazelnut orchards, have registered legal status and meet technical requirements.
Available equipment includes vertical hazelnut dryers, conveyor belts, vertical elevators, destoners and cleaning tables designed to reduce contamination risks and improve drying processes.
FAO ENPARD IV Programme Manager Guido Agostinucci says the initiative builds on progress already achieved in the sector.
“By supporting farmers who have already strengthened their knowledge, we are now enabling them to invest in practical solutions that improve food safety, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance their competitiveness,” Agostinucci said.
EU Delegation to Georgia Programme Officer for Sustainable Food Systems Denis Reiss says the bloc is committed to supporting Georgian farmers in meeting quality standards.
“With the EU accounting for 70% of Georgia’s hazelnut export volume, these investments are crucial to secure market share and maintain reputation in Europe,” Reiss said.
In 2025, 22 hazelnut producers across Georgia were supported through a similar scheme, enabling investments in equipment that improved drying efficiency and reduced contamination risks.
The relaunch aims to expand the programme’s impact and reach more farmers across the country.
