The International conference Organic Farming and Agroecology was organized by the Biological Farming Association Elkana on June 23, 2023, in the Fabrika conference hall. The conference was opened by Elkana Director Mariam Jorjadze and Deputy Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture Solomon Pavliashvili. Raimund Jehle, the Deputy Regional Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), sent a video appeal specially for the Conference. Beka Urushadze – HEKS-EPER regional director for the South Caucasus, Giorgi Tchumburidze – Economic Advisor of the Danish Embassy, Kim Noelle Kwibuka – Brot fűr die Welt representative (Germany) and Ketevan Khutsishvili – Rural Development Program Manager of the European Union Delegation to Georgia, also welcomed the conference.
The international conference Organic Farming and Agroecology
At the international conference the role of organic and agro-ecological agriculture in improving the agri-food sector and transforming it into equitable and economically, socially and ecologically sustainable system was discussed. The Conference covered the following issues from global, regional and Georgian perspectives:
- Session #1 – Organic Farming Development Tendencies
- Session #2 – Organic and other Quality Marks in Hazelnut Sector
- Session #3 – Agroecology and Farmers’ Rights
- Session #4 – Market access: Practical Examples Benefiting Organic and Agroecological Producers
Local and international experts, as well as farmer organizations from Georgia, the region and beyond from 12 countries presented their findings and experience at the Conference.The conference was attended by about 150 participants – representatives of governmental, international, civil society organizations and scientific institutions; organic and agroecological farmers, companies involved in organic production, and other stakeholders.
In parallel with the Conference, Farmers Fair of local, organic and eco-friendly products was held. After the conference, one- and two-day tours to Elkana conservation farms in Kakheti and Samtskhe-Javakheti were organized for the participants.
Supporters
The Conference was held with financial support from the Danish Development Agency (DANIDA), HEKS-EPER (Switzerland), Brot für die Welt (Germany), Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and Agroecology Fund. And the conference was supported by organizations – European Coordination – Let’s Liberate Diversity, European Coordination Via Campesina (ECVC) and Schola Campesina.
Conference materials (presentations and video recordings of the speeches) are available on the Conference website – www.conference.elkana.org.ge
ELKANA
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.
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
