Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697741034359.pdf (Georgia)
Youth involvement in the development of agriculture and agricultural activities living in Georgia (Analytical report) 07/02/2017 Table of contents Executive summary ................................................................................................................................ 2 Research methodology .......................................................................................................................... 4 Main findings of the research................................................................................................................ 7 1.
Evaluation of youth policy of the state of Georgia ................................................................. 12 3.

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The most developing and promising fields in the agricultural sector ................................... 15 Evaluation of youth involvement in agricultural activities ................................................... 17 Identifying problems and challenges in the agricultural sector ............................................ 20 Income from agricultural activities as a major source of income for families ...................... 25 Examples of successful young farmers and their role in promoting agriculture .................. 26 The prestige of agricultural activities in youth ...................................................................... 29 Depopulation, aging and high quality of urbanization in Georgia ........................................ 31 The unemployment level in Youth ......................................................................................... 32 The main motivations of youth migrating from village to town .......................................... 32 Necessary activities and events for youth to get interested in agriculture ........................... 35 13.
How will the improvement of the existing situation in agricultural sector affect the youth motivation?

........................................................................................................................................... 37 14.

Evaluation of the special role of youth in the agricultural sector ......................................... 38 15.

Necessary skills and features for young people interested in agricultural activities ............ 39 16.

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Assessment of the social-economic situation of the young people and their families ......... 39 Education availability and accessibility for the youth in agricultural fields ........................ 40 Interventions with a positive influence in agriculture .......................................................... 45 Recommendations................................................................................................................................ 57 Sources used ......................................................................................................................................... 59 1 Executive summary Young people who live in villages, or who migrated to towns from rural space, have certain bond with agriculture in social-economic points of view, though this connection is less likely shown by their direct involvement in agricultural activities but is mainly expressed by consumption of agricultural products produced by their families (both in the form of natural product and as income generated by selling the products) A small part of the youth is involved in agricultural activities, whose families are successfully and traditionally pursuing different fields of agriculture and for which income from agriculture is one of the main sources of economic welfare.
In addition, young people who accumulated professional knowledge and have the financial capital for starting a business are also actively involved in agricultural activities.

The research reveals in the youth that involvement in agriculture has no prestige or perspective.
In turn, this is related to their point of view regarding the low development of agricultural sector, which is triggered by different factors, (according to the youth and experts) among which are highlighted: • Instability of the economic landscape of the country that creates instability regarding prices and product demand • Low level of infrastructure development in villages (faulty irrigation system, difficulties with distribution etc.)
Inflexible financial institutes (repression of bank loans, non-liberal tax policy etc.)

• • Non-competitiveness of produced agricultural products • The dominant share of imported products • Low qualification of farmers • Natural risk factors, that farmer cannot handle independently (Bad climate conditions, insect damage etc.)
Respectively, non-adequate rural infrastructure and low possibility of employment, low level of producing in agriculture, inaccessibility to basic social and educational services, low standards of living in general – makes village not attractive not only for the youth but for the economically active population.
Obstacles for the youth involved in agricultural activities are microsocial and cultural, such as: Negative attitudes of primary groups (parents, other family members and relatives)regarding engagement in 2 agricultural activities, stereotypes related to agricultural backwardness, physical labor as a negative value, etc.
Implemented interventions from governmental and non-governmental donor organizations in the field of agriculture (issued vouchers, target programs: “Produce in Georgia”, “Introduce the future” etc.)

are evaluated positively.


However, the young people and experts note that these interventions are faulty in different directions: insufficient level of awareness regarding programs/projects (especially within the youth); Inadequacy of the issued vouchers to get a lasting outcome; High interest rate of issued loans, which makes them difficult to cover; motivation delay/disappearance within the participants of programs/projects to continue the activities.
The research reveals dysfunctional results related to agricultural activities with no prospects in young people, these are: unemployment, migration to town (in hope of finding a stable job), labor migration in foreign countries, alienation from social life (retreatism) vulnerability regarding psycho and social deviations (Depression, dependence on substance, inclination to crime etc.)

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Experts named the activities and events that will facilitate youth involvement in agricultural activities: • Held information meetings regarding agricultural programs, technological innovations, ways of producing and realization, possibility of getting knowledge etc.

• Extending the regional network of vocational education in the agricultural sector; • After getting agrarian education promoting employment through providing “start-ups”, giving preferential loans etc.
• Engagement of youth in practical activities, for instance, involvement in internships and gaining experience in farms • Show successful cases of farming practices for young people • Studying the needs of farmers 3 Research methodology The goal of the research was to study youth involvement in agriculture and agricultural development.
Objectives of the research were: Determining special needs and engagement availabilities of youth in the fields of agriculture and agricultural development (1) Studying and “mapping” of the local organizations/players working on the youth issues (2) Identifying successful initiatives (programs, projects) that had a positive influence on the youth on political, social and household levels (3) Studying and “mapping” donor organizations( inside and outside of the country) that are working on the youth issues (4) Elaborating recommendations to raise motivation of young people in agriculture and agricultural developing sectors (5) To Identify and integrate successful youth cases in the final report (description of one such case per region).
The research was conducted using qualitative research methods.

Two methods were used – Focus groups and in-depth interviews - Focus groups were conducted with youth (18-29 age groups), while in-depth interviews with agriculture experts representing both civil society organizations and public institutions.

Male and female young people, who lived in a village or migrated in town, represented participants of the focus groups.
Participants of the focus groups were divided in two: In five focus groups participated the youth segment who left the village at a certain stage of life and moved to town, while in remaining 6 focus groups participated the young people who lived in villages and the main work field of their families was agriculture.

The quantity of male and female respondents in each group was balanced.

Respondents were not relatives or members of the same community.
Eco-migrants, IDPs and young people belonging to ethnic minorities were included in the target groups.

In the group of eco-migrants and IDPs, they were represented in equal number.

Representatives from at least three villages participated in focus groups conducted in villages.

The minimum age of a migrant who changed his/her permanent residence from village to town was 20 years.
Keeping this criterion was important as the researchers interested in the young people who during their living in villages gained certain experience in the agricultural field.

4 Focus groups with ethnic minorities were conducted in Kvemo- Kartli region, while with eco-migrants and IDPs in Adjara region.

In total, focus groups were conducted in five regions of Georgia, where 2 focus groups were held in each (with village residents and who people migrated to town).
In addition, the third focus group was conducted in Adjara region, in which eco-migrants and internally displaced people participated (see table #1).

Table #1 # Focus group Villages Region 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.
Focus group of eco-migrants and internally displaced young people Focus group of young people who migrated to Batumi from villages of Adjara Focus group of the youth living in Adjara villages Focus group of young people who migrated to Telavi from Kakheti villages Focus group of the youth living in Kakheti villages Focus group of the young people who live in villages of Kvemo Kartli Focus group of the young people migrated to Marneuli town from villages of Kvemo Kartli Focus group of the youth who migrated to Dusheti from Mtskheta- Mtianeti villages Adjara Adjara Adjara Adjaristskali; Feria; Salibauri; Makho; Skvana; Kibe; Chaisubani; Tcharnali; Skvana; Makhvilauri; Akhalsopeli; Nigazeuli; Mukhaestate Tkhilnari; Nigazeuli; Tcharnali; Akhalsopeli Kakheti Kurdghelauri; Vardisubani; Nasamkhrali; Shalauri; Kistauri; Tsinandali; Gulgula; Kakheti Artana; Gulgula; Kistauri; Shalauri Kvemo Kartli Kvemo Kartli Tazakendi; Algeti; Jandari Algeti; Kizilajlo; Tazakendi Mtskheta- Mtianeti Kobiaantkari; Didebaantkari; Bazaleti; Toncha; Aragvispiri; Chanadirtkari; Pasanauri Focus group of the young people who live in Mtskheta-Mtianeti villages Mtskheta- Mtianeti Bazaleti; Khiliani; Toncha; Tianeti; Sapramuli 10.
Focus group of the youth who migrated to town Gori from Shida Kartli villages Shida Kartli Ditsi; Urbnisi; Garejvari; Akhaldaba; Khidistavi; Jariasheni; Ruisi; 11.
Focus group of the young people who live in villages of Shida Kartli Shida Kartli Khidistavi; Ruisi; Skra; Tashiskari; Kvishkheti; Kariasheni 5 The main reason of choosing these regions was different type of agriculture that is popular in each (According to the data provided by National Statistics Office of Georgia, Adjara region is leader in citrus producing, Kakheti - in viticulture and winemaking, agricultural activities in Kvemo Kartli is significantly linked to the domestic cattle, livestock and etc.).
Such diversity of agricultural activities between the regions makes it possible to connect relevant information to the various fields of agriculture for research.

Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with agriculture experts and individuals involved in the field, working both with governmental institutions and non-governmental organizations.

Experts participated in successful agricultural projects and programs, in which local youth communities were involved.
Within the research framework, 5 in-depth interviews were conducted with experts representing following companies: • Tite Aroshidze – “Democracy Institute”, Project manager, Adjara; • Nodar Khokhashvili - Ministry of Agriculture, Head of the secondary structural unit of sectoral development department of agriculture and food department; • Tamar Toria – Executive director of Georgian farmers Association • Irakli Zhorzholiani - Director of Children and Youth Development Fund; Former Sports and Youth Ministry; Inga Lagoshvili - Project Development Manager of Agriculture Projects Management Agency; • 6 Main findings of the research Desk research shows that according to the political framework of international youth, Georgia is a member of several international agreement and memorandum.
Georgia has signed a strategic cooperation document with United Nations, based on UN sustainable development goals.

Association document with the European Union (2014) contains two main articles regarding young people – articles ## 360 and 368.
In this regard, parties agree to support youth policy implementation, experience sharing, youth mobility, informal education, intercultural dialogues, sports or other issues related to the youth in Georgia, Every year a new action plan is worked out together with EU regarding youth policy.

According to the National Statistic Office of Georgia, approximately 42,8% of Georgian population lives in rural areas (2016) and 48.6% are engaged in agricultural activities, hunting, forestry, and fishing.
Nevertheless, it is paradoxical that agriculture contribution to Georgia's gross domestic product is about 9.1% (2015).

The current economic situation cannot ensure population to live in the rural areas.

As a result, the number of rural population is decreasing (24% decreased in 2004-14) and aging.

Georgia is experiencing some major negative demographic trends: population reduction, population aging, and urbanization that negatively affects rural development.
For instance, the share of the young people aged 15-29 to the whole population of Georgia is 19% and has been characterized by decreasing trend for last 10 years.

Majority of the young people (53.1% approximately) live in urban areas, 27.7% of them live in Tbilisi1, the percentage of the youth aged 15-29 and are not engaged in education, employment and training are 32.4% and etc.
For young people who participated in focus groups agricultural activities are associated with most traditional fields such as winemaking, breeding, citrus and etc.

and according to the experts involved in the research, it is less likely with developing fields – berry crops, dried fruit making, hazelnuts and etc.

Agriculture causes more negative associations with the young people who migrated to town, than with the rural youth.
For urban residents, agriculture has no perspective and is associated with hard labor, while for the young people who live in rural areas, besides negative factors, agriculture is connected with income, enhancing activities, the realization of product and producing the organic product.
1 National Statistic Office of Georgia - http://www.geostat.ge/ 7 Positive or negative associations regarding different fields of agriculture with the young people are caused by the fact how their family or farmers they are familiar with manage to realize agricultural products produced by them.
If the respondents know the farmers who are satisfied with income generated from the realization of their products, then the youth has positive association regarding agricultural activities According to the experts, as the fields which have export potential are considered to be prospective in agriculture, it is necessary to use the skills and qualities that young people have more than experienced, age-old farmers.
In particular, the young people are more motivated, more open to innovations (especially innovative technologies) and are better in the means of communication and so on.

