FERT : Looking back at our solidarity action in 2024

In the Lesser Caucasus, a region in the south of Georgia, 64% of the population lives in rural areas and depends on dairy farming. The aim of our cooperation with Fert is to develop this dairy sector and improve the standard of living of dairy farmers. In 2023, activities focused on the following priorities. Providing livestock with a more balanced diet and implementing monthly health quality monitoring. Improving soil and pasture fertility through fertilization, seed purchases, and the introduction of new forage plants. Advising farmers on cheese production and supporting their participation in competitions and comparative tastings.

In a challenging general context, following the adoption of the law on foreign influence, FERT’s local partners had to declare themselves as “organizations serving foreign interests” and disclose the sources of their funding. These initiatives highlight the commitment of FERT and Fromi to the sustainable development of livestock farming and cheese production in Georgia.
13.349 € were provided from the 2023 revenue of the Xavier David brand and used for various actions in 2024.

• 1) LIVESTOCK NUTRITION
  • Training on soil and pasture fertilization by the GBDC technician (FERT’s technical partner in Georgia): raising awareness about soil health, crop rotation, soil structure testing, and the use of manure as fertilizer.
  • Implementation of rotational grazing systems: a successful example from farmer Archil Mgeladze (7 paddocks on 4 hectares) following his study tour in Savoy in October 2023.
  • Support for alpine farming by the GBDC team: visits to farmers in July and advice on various aspects of milk production
  • Additional actions:
    • Creation of a brochure presenting the results of the “Forage Beet” trial.
    • Continued group purchasing of seeds and mineral lick stones.
    • Monitoring of 20 herds to optimize feed rations.
    • Training on livestock nutrition basics for students in veterinary assistant programs
    • Collaboration with a retired director of a French agricultural high school to assess training needs in Georgia’s agricultural sector.

• 2) CHEESE PRODUCTION
  • Production cost analysis: comparison of margins across seasons (result: consistent profitability year-round).
  • Initial drafting of specifications for Tenili cheese with a group of 21 producers:.
    • Sharing conclusions from 2023 tastings to define Tenili’s sensory properties (aroma, taste, consistency, texture).
    • Setting production criteria (production zone, livestock feeding, milk type, recipe, packaging, marketing).
    • Organizing a group purchase of clay pots to preserve traditional production methods.
  • Study tour organized by GBDC with Tenili producers to explore Dambalkhacho cheese: exchanging knowledge about the preservation and traditional production of this soft-ripened spherical cheese with a bloomy rind.