On 20^th of June, 2018, in Khulo Municipality, ENPARD Khulo project organized a training on Sustainable Forest Management. The training was conducted by the Head of the Ajara AR Agriculture Ministry Department ‘Fight against Forest Diseases’ professor Rezo Vasadze.

Main topics of the training were biological diversity and international value of Georgian forests, Georgian forests Eastern and Western ecosystems, level of sanitation, problems faced by Georgian state forestry bodies and ways of solving/mitigation of those problems. During the training importance and role of forests in increasing of agriculture produce was also discussed. The training was attended by 12 participants, including Khulo LAG members and local farmers. the training was interactive and participants were able to ask questions based on individual examples and discuss topics of their interest.               

The training was organized in the framework of the EU funded project “Promotion of Rural Development and Diversification in Khulo Municipality” implemented by Caritas Czech Republic in Georgia (CCRG) in partnership with Croatian non-governmental organization HMRR and PMC Research Canter, under the European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD).

The EU is supporting agriculture and rural development in Georgia through its ENPARD Programme. Implemented since 2013 with a total budget of EUR 179.5 million, the main goal of ENPARD is to reduce rural poverty in Georgia. The first phase of ENPARD in Georgia focused on developing the potential of agriculture. The second and third phases of ENPARD focus on creating economic opportunities for rural population that go beyond agricultural activities. More information on ENPARD is available at: www.enpard.ge