The research shows that young people accept the fields of agriculture that provide opportunities to realize a product in different directions.

For example, in the case of viticulture, it is possible to produce grapes, make wine and distill vodka.
Therefore, the realization of the three different products is a source of more income than a single product.

The same applies to beekeeping, where it is possible to produce honey, distill vodka, various herbal medicines and so on.

The youth more or less are cognizant of problems and challenges in the agricultural sector, though they have little idea, by which means or ways it is possible to solve the existing problems.
Because of that, the main addressee of the complaints of the young people participated in the research is the state, which must bear responsibility and offer farmers alternative ways to solve the problems Nevertheless that the young people who migrated to town from rural areas are not directly connected with agrarian activities, they are still dependent on agricultural products and income received by selling the products.
Family members of migrated youth are providing them with agricultural products and help them with money resources gained my realizing products, that used for different needs for example to pay tuition payment; Even the young people who live in rural areas are less involved in agricultural activities.

Following factors have been named as a reason: 1.

No perspective of agricultural fields, 2.

No prestige, 3.

The necessity of hard physical labor and 4.


Having no interests regarding agriculture; In case of the youth who at some point were engaged in agricultural activities, their involvement was caused by the obligation to their families, that means necessary daily work for material existence of families, including physical labor for agricultural activities.
The part of the young people who are actively involved in agricultural activities are the ones, whose families traditionally and successfully follow different fields of agriculture and for whom the income received from agricultural activities is one of the main sources of income.
In addition in agricultural 8 activities involve the young people who acquired certain professional knowledge and have financial capital to start a business; Engagement in agricultural activities of young people who live in the city (including those employed in the city) is: a) to help family members at their leisure-time, at the week- ends, or at holidays; b) to give a helping hand to a family when the help of the young is important for the family, for example, at harvesting, keeping the harvest and so on; c) Financial support from young people, for example, to mobilize the resources necessary to care for agricultural products; d) Moral and emotional support of family members; The young people participated in the research noted that while the needs of farmers are not provided agriculture cannot be interesting and promising for the youth.
Within the research framework, there were named the factors that hinder agricultural development: 1.Cheap prices of imported products, that makes it difficult to sell a product produced by a farmer at a preferential price; 2.

Unstable prices that hamper farmers to plan their activities and have adequate expectations; 3.

External risk factors that farmer cannot handle independently (bad climate conditions, insect damage and etc.

); 4.

Problems connected with product realization.

5.


The problem of the irrigation system; 6.

Lack of financial resources; 7.

Lack of the land plots that owned by a farmer.

8.

Insufficient attention from the state towards the farmers; 9.

The burden of covering bank loans; Following problems revealed by experts: 1.

Lack of education in agriculture in farmers; 2.

Less promotion from the state for infrastructural development of villages; 3.
Low quality of the product produced by a farmer and distribution problems; 4.Lack/absence of cold farms; 5.

Insufficient diversification of farming.

Young people participated in the research confirm that income received from selling agricultural products is one of the sources of income.

The survey revealed that families could not rely on income earned from agriculture, so it is essential that any member or members of the family have alternative sources of income.
Whether the agriculture is a main or secondary source of income is dependent on the productivity, possibilities of product selling, the price of product, etc.

The part of the young people participated in the research (as residents of the village and migrants in the city) has information or personally knows the successful young people who are engaged in agriculture.
The focus groups revealed opinions that successful young individuals in agriculture are those who are helped by their parents, getting fortune by heritage, or have basic knowledge in agriculture.

In addition, experts noted that a successful young farmer is the one who sustains qualification by having communication with other farmers and manages to get quality certificate, exports product, always seeks for innovations and so on.
9 Young people participating in all the focus groups (both in the city and in rural areas) noted that agricultural activities in young people are less, or not prestigious at all.

The main factor that determines not a prestigious state of the agriculture is having no perspective in agricultural fields in terms of achieving financial success.
Other reasons have been noted why agriculture is non-prestigious: Negative attitude of parents or of the head of the family regarding involvement of child in agricultural activities; hard physical labor that is necessary for one engaged in agricultural activities; existing stereotypes among the population regarding agricultural backwardness; however on the other hand respondents noted that the attitude of their parents had changed in recent years and more parents want young people to be interested in rural activities.
The study revealed that feeling of no perspective in agriculture forces young people to look for alternative ways to realize their abilities.

In this regard, the best solution for them is a migration in the city, where the chance of finding a stable job is higher.

Other reasons for migration have been named in the research: Desire of getting a high education, the absence of necessary infrastructure in villages, social connections and etc.
; According to the official statistics (National statistics office of Georgia) in 2016 unemployment rate in the young people was approximately 20-30%.

This is significantly high rate comparing to average unemployment indicator in the state (approximately 11%).

It is noteworthy that only 30% of the workforce in the country lives in rural areas.
On the one hand, young people are moving in urban areas (mostly in the capital) and abroad because of the lack of effective agricultural activities and, on the other hand, the lack of effective alternatives; According to the experts, the young people in case of having interest in different fields of agriculture and desire to engage in the field must be able to get vocational education locally, near their residing place.
That requires relevant education centers, which will help them to develop basic skills and acquirements.

Despite the fact, that willing young people have the possibility to study on the agricultural faculty without cost with the help of the state and there are several vocational institutes in the regions of Georgia, access to education in agriculture is still a significant barrier to the youth.
In recent years following significant activities were carried out by the Georgian government in agriculture sector: Agricultural Support Programs were introduced by Agricultural Management Agency (AMPA) Agricultural Cooperatives Development Agency was created (2013) Agricultural Development Strategy of Georgia was implemented 2015-2020 (2015), and Law on Mountainous Regions (2015), in 2017 Rural Development Strategy 2017-2020 was developed.
Donor organizations have implemented many projects in terms of agriculture and rural development.

Among donor organizations are World Vision, People In Need, Red Cross, Peace Corps Georgia, Europe Foundations and others.

10 Within the research framework, the activities and events that will facilitate youth involvement in agricultural activities have been revealed.
These are: a) Held innovative meetings in villages regarding agricultural programs, technological innovation, growing products and realization ways, possibilities to get education and so on; b) After getting agrarian education promotion to get employed, providing so-called “start-ups”, giving preferential loans and etc.

c) Engagement youth in practical activities, for instance involve in internship and gaining experience in farms.
d) Show successful cases of farming practices for young people; e) Studying the needs of farmers and so on.

In case of positive changes in the agricultural sector, the young people will have the willingness to engage in agricultural activities.

Participants of focus groups, a small part of migrated youth exclude returning to the village, even if the favorable conditions will be created in the village.
As for the part of the young people who shows interest in agriculture in case of positive changes, think that it is possible to engage in agricultural activities without leaving the city.
The general economic condition of families living in rural areas was evaluated as lower than average by the young people, which means that population of the village can satisfy their basic needs, for example, pay the bills, buy necessary provision; Though they cannot afford more expensive things, for instance, household items, tech and etc.
However, according to the evaluation of respondents, increases the number of villages where tourist infrastructure is developing and therefore economic and social conditions are improving (for example village “Goderdzi” in Adjara).
It is noteworthy that evaluations and attitudes of the young people regarding current situation in agriculture differ in terms of their experience and content: The part of the young individuals who benefited from issued grants regarding agriculture, or participated in various events held in the field and respectively received certain benefits evaluates the current condition more or less positively.
Although those who are not engaged in the field, or are involved in it but have no benefits, expressed neutral or negative assessments.

Part of the respondents say that state issued vouchers as well as existing programs ( “produce in Georgia” “introduce the future” and so on) are very good, however, it is an insufficient resource to intensify activities in the field.
Young people believe that one of the most relevant issues is the lack of information and think that the level of awareness of youth in respect of different sectors of agriculture should be raised through schools and universities, and informal education.
Young people and experts who participated in the research confirm that the young people must play significant role in agricultural sector which is caused by having necessary skills of obtaining information, ambition that is characteristic for the youth, skills of acquiring innovation and adopting them easily, having initiative, easy-to-use skills in agriculture technologies and so on.
11 1.Evaluation of youth policy of the state of Georgia The youth policy announced in Georgia has a 20-year history with different levels of emphasis.

Processes began in 1994, when the first formal governmental body was established, which was responsible for the development and coordination of the youth policy.
Several significant stages were: Order of the President of Georgia # 92 "On the State Concept of Support of Georgian Young People" (12th of March, 2001); Establishment of the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs (2010); First state document on the youth ( Youth policy development program); First youth policy action plan 2001 - 2005 (2001); Creation of coordination council of youth policy of Georgia (2013); Review the youth policy document by the board and approval of its updated version (2014); Making the acting plan of state youth policy of 2015-2020 years (2015) and of course abolition the ministry of sport and youth affairs (2017).
There are up to 10 legal acts related to youth in Georgia and diverse aspects of their regulations.

Among them are: • Constitution of Georgia, • Law on state support for children and youth organizations • • The law on the protection of juveniles from harmful substances Juvenile justice code These are main legislative frameworks, in which youth-related issues in are regulated in Georgia.

Besides, the law on state support for youth employment is examined.
It is noteworthy that due to ongoing changes in Georgian government structure (merger of the ministry of sport and youth affairs and the ministry of education and science) current laws and normative acts are subject to permanent revision.

Youth policy document and action plan is the only main document, whose target group is youth and envisages every significant aspect related to youth.
The aim of youth policy document is to create relevant environment comprehensive development that will enable youth to realize their potential thoroughly and actively engage in different fields of public activities.

According to the youth policy, document men of 14-29 age group are considered young.

The document also encompasses a long list of explanations related to the young people with special needs.
The document also unifies significant concepts such as Youth work, volunteering, youth organizations, formal education, mobility and so on.

Youth policy document highlights the engagement necessity of all interested parties and actors in the process of decision-making and implementation of youth policy.

Action plan divides into acts and defines all major directions of youth policy.

These are Participation, education, health, protection.
The document specifies relevant programs and objectives under every direction.

Identifies responsible parties, deadlines and budget resources for each objective and program.

In addition, the action plan provides for the upgrade rules and monitoring of the action plan.

12 Due to the last structural changes in Georgian government, perspectives of youth document policy and action plan are vague.

The main coordination public body of youth issues was the Ministry of Youth and Sports until 2017.
Since 2017 the Ministry of Education and Science has taken this function.
In youth policy field other significant bodies are: • The parliamentary committee on sport and youth affairs of Georgia • Local municipalities ( and their youth departments) • Ministry of Justice of Georgia (In particular, its Juvenile oriented programs) • Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia ( through its programs, beneficiaries of which are mostly young) • Ministry of Labor, Health and Social security of Georgia • Ministry of Penitentiary, Probation and Legal Assistance; According to the international policy frame, Georgia is a member of several international agreement and memorandum.
Georgia has signed a strategic cooperation document with United Nations, based on UN sustainable development goals.

Association document with the European Union (2014) contains two main articles regarding young people – articles ## 360 and 368.
In this regard, parties agree to support youth policy implementation, experience sharing, youth mobility, informal education, intercultural dialogues, sports or other issues related to the youth in Georgia, Every year a new action plan is worked out together with EU regarding youth policy.

Georgia has signed a number of memorandums with Visegrad and Western Partnership countries, according to them partners’ process action plans every year related to young people.

