The Biological Farming Association Elkana, a Georgian non-governmental organization, was founded in 1994. The association membership is open to any citizen of Georgia interested in the development of organic farming in the country, as well as the protection of the environment.
The Association facilitates the improvement of the socio-economic condition of the rural population of Georgia and environmental protection through fostering the development of organic farming, the introduction of agro-ecological practices, diversification of economic activity and increasing self-reliance of the population in rural areas.
At present Elkana pursues 3 strategic objectives:
- Organic Farming and aboriginal crops, breeds and related traditional knowledge become widespread in Georgia;
- Local environmentally friendly businesses contribute to diversification and development of rural economy in Georgia;
- Organic farming, agricultural biodiversity conservation and sustainable rural development are increasingly supported by public and/or private initiatives in Georgia.
Association Elkana works on the issues of the conservation of agricultural biodiversity since 1996. At present Elkana operates two demonstration / conservation farms in villages Tsnisi, Samtskhe-Javakheti (operational since 2004, focused on fruit and field crop landraces) and Zemo Khodasheni, Kakheti (operational since 2010, focused on landraces of domesticated animals).
Elkana is an active contributor to policy development related to agricultural biodiversity in Georgia – Elkana experts were involved in the elaboration of the agricultural biodiversity part of the first and second National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans of Georgia in 2003-2005 and 2011-2013. At the same time Elkana is an active participant of international networks working on agricultural biodiversity conservation, like SAVE Foundation (save-foundation.net), European Coordination La via Campesina, GENET, Bioversity International, Nyeleni – European Food Sovereignty Network, and Slow Food
