Giorgi Khitarishvili started growing potatoes with his parents when he was five years old. His family then lived in Val, Akhaltsikhe, in the south-west of Georgia. Now 25-year-old Khitarishvili is one well-known young farmer in Georgia who has achieved significant increases in income and success in growing potatoes.
“This year the price of potatoes is much higher than in previous years. Growing potatoes is a great business opportunity in our region, ”says Georgy. The young farmer harvested 1,5 tons of potatoes from 50 hectares of land last season.
Giorgi Khitarishvili is just one of several beneficiaries of the USAID Potato Program in Georgia, a three-year program supported by the International Potato Center (CIP). The goal of the program is to increase potato production in the country through improved varieties, innovative technologies and increased funding.
To obtain an impressive harvest, Khitarishvili grew several different varieties of potatoes (including Arizona, Picasso and Monaliza). He also planted Meskhuri Tsiteli and Tskriala with seeds provided by USAID.
Khitarishvili took part in an agronomic training workshop on potatoes with technicians from the CIP, who proposed new ideas to increase yields by preventing the spread of pests and diseases.
The young farmer is about to join the newly created network of potato growers, which is also part of the USAID program. He plans to continue developing his skills and knowledge about growing potatoes.
The Khitarishvili family is looking forward to next year, planning to expand the area set aside for potatoes on their farm.
USAID's Potato Program in Georgia is currently working with 2310 farmers in three municipalities: Tsalka, Akhalkalaki and Akhaltsikhe. About 10% of this group are young people who work side by side with the older generation of potato growers.