2.
The importance of agriculture for young people; Associations and attitudes Young people who participated in focus groups, living both in rural and urban areas, while mentioning agriculture they recall the fields that are historically traditional for their regions: Citrus – in Adjara, 13 viticulture, and winemaking – in Kakheti, Vegetable crops in Kvemo Kartli resided with minor ethnicities, livestock – in Mtskheta-Mtianeti, and fruit – in Shida Kartli Regarding relatively new directions of agriculture that the experts named, the focus group participants did not pay attention to them except hazel-growing and beekeeping.
Participants, for example, did not mention blue currant, dried fruit, laurel, thornless blackberries and other crops, according to the experts in the research, export index of these crops is growing every year and is thought to be as developing fields in agriculture.

- „Promising are the fields that have export potential, such products are honey, berries, fruit, hazelnuts, so-called niche products, that we call organic, laurel, blue currant and so on”(representative of Farmers Association).
Agriculture triggers negative emotions mostly in the migrated youth.

For them, agriculture is associated with non-prospective work, hard work, and labor consuming.

- “First of all, I recall tireless work that you don’t know what outcome will be.

“(Young people living in Gori) -" Too much work is needed ... the work that you put in agriculture can be more valuable in other fields" (Young people living in Marneuli)."
For the part of the migrant youth, agriculture is associated with passing time pleasantly and relief - ” As for me agriculture is associated with the Autumn period when we pick fruits, it is always fun at that time (young people living in Gori).” Agriculture provokes negative associations on the part of young people living in rural areas.

- ” For me, agriculture is associated with labor and suffering” (Young individual living in Gori).
In addition to heavy physical labor, agricultural activities are associated with large expenditures for young people living in the village: - ” I recall the expenditures, that costs for a peasant to take care, it is too much and an outcome of very hard work” (young people living in villages, Adjara).
However, for the other part of young people living in the villages, agriculture is associated with positive results such as: • Income from agricultural activities; • Realization of agricultural products; • Expansion of agricultural activities; • Growing organic products 14 - “I live in a village, the main source of income for my family is a village, and we depend on it.

One must be a tough peasant to survive” (Gori, a young from the village) - "I remember the place where I work.
Agriculture is my activity.

"(Village Young, Marneuli) Positive or negative associations with agriculture in young people are determined by how agricultural products are realized and how competitive these products are.

Consequently, in the focus groups with rural youth, positive associations have been identified for the fields of agriculture: • That is easy to realize including has fewer problems regarding export.
For example winemaking; • The product competes with imported goods, such as citrus, fruits etc.

3.

The most developing and promising fields in the agricultural sector The focus groups conducted with experts revealed that development of agricultural fields is dependent on the possibilities of product realization and on export potential of the field.

- “If we assess agriculture as a profitable and business-oriented activity, then the field must have export potential” (Farmers Association).
Experts participating in the research emphasis on the fields that are relatively new in Georgia and in their opinion the young people may play a special role in that since young people see agriculture as a business: - “The younger is more easily managed, more motivated, is more initiative and joins the sectors that have the potential of export and are uniquely profitable" (Farmers Association).
The young people who are engaged in agricultural activities try to restructure existing fields and change old with new, where technologies prevail, where there are more possibilities for the realization of the product, and therefore the chance of profiting is bigger.

- “No wonder that winemaking is an old, traditional field in Georgia, but it is new for Adjara and production technologies have been sophisticated recently, people have seen a profit.
For example Chkhaveri, that grows in Keda and is very rare breed” (representative from Institute of Democracy, Batumi).

According to the interviewed experts, winemaking is a leader among the fields of agriculture in Georgia, accordingly, Association of Winemakers is the most successful and old association, comparing to the other associations in the field.
- “This is the kind of field, we are covering the least since the need to engage the field is very little in terms of additional subsidies.”(Farmer's Association).

15 In-depth interviews one more sector has been identified – Sheep farming, which is one of the leading fields in a trade with the Middle East.

- "In recent years there is a high demand for sheep, which is exported to Arab countries; Employees in this field are very satisfied with the prices this year "(Ministry of Agriculture).
According to experts, Georgia has the possibility to produce organic products, though, until the economic situation in the country will not be improved and the population will not be able to pay for the organic food, the calculation should be made to export the goods abroad.

- "Today, the country is not ready to pay a high price for bioproduction, but if it produces this product to export, it will be very profitable" (Ministry of Agriculture).
The experts involved in the survey named the following potential sectors of agriculture: • Winemaking • Beekeeping • Fruit producing ( especially berry crops, thornless blackberry, bilberry, raspberry, berry and so on) • Agrotourism • Hazelnut producing • Sheep farming • Producing of Georgian spices • Dried fruit producing Unlike experts majority of the young people participating in the survey, on the question, which agricultural fields have the perspective in the region they are living in, recall traditional fields of agriculture ( agriculture, breeding and so on) and unsettled problems in the fields and in their opinion agriculture will not have perspective of development without settling the problems.
These opinions dominated among both target groups of youth living in villages and migrated young people.

Focus groups with young people living in the village have shown the tendency of young people to see agriculture development by following the development of tourism, and think that the agricultural activities will be more profitable if the agrotourism will develop.
- “We know that agriculture is seasonal so that fisheries will be better, because tourism is developing and restaurants networks are growing, particularly in our side, at every step of the foot there are restaurants and if you produce products, in such case they will consume a large quantity.

Muslims are mainly in our area and fish are more acceptable for them, such a case is more profitable than livestock” (a resident of Dusheti municipality).
Young people consider the beekeeping as a promising field, believe that beekeeping is, in their opinion, connected with less physical work and less dependent on climatic conditions.

16 - “Mainly fruit producing is developed with us so you are dependent on external factors, which are less problematic in case of beekeeping” (Gori city resident) Young people named viticulture as another promising field.

In their opinion, viticulture has the advantage of realizing it in various ways.
- "Viticulture has a lot of pluses – you can sell grapes, even make wine, you can use wine sediment distill chacha and sell" (Gori municipality village youth).

The following potential sectors of agriculture were named in focus groups of rural youth: • Fishery • So-called niche production (for example dambalkhacho(smoked cotton cheese), blackberry leaves, rhododendron caucasicum, sweetbrier a so on) • Beekeeping; • Annual crops (vegetables, herbs, etc.
); • Fruit producing; • Viticulture; The views of young people living both in villages and cities regarding the perspective of a particular field are based on their personal observation and experience and are not based on qualified knowledge or analysis.

They are aware of the challenges agriculture fields are faced by but have little idea of ways to find a way out.
Therefore, the main addressee of their complaints is the state that according to the respondents should take responsibility and solve the problems that farmers encounter.

- "We need more attention from the state" (resident of Gori municipality).

4.

Evaluation of youth involvement in agricultural activities Young people living in rural areas as it was expected are more engaged in agricultural activities than youth in the city.
However, the migrated youth or the young people who are employed in the city are closely linked to agricultural activities, because: 17 • The product received from agriculture largely provides the daily needs of young people and their families mainly as food; • The product received from agriculture for young people and their families is still a significant source of income if not the major, with this they pay tuition, for example; Both target groups evaluate that young people living in rural areas are more or less or not involved in agricultural activities; This assessment prevailed in all focus groups; Only the small part of the participants said that young people are actively engaged in agricultural activities; The following factors were identified in focus groups with young people, as the reason for less or no involvement in the agricultural activities: - No perspective of agricultural fields 2 - The location of villages.
The rural population near the city is less interested in agriculture, as the city is considered as the main employment place: "Those who live near the city get employed in the city.

Harvest and plots are paid less attention "(young people living in Telavi).

- No prestige.

Agricultural activities are regarded as non-prestigious in both youth and elder people.

- “While studying at school, I wanted to study agronomy at the university and return to the village after that.
However, my parents did not like my decision because they believe that employment in agriculture is not prestigious "(rural youth, Marneuli municipality).

The survey shows that youth involvement in agricultural activities is significantly determined by parent’s attitude about their child involved in agricultural activities.

- “My mother works from the morning until evening and I pity her because her work is not appreciated.
Therefore, neither I nor she wants to do this work "(Marneuli municipality, village youth).

- The unacceptability of physical labor.

According to the part of young people physical labor is a significant hindering factor when it comes about youth involvement in agricultural activities.

- „They are reluctant to work physically.

One must wake up early at 5 or 6 o’clock, a young person will not wake up so early, and will not go to work on the land” (young people living in Telavi).
- Lack of interest towards agriculture; Part of the youth involved in the survey think that no matter what promising and developing agriculture fields are, young people, may have no interest in agriculture: 2See the chapter : Identifying problems and challenges in agricultural sector 18 - “Maybe a young person wants to choose another way, not to get involved in agriculture, has another talent and wants to show it, because one was born in the village that doesn’t mean that his/her goal must be involvement in agricultural activities" (young people living in Gori).
The young people who more or less are engaged in agricultural activities, their involvement is determined by: • Everyday work is a must for the family daily food and youth’s contribution in this is significant - „ Agriculture gives us daily food that family needs and young person cannot stand by" (a group of eco-migrants / IDPs living in rural areas, Batumi) • Obligation of the young people to help their parents/ family members in agricultural activities- “May the young person doesn’t want to but is obliged to do so, one can’t say no to parents, whatever it may be” – (village youth, Dusheti) Active engagement of the small part of the young people participated in the survey is determined by following factors - - These are the youth whose families are traditionally following different fields of agriculture and income earned from the activities is the main source of income – - “Families that are traditionally strong in agriculture, the young people from these families are interested in rural activities because they have income (rural youth, Telavi municipality) - In agricultural activities are involved the young people who accumulated certain knowledge and have the financial capital to start activities - - “There are guys around me that have the knowledge and plans related to cultivating vineyard.
They also have interest in having their own farm” (village youth, Telavi municipality).

The trend has been revealed in survey framework, that Kakheti and Kvemo Kartli are the regions where young people are more engaged and interested in agriculture.
Above-mentioned is determined by the development of agricultural fields, in particular: • Land plots in both regions are in large areas and climatic conditions facilitate to yield a harvest; • Export of products in foreign countries is more or less organized, such as wine exports; • Both regions are close to the capital- Tbilisi, which simplifies product transportation, realization and timely supply of the city with the necessary products; According to the experts participating in the research, the interest in agricultural activities are high in the regions where vocational institution are functioning and agrarian specialties are taught.
19 - “With my observation, in the municipality or in regions where there is a vocational college (technical institute or college), with the agrarian sector, the young people are more interested and engaged in the activities."

(Agriculture Project Management Agency).

Engagement of Young people who live in the city or, are employed there is expressed in following activities: • Helping family members at the free time - on weekends or holidays: "I have a touch, I try to help, on weekends.
I myself work till late evening "(young people living in Telavi); • Helping a family in important periods such as harvesting, keeping a harvest and so on.
: "When it's hard and big work to do, then I help my parents and grandparents; Mostly I help them in planting potatoes in the village "(eco-migrants / IDPs, Batumi) • Mobilization of the resources that are necessary to care for agricultural products; For example, financial aid for purchasing poisonous chemicals: "They need my financial support more than my being at the place, so I buy everything that is necessary for the village" (residents of the city, Batumi) • Moral and emotional support of the family members from the youth – “When my mother goes into the plot and her child is next to him, encourages her this is very important.
Even if you do less work supporting is significant” (young people living in Telavi).

5.

Identifying problems and challenges in the agricultural sector Youth engaged in the survey noted that until the needs that farmers have, will not be provided, agriculture will not be interesting for the youth.

This opinion dominated in all 11 focus groups that were conducted in 5 regions of Georgia.
Within the survey framework, following factors were named, which in respondents’ opinion hinders the development of the agricultural sector.

- The cheapness of imported products; According to the focus groups participants low prices on imported products makes it difficult to realize the products that farmer produces in an adequate and favorable price.

- „Agriculture in Kvemo Kartli is more developed than in other regions.
Though in my opinion, this will not continue like this in nearest future, as the production of a local peasant cannot compete with imported product, it hinders the realization of our product.
Our work is not compensated with received income and people lose interest because of this” (a young person living in Marneuli municipality) - - Changing prices on agricultural products; Unstable prices on every season hamper farmers to plan their activity and have adequate expectations: 20 - “For example, this year the price of a beetroot is 1 GEL and a peasant decides to plant it, it is possible that price of a beetroot in next year will become 15 Tetris, Why does this happen?
(Resident of Gori municipality) - External risk factors that a farmer cannot handle independently; Among these factors are bad climate weather, insect damage and so on.

Young people think that agro-insurance program that is financed by the state does not fully recover farmer’s damage.

- „We insured the harvest, paid a certain amount of money for this, though very little money was compensated.
I think it would be good to be such a medicine that will minimalize external damage after using it, However, this is also connected with expenditures as well” (Resident of Gori city) - “I did not insure the harvest because I could not afford it, I trusted the nature.
A friend of my family insured harvest and when he came there to get compensation for the loss he was told – that they only compensate damage from hail and not from drought” (Gori city resident) - „They did not pay more than 50 Tetris in citrus this year because brown marmorated stink bug spoiled it, they don’t take it, don’t like it”( resident of the village, Adjara region) - Problems connected with product realization; Young people think that one of the major problems is the impossibility of realization of the received product, for example, the absence of delivery spots.
- “ There must be enterprises in the village so that peasant will be able to deliver seasonal harvest there and the enterprise process product locally; When there will be a guarantee that someone will take the product, there will be much more motivation for a peasant and young people to work” (village resident, Adjara region) - The problem of the irrigation system; Participants consider that the absence of irrigation system hinders agriculture development in some villages - “We get drinking water from spring, it is needless to say anything about irrigation and attempt to do something there is nonsense because if you don’t irrigate your harvest you cannot make business and cannot think of income (Resident of Dusheti municipality) - Lack of financial resources; Finances are crucial for developing any field of agriculture: 21 - “If there are conditions, place, building, even elementary one, to lodge animals there in winter, then there will be perspective, all this requires money” (a young resident Dusheti) - “I would not engage in agricultural activities because I see how much money my parents spend and cannot see any profits if you want to see the benefit you need more money” (Dusheti resident) - Lack of agricultural land plots owned by a farmer that hinders to yield a large number of products.
- “If you are going to see any benefit from land farming you must have a big area to produce bigger harvest and sell it at favorable price” (Dusheti resident) - Lack of attention from the state; Part of the young people participated in the survey thinks that the state doesn’t pay sufficient attention to farmers: “ Despite the fact that there is aid from the state this is very small and is limited only with vouchers” (Gori city resident) - A load of covering bank loan; As the farmers do not have sufficient resources to start agricultural activities they use loans offered by banks.
However, a farmer spends most of the income received from agriculture to repay the credit: "Income is completely going to the bank and nothing remains" (Gori municipality village young).

Experts in the survey name lack of education as the biggest problem of agriculture.

According to them when it comes to the development of agricultural fields, it is indispensable for a farmer to have an adequate knowledge.
- “We must seek the main problem in education when we say that we must develop agriculture, provide it with technologies and so on.

That requires relevant qualification and knowledge that farmer doesn’t have” (Democracy Institute representative) According to one of the experts, agriculture had stagnated before 2012 including the development of agrarian professions since agriculture was not considered as a priority field of the state.

However, everything has changed to positive since 2012.
- "Since 2012, more attention has been paid to education, including the financing of vocational education from the state and donors, as it has been recognized that the biggest problem in agriculture is related to education problems" (Farmers Association Representative).

The impossibility of adequate education, conditions lack skilled specialists on the ground, the deficit of the profession, such as qualified veterinary, agronomist, meliorator and so on.
Besides, farmers have little idea of what fertilizer to use when to sow and when to plow, what to do when there are bad climate conditions to make prevention and so on.
Vocational education institutions should not only function in big cities but also in villages to be more accessible to interested young people: 22 - “It is funny that there is a vocational institution in Batumi, which aims to teach practical knowledge, though Batumi doesn’t have own farm, greenhouses, because of this such institution must be in Shuakhei, Khulo and elsewhere.
Patriarchate University has a vocational institution in Khichauri, when I heard about it I was happy but it turned out that they are teaching accountancy and professions which will not be so useful for village resident” (Representative of Democracy Institution) Research has shown that it is important for farmers to have access to new technologies, there is lack of this in agricultural fields: - “Introducing new technologies is highly important I will give you a primitive example, hitherto farmers did not know what dripping system was, how to produce cucumber on a trellis, they know it now, demonstration trellises were made they saw, believed and they are implementing it gradually” (representative of the Agriculture Ministry) Besides lack of education experts participating in the survey named other problems that exist in agriculture among them are: - Lack of financial resources of farmers; As the participant experts noted agriculture has been financed by the government since 2012 with a solid amount of money through funding so-called “start-ups” is less since it is considered that agriculture is risky field as the inexperienced and unqualified farmer makes it even riskier; - Relationship complexity between farmers and commercial banks; For farmers, relations with banks are problematic because they have little of getting loans.
According to experts, this is due to the fact that the land does not have a proper cost for a bank to lend a loan to farmers.

The problem is related to banks, namely those creditors who issue agricultural-type loans: - “They did not have experience and could not evaluate applicants adequately, their assessment was very superficial and overly subjective because the staff did not have an elementary knowledge of agriculture.
However, the situation has relatively improved in recent years” (the representative of the Farmers Association).

- Less support for rural life development When we talk about youth involvement in agriculture it is advisable to emphasize on the development of rural life.

In order to reduce migration flow from village to the city it is indispensable to make favorable conditions for the local residents especially for the youth.
- “The youth must have the possibility to get an education, have elementary social conditions including roads, internet, squares, cultural objects, libraries and so on.” (representative of “Farmers Association”) 23 - Low quality of products produced by the farmer and problems related to distributions.

Experts noted that it is very difficult for a farmer to keep product quality and distribution.
According to experts major local or international business organizations in the service field are interested in supplying their provision needs from local farmers, though farmers cannot provide continuous chain of production: ”Georgian farmer can deliver product seasonably when for example a hotel has 24 hour-working regime and requires products every day”(representative of “Farmers Association”).
In addition, experts noted that farmers living in rural areas neither know nor have means to sell their product elsewhere, besides local agrarian market, which is already abundantly saturated with local products.

- “They don’t have a connection with supermarkets or restaurants they don’t have the ability to do marketing, branding and so on.
The market has developed demands have raised, supermarkets are already supplied with high-quality products” (“Farmers Association representative) Due to the fact, that demand for the quality product has raised, big business-organizations do not buy non-certified and untested products.

Buyer must be sure that the product he bought is harmless.

Certification is also necessary when farmer plans to expand business and export the products.
- Lack/absence of cool farming; Lack/absence of cool farming significantly hinders the realization of perishable product.

- Lack of cool farming is a big problem.

When a farmer abundantly produces peach for a month, of course, Georgian market cannot take this amount of products.

In this case, we cannot say that product, was replaced with imported goods and that is the reason for farmer’s loss.
It’s just harvest was too big and that is why cool farming is vital for a farmer to sell product on non-season” (Farmers Association representative) - Lack of farming diversification; Farming diversification will give a possibility to a farmer by using new technologies in place of traditional crops, grow products that are demanded at the local market.
- “Very often they produce one and the same products constantly, traditionally, we know that one region produces only potatoes when with new technologies they can actually produce new products, for example, the product that a requires a hotel, a cabbage, a variety of lettuce leaves and etc.
"(Farmers Association Representative) According to experts because of abundance, producing the same product hinders realization, because of that so-called niche products will facilitate farming development; 24 - Lack of agricultural land plots owned by farmers; According to experts though the agriculture cooperative development agency works actively and helps farmers in cooperation, a significant part of the land plots are still dismembered, that makes it difficult to introduce technologies and using mechanization level on little areas.
- ” 70% of farmers who own our land plots are those who own land from 0 to 5 hectares.

This means that lands are fragmented and they do not have the means to convince the banks to give credits "(representative of the Ministry of Agriculture).

6.

Income from agricultural activities as a major source of income for families The main source of income for rural residents still remains uncompetitive.
Main challenges that agricultural sector encounters are: Limited scopes of agricultural activities, the absence of food security standards and hence limited/little export.

Therefore, Georgia is dependent on import nearly in every food/product category, especially in non-seasonal periods.

It is manifest that Georgia is far from the moment when agriculture becomes sufficient source of income for its population.
On the question – Whether the income received from the realization of agricultural products is the main source of income for the families of the youth participating in the study, both in rural and migrated focus groups dominated answer – “partly”.

Whether the agriculture is main or supporting source of income is dependent on following factors: • Product field (If there are good climatic conditions or not if chemicals are of good quality and etc.)
• Product realization possibilities (If farmers manage to find markets to sell products if there is a demand on the market and etc.)

• Product price (What is the price of the product, how far the farmers are able to receive the returns if there are subsidies from the state etc.)
Although the income received from the sale of agricultural products to the families of young people participating in the survey is partly or almost not the main source of income, but the rural production is an important source of livelihood for many families: - “For example, my family sells nothing, but what we consume everything we produce in the family, vegetables, dairy products.
We do not buy anything in the market.”(Eco-migrant from Adjara region) However, it is noteworthy that in the production of the products providing for the family, the older members of the family are engaged in the activities, for whom agricultural activities are major activities.
According to young people family cannot rely on the income received from agriculture, therefore, it is essential that any member or members of the family have alternative sources of income: 25 - “When you don’t know what will be in the next year in that case you can’t rely on agriculture, it is essential to have a job” (a young resident from Marneuli municipality).
Besides, income received from agriculture, as a rule, is seasonal: “We get income from agriculture when we deliver grapes, we don’t have income from rural activities another time (Telavi city resident) 7.
Examples of successful young farmers and their role in promoting agriculture The part of the young people both rural residents and migrated say that they heard or personally know successful young people who are engaged in agriculture: “ I know a guy of my age who had 30 bee families and now he has 60 families, he doubled his business in 3 years” (A young migrated to Batumi) On the question how the young farmers achieve success in their activities, several reasons were in the youth focus groups: • Support from parents - ” Who has wealthy family in agriculture they are helped by their parents and are willing to work”(rural youth, Telavi) • Inherited property - "My classmates, who have inherited a small wine factory from their parents, continue their business" (village youth, Telavi) • Education in agriculture - "One of the young people in my village attended the course of beekeeping, studied, then bought the bee-hives and today is successful" (rural youth, Gori) Young people participating in focus groups noted that no matter what resources a young person has if he/she doesn’t have an interest in agriculture he/she cannot become a successful farmer.
Part of the respondents think that successful examples are of great importance for promoting agriculture, moreover when a successful example is evident.
- „You may not believe in successful farmers on the television because you don’t know what they are doing in reality but when your neighbor earns something you realize that you can do the same, though there are few people that can have an influence on the population” (Dusheti resident) In focus groups also participated successful young farmers who are actively engaged in agricultural activities.

We present stories of success of five youngsters 1.
Gilvara 25 years old, Kvemo Kartli 25-year-old Gilvara and her family are actively involved in the traditional agricultural field - agriculture.

The family brings persimmon, beans, potatoes, hazelnuts, walnuts and other perennial or one-year crops: 26 “On the same land plot, we bring potatoes, after yielding harvest we sow beans, tomatoes, cucumber.

Sometimes we sow cucumber 3 times and we have it until the end of November”.
All members of the family of Gilvara are engaged in agricultural activities- Parents, two brothers, sister and herself.

Members of the family allotted their work and according to the respondent it simplifies the work - “We all know what to do my brothers and father deliver product to sell, work on the ground, my sister and I do house things”.

Gilvara’s family sells products either on spot in Marneuli or delivers to Tbilisi.
The family expanded their business in 2014 when they bought an additional land plot with savings, which increased the volume of family activities and income.

Gilvara and her family members have a desire to make their own greenhouse in the future: - “If we have a greenhouse it will increase our income, we sell cucumber for 1 GEL in summer the price will be 4 GEL in winter”.

Though, they cannot save sufficient money to materialize the idea yet.
As the respondent says, they don’t have realization problem since the family has stable clients; The only hindering factor is unstable prices on the market: “Sometimes we sold it at price than we had planned, because of the imported product”.

With earnings from agriculture, Gilvara received higher legal education in Tbilisi.

Gilvara also draws attention to the negative aspects of the village work.

- “If you are engaged in agriculture in that case you don’t know what happens in the city.
You have no information about ongoing events, agriculture takes a lot of time, you have no time for anything else” 2.

Tamuna, 26 years old, Shida Kartli Tamuna, a resident of Khashuri municipality, has been engaged in agriculture after her previous activity - the import of used cars from Germany became an unprofitable business; The reason for this was that the import of used cars in Azerbaijan was banned and automobile realization mainly happened from there.
Tamuna and her husband saw a solution in agriculture; They had a land plot in Kvishkheti, with their saving they leased additional land plots, where together vineyard they started to bring potatoes and onions.

For bringing new crops they were in need of extra funds and they had to take a credit from a bank.

- "Since we had a small amount of money savings, we had to take a loan.

In advance, we calculated how much money was needed for the workforce, for their feeding, for medicines, etc."
According to Tamuna’s evaluation agriculture has succeeded though she did not receive the income she had in the car selling the business.

However, Tamuna and her husband are going to continue and expand their business.

They plan to get a relevant education in the direction that will be helpful in their future activities.

At the stage, agriculture is the main source of income for Tamuna’s family.

27 3.
27 3.

Giorgi, 20 years old, Kakheti 20-year-old Giorgi works as a zoo-technician in a farm of one of the municipalities of Kakheti, where he is occupied with artificial insemination.

His monthly wage is 800 GEL.

Besides, he gets extra 10 Laris as a bonus for one impregnated animal.

He has been interested in animals since early childhood that was a significant factor to engage in this activity.
He has expanded territorial areal recently and gets orders from other municipalities as well, where he is paid 20 Laris for each impregnated cow.

Giorgi’s monthly salary has raised because of this possibility and now it is more than 2000 GEL in a month.

He plans to raise his qualification, in particular, with the help of one of the donor organizations he is going abroad in nearest future.

4.Merabi, 21 years old, Ajara 21-year-old Merabi is leading citrus farming together with his parents and sister.
He was most satisfied with harvest in 2015, Merabi’s family delivered 9 tones of tangerine then, and he got 55 Tetris for 1 kilogram of so-called super-sized tangerine and 30 Tetris for standardly sized tangerine.

He covered bank loan with the income with remnant he did repairs in-house and bought household appliances.

Merabi is not satisfied with harvest this year, as insects (Brown marmorated stink bug - BMSB) spoiled the fruit.
- “BMSB has highly damaged us this year, our governor has just been here, said there will be pesticide spraying but nothing is happening, we are still waiting for to be provided with means against the insect”.

Though the agricultural activities for Merabi are major, yet the received income is not enough for all year long.

Despite the existing problems he sees the activities optimistically and plans to materialize mutual idea with his friend.
- “I have a friend, my classmate, who graduated from university but is unemployed.

We think to start a business but we have not decided yet what we are going to bring tangerine or hazelnut”.

The ultimate goal for Merabi and his friend is to export the product abroad in EU and Russia, in the countries where citrus are sold the best.

Merabi did not get education in agriculture, what he knows he learned from grandparents and parents.

If he has a possibility he wishes to deepen his knowledge.

5.
5.

Giorgi, 29 years old, Mtskheta-Mtianeti Giorgi is a member of the cooperative in Mtskheta-Mtianeti, who leads the fruit processing dryer; Knowledge of enterprise management he received owing to donor organizations.

- „ENPARD group was working in Mtskheta-Mtianeti together with rural development agency, they conducted training for a long time in management, enterprise management and ultimately they financed the project with co-finance.
74% paid donor and we covered 26%.” 28 In cooperative where Giorgi is joined dried fruit and tklapi are processed.

They started this activity in 2016 and 13 members are in cooperative: Young people, aged 18-30 are three, there are 13 members in cooperative in all” Cooperative from population gets sweetbrier, crabapple, sea-buckthorn and other fruits.

They do not have realization problems since the municipality has granted green status, which means that they produce ecologically clean products.
According to Giorgi, there is no tradition of pesticide spraying in Mtskheta-Mtianeti that is why it was not difficult to get green status.

However, as for granting ISO certificate, there are additional criteria to fulfill, which is a future plan of the cooperative.

Giorgi and his partners want to export product and they plan to create the same type of association of the second level, in order to increase the volume of production.
- „Our productivity is about 200-250 kilos per day, exporter will not be interested in this volume, he will not arrive for 2-3 tones and will not take products; That is why we need cooperative cooperation to gather the product in the same place, have a certificate saying that product is ecologically clean and is not poisoned with pesticide.

These are the necessary conditions required for exporter”.
According to Giorgi export is the only solution that can ease the life of rural residents and arouse interest in the youth.

The hindering problem for Giorgi and his partners is the severe climate in winter, as the enterprise doesn’t have to heat and it is very hard to work in cold.

Another hindering factor is absence of shock cooling, because of that they cannot preserve product for a long time.
- „We have a fridge but not, shock cooling, if we had cold farming we would be able to preserve the product and when there is deficit in winter we would deliver it on the market” .
Giorgi likes the job he is occupied with, he thinks of himself as a realized person and deems that his business will be successful:” I like what I do and I think I will reach my goal that we, me and my partners have planned” In in-depth interviews with experts, it was noted that successful is a farmer who has the knowledge and can give this knowledge to another farmer because: “If a farmer wants to be successful the social circle around him must be successful as well” (Representative of “Farmers Association”).
Besides, experts think that farmer is successful when he manages to get international certificate and export products, changes contacts, always looks for innovations, the farmer that can take the risk, evaluates risks and pays for risk insurance.

8.

The prestige of agricultural activities in youth According to the National Statistic Office of Georgia, approximately 42,8% of Georgian population lives in rural areas (2016) and 48.6% are engaged in agricultural activities, hunting, forestry, and fishing.
Nevertheless, it is paradoxical that agriculture contribution to Georgia's gross domestic product is about 29 9.1% (2015)3.

The current economic situation cannot ensure population to live in the rural areas.

As a result, the number of rural population is decreasing (24% decreased in 2004-14) and aging.
Inadequate infrastructure and low possibility of employment, low production level in agriculture, inaccessibility to basic social and educational services, low standards of living in general – makes village unattractive not only for the youth but for economically active people.

Young people participating in all the focus groups (both in the city and in rural areas) noted that agricultural activities in young people are less, or not prestigious at all.
The main factor that determines not a prestigious state of the agriculture is having no perspective in agricultural fields, in particular, realization problem of agricultural products, bad climate conditions, changing prices and so on4.
Besides, having no perspective other reasons have been noted among youth why agriculture is non-prestigious: • Negative attitude of parents or of the head of the family regarding the involvement of a child in agricultural activities; • Hard physical labor that is necessary for one engaged in agricultural activities; • Existing stereotypes and attitudes among the population regarding agriculture; Part of the youth doesn’t want to engage in physical labor and attempts to find a job where the physical labor will be less.
- „They prefer to have paperwork than work with hoe and spade (Migrated young in Dusheti)’’; Parents try to avoid their children physical work.

- My mother wants me to work and not to work at the same time because when I work physically it is hard but we have no other income” (rural resident in Telavi municipality) There is a stereotype in the young people that agriculture is “dirty” work.
- "It is not prestigious, roughly-speaking it’s dirty work and that is why everyone abstains from it” (Dusheti resident) Also, it is widely believed the opinion that a farmer engaged in agriculture doesn’t need education, therefore one who is involved in farming – is uneducated.
- “If a young person couldn’t get an education or studied badly at school, in this case, agriculture enters in as a punishment” (rural resident in Telavi municipality) 3 National Statistic Office of Georgia http://geostat.ge/?action=page&p_id=118&lang=geo 4 See the chapter : Identifying problems and challenges in agricultural sector 30 There is widespread opinion among the rural population that agriculture doesn’t need to be learned, however, as one of the members said in focus groups conducted in Dusheti, education is important even in agriculture because.
- “When we will have education and will technologies then there will be no need of hoe and spade, I have been to several countries of Europe and I was amazed when I saw vast cultivated lands, rural activities don’t “suck” there because no one goes with hoe and spade“ According to the part of the young people participating in the survey, parents’ attitude has changed in recent years and more parent wishes their children to have an interest in agriculture.
- “Some parents say to their child to make agriculture as an additional source of income” (rural resident in Telavi municipality) Experts participating in the study noted that the current attitude towards the village is due to the experience of the last 20 years; Agricultural activities are not perceived as a business where profit is possible; therefore, according to experts, it is important that the consciousness should change in the population towards agriculture, in which the state should take significant steps.
- “There is no formulation in the law, regardubg who is a farmer, they say that we have 700 or 800 thousand farmers, so any person that brings any kind of product on the ground, is perceived as a farmer”( representative of “Association of Farmers) According to experts, a farmer is one who produces a product not only for the welfare of the family but sells it and income from the realization is a farmer’s profit 9.
Depopulation, aging and high quality of urbanization in Georgia Desk research shows that Georgia is experiencing several major negative demographic trends: Depopulation, aging of population and urbanization.
Forecasts made by International Monetary Fund (IMF) regarding Georgian population growth are negative and there is a reduction of the youth share in the population5.The share of young people in the age group of 15-29 is 19% of the total population 5 World Ecnomic Outlook Database http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2017/02/weodata/download.aspx 31 of Georgia and the last ten years are characterized by decreasing trend.
The majority of young people (about 53.1%) live in urban areas and about 27.7% in Tbilisi.6 Some major demographic characteristics of the Georgian youth are as follows: • 50.8% of the youth is male (while in whole population share of female people is 52.3%) • The majority of young people (about 53.1%) live in urban areas and about 27.7% in Tbilisi • According to regions, the highest percentage of young people is in Kvemo Kartli (25,4%), and the lowest in Samegrelo (19.1%); • About 29.5% of young people are married; In the context of gender, 40.6% of women and 19.1% of men are married; • Majority of the young people(29%) live in Tbilisi, Imereti (15.4%) and Kvemo Kartli (12%) • About 1/3 of those young people living in urban areas have higher education – It is 2,5 times higher compared to the education level of those living in rural areas.
• The more part of women has an education than that of in men • The share of employed men prevails in youth • The percentages of young people that belong to the 15-29 age group and are not involved in education, employment or training are 32.4%.

10.

The unemployment level in Youth According to the official statistics (National statistics office of Georgia) in 2016 unemployment rate in the young people was approximately 20-30%7.
This is significantly high rate comparing to average unemployment indicator in the state (approximately 11%).

It appears to be a significant problem for the society and economy.

The unemployment level in urban areas is higher, which is caused by the fact that rural population is self-employed in their farming, where they are engaged in small-scale agricultural activities.

It is noteworthy that only 30% of the workforce in the country lives in rural areas8.
On the one hand, young people are moving in urban areas (mostly in the capital) and abroad because of the lack of effective agricultural activities and, on the other hand, the lack of effective alternatives; 11.

The main motivations of youth migrating from village to town Research revealed that feeling of no perspective in agriculture makes young people find alternative ways to realize themselves.
In this regard, the best solution for the young people is a migration to the 6 National Statistics Office of Georgia - http://www.geostat.ge/ 7 National Statistics Office of Georgia - http://www.geostat.ge/ 8 National Statistics Office of Georgia - http://www.geostat.ge/ 32 city, where, in their opinion, it is easier to get employed - They go to find a job because farming is seasonal (eco-migrants/ internally displaced people, Adjara).
Migration in the city to get a higher education was named as another important motivation for youth: - “Education is the reason for migrating to the city I will not oblige my child to help me in agricultural activities.

I will say to my child that it is better to get an education in the city” (city residents, Shida Kartli) Focus group participants noted that parents want their children to be successful.
According to their evaluation the major prerequisite for success is to get a high education: - Of course, every parent wants their child to grow successfully and for this education is necessary” (Youth from Dusheti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti) It is worth mentioning that the youth while talking about getting the education they do not mean to education in agriculture because it is considered that it is not worth spending additional resources to get an education in agriculture.
One of the respondents had been going to university to attend lectures from Dusheti to Tbilisi for 4 years which in his/her opinion was very difficult he/she thought many times on moving to the city though having no finances she/he was unable to materialize the idea – “ I had been going to university from Dusheti, I thought for many times to move to the city, it was very tiring to go to university from Dusheti to Tbilisi every day”.
After getting an education, the majority of students don’t want to go back to the village because they get used to social life of the city, find a job, make friends and so on.

- „When you have been studying for 4 years in the city, you are getting used to it and you don’t want to go back in the village anymore, moreover when you have income” ( City residents, Adjara) The motivation of the youth is to get acquainted with news, be active, attend cultural events, make friends and so on.
– “In the village a young person is separated from the city, city life, a young person interested in innovations, more activity” (eco-migrants/ IDP, Adjara).

Rural life does not provide opportunities for active life.
The absence of necessary infrastructure in villages is the major reason for families to make a decision of migrating from village to city - “Mostly migrated people live in the residential block for rent, to take children in kindergarten or to school because in some villages there are no schools or kindergarten” (city residents, Mtskheta- Mtianeti) 33 Also, young people noted that there are no institutions or institutions located far from their villages, which are essential for the population living in the village.
For example, hospitals, pharmacies, grocery stores, sports halls, etc.

- "I have to pay five lari petrol to go to the store" (Rural youth, Shida Kartli) Transport-related problems were named as another problem that pushes the local population to migration.

- "Dusheti, which is a regional center, has a maximum of one transport per week, and 5-6 village residents have to adopt at one time.
This is a very big problem "(young people living in the village, Mtskheta- Mtianeti)" According to the youth in order to have a connection with the center, it is necessary to have transport at minimum 3 times a week from villages to municipality center Another reason why the youth migrated to the city is the employment of their parents/family members: We moved, Parents are working in Dusheti, we go to the village on weekends” ( Dusheti resident).
The avoidance of youth from the physical labor was named as one of the motivations to migrate.

- “To avoid physical labor majority of the youth goes from village to town and seeks a job there” (Dusheti resident youth) For some part of the youth it is important to be financially independent of the family and have a small but own income.

- "In my opinion, the young man should not be dependent on his parents, he must try to build himself up.
I think that's why they go to the city to have a salary, even a small " (Eco-migrants / IDPs, Adjara).

Another motivation for migration in focus groups was having more opportunities for entertainment in the city.

- “Young person living in rural areas can see what is happening in the city whether it is Gori, Tbilisi or cities outside the borders of Georgia, a young person living in the village has a desire to entertain too, a rural life is a daily routine.
You go for a work in the morning and you are back in the evening, you are tired and have no energy to have fun.

In my opinion, this is one of the reasons for leaving the village” (Youth living in the village, Shida Kartli) 34 The survey showed that for some part of the young people city provides the needs the youth has.
However, a number of young people participating in focus groups critically evaluated the expectations of young people about migrating to the city: - If you take the situation like this – city or village, the majority will choose the city.

They think that they don’t have to work physically in the city when they go there they are disappointed.

After that, some of them returns some of them stays and works on construction where he is paid 20 Laris a day” (rural youth, Adjara) 12.
Necessary activities and events for youth to get interested in agriculture Both target groups expressed the activities and events that will facilitate youth involvement growth in agricultural activities: - Holding informational meetings in villages will enable the local population including youth to get acquainted with the conditions and novelties that exist in the agricultural sector and what can the field offer to them.
- “There must be meetings and training in villages where will be discussed the necessity of youth involvement in agriculture and on the possibilities to become successful” (rural residents, Adjara) - Promote employment after education; Young people must have an expectation that after obtaining an adequate education in agriculture, it will have a real possibility of employment.
-"When they complete their studies, young people should be encouraged to work and have a good repayment" (village youth; Shida Kartli); - - Showing successful examples to the youth is necessary in order to make them believe in the field of agriculture.
For the conviction it is important to be a lot of successful farmer's examples - "the examples should be a lot and real and not coined or exaggerated" (rural youth, Mtskheta- Mtianeti); Study of farmers’ needs: It is indispensable to study the problems that a farmer is faced with and take them into account permanently in order to make the population believe that agriculture is priority field and it has pertinent attention in the country – “ The farmers that are engaged in agriculture must be interviewed in order to study the problems they have and act accordingly, they must feel that they are taken care of “ (rural youth, Mtskheta-Mtianeti) - Funding of projects in agriculture activities will increase the interest and involvement of young people in agriculture - "Young people should be financed.
The financing should be easy to get to have motivation "(village youth Mtskheta-Mtianeti); 35 - Spreading of information on the potential agriculture fields in schools; It is necessary that young people should be informed about agriculture in a formal, educational space - at school.

Distributors of information may be teachers who regularly interact with pupils and have a positive impact on pupils, taking into consideration their authority.
- "It will be important if the teachers will inform them because they have a frequent relationship with students and young people, they have influence and will pursue a policy in this direction" (village youth, Kakheti) The introduction of the training component on farming activities at labor lessons in schools will enable young people living in the villages to get acquainted with the different fields of agriculture, develop skills, and have the interest in agriculture from an early age "In rural schools, at labor lessons must be taught rural activities, show practical examples and so on."
(rural youth, Mtskheta-Mtianeti).

It is also important to arouse interest in end-class students, school-leavers regarding agriculture, especially in the segment who has not made a decision yet and has not chosen the future profession: - „There are many who have not made a decision regarding their profession and it is possible to give an impetus to them” (rural residents, Kakheti) - - Spreading information in public places will make new agricultural projects, innovations and so on.
accessible to the public – “ for example, many people gather in Chaikhana, so you can spread information there, it will be very effective” (migrated youth, Kvemo Kartli) Spreading information with the internet is important as the young people are active users of social networks, different websites and so on.
Respectively, spreading information with internet will be effective for a young person to get acquainted with the news of agriculture - “Many of the young people on the internet, in social networks, in the games are watching a lot of movies, so you can spread the information" (Telavi migrant youth, Kakheti) According to experts participated in the survey additionally named the activities and events that in their opinion will facilitate youth to get interested in agriculture: - Showing demonstrative land plots and technology presentation to the youth is another way for the young people to get acquainted with different fields of agriculture and have a desire to engage in the activities.
- "I think the presentation of sample land plots will be a good way for young people to get interested in the field, it is also important that young people know what technologies exist in 36 different fields of agriculture, and this information should be given to them directly to make them more interested" (representative of the Institute of Democracy)"; - Increase the role of private sector in the development of agriculture; To make private sector interested in investing in agriculture, it is necessary to create more favorable conditions for business.
- "If a private sector is interested in agriculture, it means that there will be more work that will reduce the migration rate from the village to the city" (representative of the Institute of Democracy); The participants of the research noted that the law on the development of high mountain regions, which the Parliament adopted in 2015, encourages young people to stay in villages and not migrate to cities - "I am a living example, who was funded to study and I know many examples of the last years when the family wants its child to be taught in school in high-mountain village to get finance (Rural Youth, Mtskheta-Mtianeti) This law has helped Giorgi living in the mountainous village of Mtskheta- Mtianeti in his agricultural activity.
"As soon as this Law went into force, we paid less electricity tax and did not pay profit and income taxes at all".

(Rural youth, Mtskheta-Mtianeti) 13.

How will the improvement of the existing situation in agricultural sector affect the youth motivation?
Within the survey framework on the question – if situation in agricultural fields changes into positive way would they have desire to engage in agricultural activities – In both target groups, especially in rural youth dominated the idea, that they would have willingness to engage in agriculture: “ If there were income I would show interest in agriculture”(rural youth, Kvemo Kartli).
The young people living in the city also showed the desire of returning to the village – “I would return to the village with great pleasure if I knew that my work and expenses will have an outcome.

I would go with great pleasure” (Young people migrated in Batumi, Adjara); However, until the young people will decide to return to villages they will try to evaluate existing situation in agriculture: “Before I make my decision I will realize it well, I will weigh it up” (Eco-migrants/IDP, Adjara).
The young people living in the city noted that in case of going back to the village they are taking much more risks, than the people living in rural areas because they will have to change the activities and lifestyle: 37 - “ If there is a good harvest this year, I won’t leave the city because of this and I will not go back to the village.
It is good for the people living there, they have nothing to lose, while I will have to start all over again” ( Youth migrated in Marneuli, Kvemo Kartli) The part of the young people living in the city, who showed interest in agriculture, think that in case of changing the situation in a better way they can engage in agriculture without leaving the city and do two works simultaneously: “ Of course I will engage, though I will not leave the job, I will make agriculture as my additional source of income” (Youth migrated in Gori).
Part of the youth participating in the focus groups is skeptical of the young people's interest in agriculture, even if the situation changes for better: - “ The feeling that you cannot do anything in agriculture is so rooted in the youth that I don’t think anyone will return to the village even if the situation changes suddenly” ( eco-migrants/IDP living in rural area, Adjara) Part of young people participating in focus groups who migrated in the city excludes returning to the village, even if favorable conditions will be created in rural areas: - „I have already been established in other directions, have other prospects and goals in my life and I think it's unreal that suddenly I’m changing my mind and going back to the village because there has appeared some perspective" (migrant youth in Adjara).
14.

Evaluation of the special role of youth in the agricultural sector Participants of both target groups talked about the special role that the youth may have in the agricultural field.
Following advantages of the youth were named in focus groups: • Necessary skills to acquire information:”A young person knows computer technologies better, has an access to information, because of that it is easier for him/her to find necessary information” (Gori, youth living in rural areas) • Ambition is very characteristic to the youth that is an important precondition to achieving success – “ A young person has the ambition to achieve success, be the first in his/her field” (Young people migrated in Dusheti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti) 38 • The ability to adopt innovations easily: ”Young person can take innovations easily, understand the work in the same fashion, while the elder person needs much more time ( rural youth, Kakheti) • Initiative: „Young people are more initiative, they may have ideas that will not come to the elder people’s"(the migrant youth in Batumi, Adjara) • The ability to easily adapt to new technologies in agriculture: "The young people can master the new technologies in the field easier, so it will develop the field faster" (a group of young people living in the village, Kakheti) • Good communication skills:”The young people know foreign languages, they can communicate with the people through the internet, can seek for the clients easily and so on”( rural residents, Shida Kartli) 15.
Necessary skills and features for young people interested in agricultural activities Experts participating in the survey named necessary skills and features that in their opinion must have the young people who wish to engage in agriculture.

The most pivotal thing is to have an education in the field where a young person plans to work – If one doesn’t have a knowledge he must obtain it at first, to understand how can he/she handle the business” ( Representative of the ministry of agriculture).
It is necessary a young be motivated and diligent: “He/she must dedicate most of the time to work, he must always think of what to do, to go further in the field” (rural youth, Adjara).

Novice farmer should have a detailed business plan and should be well aware what challenges and obstacles might face during his activities: “He must calculate in advance what problems may appear during his work, get familiar with the risks and prevent the risks maximally” (representative of “Association of Farmers).
Apart from having the knowledge, a young farmer must know where to realize the product before he starts producing it: “Farmer must know deliberately where he/she can sell the product, what possibilities are on the market” (representative of “Democracy Institution”).
The novice farmer should be able to advertise its products and marketing, he/she must have the skills that will help to sell products in the market - Besides the fact that farmer must know his business well, it is necessary to have skills to convince potential clients in the advantages of his/her product, which may be expressed in branding, making detailed description of the product and so on.

(Representative of the ministry of agriculture) 16.
Assessment of the social-economic situation of the young people and their families 39 General economic condition of families living in rural areas were evaluated as lower than average, which means that population of the village can satisfy their basic needs, for example pay the bills, buy necessary provision and so on –“If you are living in the village and have something in agriculture you will not die out of famine, however, general economic and social conditions are low” Though they cannot afford more expensive things, for instance, household items, tech and etc.
Participants of the focus groups noted that there are villages where the agriculture is not developed and the local population has no other sources of income.
Because of that for the majority of the local families, social aids are the main source of income – ”There are many families that have only social aid and they depend on it and keep themselves with it” ( rural youth, Kakheti) The economic situation is relatively high in the villages where tourism infrastructure is developing - “In my mother’s village, Khulo, the economic situation has developed because ropeway has been opened and people are employed, I mean Goderdzi resort” 17.
Education availability and accessibility for the youth in agricultural fields In order to develop any field active functioning of relevant an education structures are essential.

The young people should be able to get theoretical knowledge and practical experience in particular field.

That is why if the issue of development of agriculture is concerned there must be an emphasis on the availability and accessibility of education in the field at the same time.
In case of arousing interest regarding the different fields of agriculture and having the desire to involve in the field, the young people who are a novice in the field and do not have necessary knowledge and experience should be able to get an education at the local level, where they live.

This requires the existence of appropriate educational centers.

They should be able to develop basic skills and habits.
The study revealed that there are no resources in the villages for young people to get certain knowledge regarding agriculture at the local level.

In addition, it is worth mentioning that there are no conditions even in some cities.

Eco-migrants talk about the problems such as the lack of places in the faculty of agrarian sciences in Batumi University, here should be underlined the fact that respondent talks about getting a state grant.
One of the eco-migrants said that it is possible to get an education in the field, be employed and even have income.

- "It is in the Batumi university, but as I know is limited.

Only 10 students could get a free education this year "(eco migrants).

There is a job in Kobuleti, in Gvara, 700 GEL is salary.

There is a possibility to get an education” (eco-migrants) 40 In Adjara region, it is possible to get an education in agriculture in Batumi University, as the respondents said.
As for the employment possibilities in an agricultural field after getting an education, they say that there is a resource in the villages.

For the respondents, employment in agriculture is not only cultivating the land and looking after the cattle.

They think that one can get employed in the field even in the city.

- „You can get an education in Batumi and work in the district after that ...

Some people think that employment is only in the village, on land.
If you learn and educate, you may be employed in Batumi "(eco migrants).

Apart from the universities and vocational schools among the means of getting an education respondents name the sources such as an experience of a family member in the field, internet resources, colleges, books.

In their opinion, they can get too much information from the internet and acquire certain skills at the same time.

Respondents name “Youtube” as the most efficient website.

Besides, they mention training.


For example, a training on the beekeeping was held in Batumi.

Focus groups participants say that this kind of events gives efficient results since the individuals who had vast experience in the field got the information that they didn’t know and they are waiting for the next training with great interest and inducement.

- "I watch some things on the internet" (migrant youth in Batumi) - "I can do it via the internet.
That's how I started my herb business "(young people in Gori region); - "In the institution of higher education and professional education, mostly from the elder members of the family "(migrant youth in Batumi); - "All I know is the information I received from the family" (rural youth); One of the respondents mentioned that there is a winery school in their village which is a very good mean for the interested people to get knowledge and experience in the field - There is a winery school in my village, I could not follow to the end, and it was very interesting and useful „ (young people living in Telavi As for the respondent’s interest and desire to study any field of agriculture and continue acting in this field, differs by regions.
For example, for the young people living in Telavi municipality villages’ desired field is viticulture and winemaking.

It is no wonder because viticulture is widespread through Kakheti and the young people have basic knowledge and experience in the field.

Part of them wishes to continue or start getting an education in this direction though part of the respondents' name lack of finances as a hindering factor.
It is noteworthy that they want to make wine-vaults and create their wine industry; also, they want to start specific activities that are characteristic of the particular region that will facilitate tourism development.

41 Part of the respondents’ think that at this stage there is no need to get an additional education regarding any field of agriculture, though they do not exclude to take this step in the future if necessary.
According to the participants, increasing interest regarding agricultural activities will be determined by developing the field so that it will be possible to have financial profit out of it.

In addition, they say that the highest rate of interest will be among those young people who have inherited certain agricultural territories and can start certain activities.

- “I will learn gradually what I will need them.


If I start learning now there is no need of it” (Telavi resident youth) - “People who inherited territories and places they will learn for sure, why not?

You would have interest if you had many places” (Telavi resident youth) Part of the respondents says that they have great interest to get an education.
They want to get an education in relevant institutions, it can be vocational schools, colleges or universities because they think that deepening knowledge in the field you are engaged in is essential and it is necessary to take relevant academic knowledge.
- “I would for sure study some things regarding agriculture, what I am interested in” (Gori, rural youth) The focus groups revealed that besides winemaking and viticulture the young people know to bring different fruit crops and have certain knowledge of reproduction, which indicates that they use the knowledge in practice - “I can graft vineyard, fruit, I can do it independently” (Telavi resident youth) According to the information of Telavi resident youth, education on the agrarian faculty in Telavi University is free, that in their opinion should give impetus the young people to continue education in this direction.
The survey showed that in most cases, it happens in this fashion.

According to respondents, students choose both major and minor professions mainly based on the curriculum on the agrarian faculty.

Interest in agriculture is obvious, but it is noteworthy that they are most interested in winemaking.

- In parallel, there are secondary faculties, I am going to learn winemaking in private branch for instance and it gives you a lot.
There are practical exercises and it is very interesting "(young people living in Telavi) Young people living in Marneuli say that there is no institution on spot, where you can get certain knowledge in the agriculture field, however, if there will be such a possibility it will with no doubt arouse interest in the young people regarding agriculture.

There is no such institution in the villages of Dusheti municipality or in the regional center that can give education to the youth.
According to them, it appears to be a big problem.

Rural residents should not have to go in the city to get theoretical or 42 practical knowledge in different fields of agriculture.

The main source of gathering information is the internet.

- “When my father sows medicago to feed the cows, he knew via internet how to take care of it, how to spray pesticide” (Dusheti, migrant young) The study showed that there is no vet in some villages.
Nevertheless, there was a possibility to master the profession there was no interest from the society that is perceived as a bad fact.

As the respondents say vets don’t have a stable salary.

Their income depends on earning which can’t provide a stable financial condition.

This itself is one of the determinant factors that demand rate for the profession is low.
Respondents say that who has an animal farm or has some cattle one should have basic skills to take care of them, to cure, how to act with different diseases.

Anthrax is one of the most spread diseases that are very hazardous and without timely reaction, it can infect other animals and cause their death.

That fact was observed on Bazaleti.

Respondents say that this is caused by ignorance.


- “Vet doesn’t have salary with us, when we call him in such cases we are giving a salary ( Dusheti municipality, rural population) Young people living in Tianeti municipality say that they have vocational institution/college, where specific issues are taught regarding agriculture.
Respondents also say that this kind of institution exists in Gori, however, attending on lectures there is connected with certain problems for rural the population Respondents recall such practices as planting gardens in order to determine the effectiveness of poison- chemicals, which in itself positively assessed.

They also recall the fact when a young person after graduating from the relevant faculty opened chicken farm or wine cellar.
- „ I know a man who had a trial garden where he tested chemicals and seeds” ( Gori, city residents) “Some people started viticulture in my village and then entered the institution and opened wine cellar.

One of them after finishing education made chicken farm, such people are few” (Gori, rural youth) In case of engaging in agricultural activities as one of the basic requirements that the young people settle for themselves is how profitable this activity can be.
As the survey showed part of the youth are skeptical regarding education in agriculture and if they have to choose they prefer to master another profession in the university.

- “It depends on what the salary will be after vocational education”( Gori, village youth) - ” If I have to choose between learning agriculture and studying at the university I will choose the second one” ( Gori, rural youth) 43 Respondents also talked about the major skills that a person should have who is engaged in agriculture.
As the research showed, first of all, if a man wants to succeed in agriculture he should love the village.

Besides, interest, intention, advanced planning and calculation skills are necessary and financial capital is also essential for the person to be able to initiate a specific activity.

- „First of all, love for the village, as well as interest in what you do.
Capital, resources to start the job is essential "(Gori, village youth) - "In my opinion, finance, interest, calculation, and planning skills are necessary" (Gori, village youth) As for the experts in the survey, the majority of them thinks that getting an agrarian education in Georgia is linked with certain barriers.

There are not enough vocational institutions and colleges where a person can get an education.

In their opinion, it is essential to get both theoretical and practical knowledge.
Their synthetic use should be done.It is also important to note that the experts doubt the level of qualification of the specialists in the agriculture sector and say that the qualification of people employed in the modern Agrarian sector is quite a problem.
- "Generally the qualification of the modern agrarian sector is a problem" (Agriculture Project Management Agency) According to the in-depth interviews, there are agricultural consulting centers in all regions that can be modified in a way to give knowledge to the interested people locally.

They will be able to use received knowledge in practice together with the farmers.

Also, there are several vocational schools where one can get knowledge in the field.
Besides, respondents note that donor organizations never refuse to hold training in the agricultural field, issue grants and to sent interested people abroad to attend retraining courses, though it is noteworthy that rate of the society’s interest in this field is quite low.

- “We have agricultural consulting centers in all regions now we talk about changing the service to extension services to be permanent teachings on spot.
We will teach them and after that, they can use it with farmers” Sectoral development division of the department of agriculture and food) - "In Kachreti there is a professional school, which is prestigious because they are already giving the profession."

(Sectoral development division of the department of agriculture and food) The study revealed one interesting project, that is carried out by the ministry of science funded by Swiss Development Agency.
This project is being implemented by the support of United Nations.

It aims to create such vocational institutions in agriculture in the regions of Georgia that provides not only theoretical knowledge but cares for practical experience and further employment.

One of the experts says that this project is being successfully materialized in 5 regions of Georgia.

A large number of the young people has been employed in different enterprises and gets certain income.
It is important to have interest and motivation because there are resources to get an education indeed.

One of the 44 experts says that vocational institutions are equipped with necessary resources and inventories and the teachers are qualified.

- Vocational Schools have been rehabilitated in terms of infrastructure.
Teachers have been retrained" (Georgian Farmers Association) - "50 percent of the students are taught in the field of theory in the colleges and half of them practiced in the most successful enterprises or companies in Georgia" (Farmers Association of Georgia) - „The majority of students, who will be liked by the factories and will be considered employable, interested and most importantly ambitious, they keep them as employees, that is a great motivation for students" (Farmers Association of Georgia).

18.
Interventions with a positive influence in agriculture In recent years the main stages of the Georgian government's efforts in agriculture sector were: • • Introduction of agriculture support programs through the Agricultural Management Agency (AMPA); Introduction of Agricultural Cooperative Development Agency (2013); Acceptance of Agricultural Development Strategy in Georgia 2015-2020 (2015); • Acceptance of the Law on Mountainous Regions of Georgia (2015) and elaboration of Rural Development Strategy 2017-2020 (2017); • Projects implemented by donor organizations in terms of agriculture and rural development; Notable projects implemented by the donor organizations are ENPARD (EU), ZRDA activity (USAID), REAP (USAID).
The special interest is aroused by a project that will be funded by DANIDA and will be implemented by IFAD and APMA.

This will be grant-supporting program for the young entrepreneurs in agriculture (It will start in 2018).

Experience of other small initiatives that are worth consideration is young entrepreneurs’ school, which was established by the cooperation of MFO Crystal, USAID, and PH International.
The projects related to rural youth were implemented by international non-governmental organizations and by funding of donor organizations.

Interesting projects have been carried out by the following organizations: World Vision, People In Need, Red Cross, Peace Corps Georgia, Europe Foundations etc.
The aims and projects of the organizations in rural areas were of large scope and encompassed: Youth involvement support (Each target or other vulnerable groups) in public economy, political social life; Strengthening of them and encouraging volunteering; Improve living conditions; Promoting informal education and so on.

These projects were focused on specific regions and specific aspects of issues related to young people.
In the table #2 below, see the summary of implemented projects in an agricultural field in Georgia by the private donor organizations.
45 46 Source/Agenc y of financing European Investment Bank (EIB) Project Project type Chains of Georgian agro-food value Loan Bulgaria/USA Strengthen the capacity of the National Food Agency for risk assessment and risk management Technical assistance Switzerland on-demand services project Grant European Union (EU) Strengthening capacity of Agricultural Cooperative Development Agency (ACDA) Technical assistance Switzerland GE Rural Economic Development in the Southern Region (Funded SDC + DANIDA) Grant USA / (USAID) Restoration of efficiency of agricultural production (REAP) in Georgia Technical assistance Austria/ (ADA) Strengthening Capacity of Agricultural Cooperatives (CBAC) Technical assistance Start date/ End date 12/9/201 6 12/31/20 27 9/26/201 6 12/30/20 17 8/1/2013 12/31/20 17 9/30/201 5 9/29/201 7 5/1/2012 10/30/20 17 10/1/201 3 9/26/201 8 9/1/2015 8/31/201 8 OECD sector Implementing Agency Development of small and medium sized entrepreneurship; Development of agriculture; Agro-industry; Trade-related regulation; Agricultural policy and administrative management; Breeding; Agricultural education / training; Breeding / veterinary services; Agricultural policy and administrative management Agricultural policy and administrative management Agricultural Projects Management Agency (APMA) Ministry of Agriculture; National Food Agency; - - Agriculture Development NIRAS LTD Agriculture Development CNFA • Development of agriculture • Agricultural education and training Georgia Farmers Association (GFA) Source/Agenc y of financing Project Project type Start date/ End date OECD sector Implementing Agency Austria/ (ADA) Development of Capacity / Skills of the Ministry of Agriculture Technical assistance Austria/ (ADA) Promote the development of rural welfare in Georgia Technical assistance EU EU EU New achievements in rural development in Georgia Grant Local Action Group - Kazbegi Grant Rural participant development in Georgia Grant USA/ (USAID) Georgia's Hazelnut Improvement Project (G-HIP) (G-HIP) Grant Sweden/
 (SIDA) The main support of ISET Policy Institute Grant Austria/ (ADA) Technical Assistance for establishing National association for Identification, Registration and Traceability of animals in Georgia (NAITS) Technical assistance 12/1/201 3 12/31/20 17 1/1/2014 6/30/201 8 7/1/2015 8/31/201 7 7/1/2015 10/31/20 17 7/1/2015 10/31/20 17 12/23/20 15 12/22/20 20 12/1/201 4 9/30/201 9 12/1/201 6 11/30/20 20 48 • Agricultural cooperatives • Development of agriculture • Cost of agricultural production • Agricultural Education / Teaching • Agricultural cooperatives • Development of agriculture • Agricultural cooperatives Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) CARE Austria Agriculture Development Agriculture Development Agriculture Development - - - Agriculture Development CNFA Agriculture Development Partnership for Economic Education and Research (PEER) Agriculture Development Cattle- breeding; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Source/Agenc y of financing Project Project type Czech Republic Supporting traditional livelihood / living systems in Tusheti Grant Estonia Czech Republic EU Implementing activities related to the breeding and feeding of ungulate and horned cattle in Georgia's dairy farms Technical assistance Increase of small farmers' cooperation and productivity in Imereti region ENPARD Georgia - Budget Support Review Mission (in the 4th tranche) Grant Grant World Bank Irrigation system and land market development Investment project China Acquisition of Agricultural tech / equipment for the Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia (for greenhouse vegetable cultivation and for improving land use services in Georgia) Grant Switzerland GE Rural Dev.
Lesser Caucasus (Exit) Grant Switzerland GE Rural Dev.
Kakheti (2nd phase) Grant OECD sector Implementing Agency Agriculture Development Caritas – Czech Republic • Development of agriculture • Cattle-Breeding • Agricultural education and training • Cattle-Breeding/ veterinary services Agriculture Development Agriculture Development Agriculture Water Resources Agricultural expenses - - - - - Cattle-Breeding Mercy Corps Cattle-Breeding Heks-Eper Start date/ End date 2/1/2014 11/30/20 17 6/1/2016 12/31/20 17 1/1/2014 12/31/20 17 8/3/2016 12/6/201 7 1/1/2014 7/31/201 9 12/20/20 11 12/31/20 17 3/1/2017 2/28/201 9 12/1/201 5 49 Source/Agenc y of financing Project Project type Switzerland Animal identification and traceability system at local level Grant Lithuania EU Czech Republic Germany / GIZ (BMZ) EU EU EU Improving Competitiveness of Breeding Livestock Cooperatives in the Autonomous Republic of Adjara Formal and informal education development in the field of agribusiness in Georgia Creating a Multifunctional Regional Center for Developing Beekeeping Subordinated Loans to Microfinance Organizations in Georgia for Agricultural Spaces Rural wellfare cooperatives in Georgia New direction: Promoting Agricultural Cooperation in Georgia Strengthening farmers' cooperatives in municipalities that unite villages Grant Grant Grant Investment project Grant Grant Grant Start date/ End date 11/30/20 18 12/1/201 6 12/31/20 20 3/1/2016 11/11/20 17 9/1/2015 8/31/201 7 8/1/2016 12/31/20 19 6/1/2012 12/31/20 19 1/1/2014 12/31/20 17 2/1/2014 1/31/201 8 1/1/2014 12/31/20 17 50 OECD sector Implementing Agency Cattle-Breeding Cattle-Breeding Agricultural Education / Teaching Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) - - Agricultural Education / Teaching State Veterinary Administration - Prague Agriculture Financial Services KFW Agricultural cooperatives Agricultural cooperatives Agricultural cooperatives - - - Source/Agenc y of financing Project Project type Austria/ (ADA) Animal Health Management in the Borderlands of Georgia and Armenia - II Phase Technical assistance Start date/ End date 5/15/201 5 5/14/201 8 OECD sector Implementing Agency Cattle-Breeding/ Services Veterinary Heifer Georgia; Center for Agribusiness and Rural Development (CARD) 51 For the research, it was interesting to find out what interventions/activities were implemented or to be implemented in the future in the field of agriculture in order to make it clear how important is the participation of young people in agricultural activities and how effective the results are by their involvement in the field.
We asked respondents to recall some encouraging event, which was implemented in terms of developing agricultural fields by different organizations, institutions or structures.

The participants of the focus groups conducted with eco-migrants and IDP talked about vouchers that they could use to cultivate their lands for free.

They say they used the vouchers as well as their neighbors did.

“There was a voucher to use a tractor that was bought by them and you can plow the land with it: (eco- migrants/IDP).
Respondents give a negative evaluation of the fact that state aid was only providing plowing of the land plot.

Further steps such as sowing should be carried out by the owner with own expenses and according to the respondent, the population could not afford it.
Besides, the young people living in Batumi noted that unlike the past years no voucher was allotted to them this year: “only ploughing and not sowing, it was really bad, you ploughed the land then you wanted to sow it but you were not able to do so” (Group of eco-migrants/IDP) Besides the faults that state aid had, respondents also talked about youth attitude regarding the agricultural field.
Part of the participants say that this segment of society does not have an interest to work on the land because they cannot see profit in: “The youth think that there is no idea in working on the land” (a group of eco-migrants/IDP) It is noteworthy that participant eco-migrants and internally displaced people have never heard of the organizations that carry out events in this field.
Conducted focus-groups revealed that the young people living in the rural or urban areas have more information about the organizations, their activities and their implemented projects in the field comparing to the eco-migrants and IDP.

However, in this segment of respondents appeared the part who have never heard of the organizations and projects.

Some say that they can’t recall, some don’t know, some say that: “Who is interested in agriculture he/she probably knows.
I don’t, I have never heard (rural resident, Telavi municipality) Respondents recall such programs that promote local tourism development and involvement of the population in it.

"They paid money to build homes and spas for tourism development" (young people living in Batumi).

In addition, they name certain organizations who aimed to facilitate farmers in their activities.

With their help the people employed in the agriculture produce olives, walnuts, etc., they earn money out of it.
However, it is noteworthy that the provided help to the beneficiaries by the organizations is kind of “lending” because they ask to return the investment they invested to help the beneficiary after they yield the harvest and their activity becomes the source of income.

Participants of the discussion also remember citrus festival that was held in Kobuleti.

They think that it is essential to exhibit and sell local products while tourist season, that will become some kind of source of income.
The reason for this is the interest of tourists and the strong approvals of Georgian products: "Foreigners are crazy about Georgian products.

Exhibition-sales should be organized, information should be spread, and there will be income "(young people living in the village of Adjara).

Respondents most frequently name the encouraging programs and events such as: “Produce in Georgia” and giving free vouchers to buy different agricultural equipment and some resources.
The part of the respondents whose business plan is funded by the issued grant of the project “Produce in Georgia”, say that this program facilitates the development of the individual business.

As for the free voucher, the latter are evaluated positively because peasants were able to use a tractor for free, buy the chemicals, seeds, fertilizer, and fuel was distributed to the population.
They also named programs such as “start- up”, programs carried out by the Embassy of the United States, training in agricultural fields in the EU framework and so on.
As we see individuals participated in the survey positively evaluate the aid provided by the state and private sector :” For example, my father got funded in the program “Produce in Georgia” (Young living in Dusheti municipality) “Representatives of the non-governmental organizations arrived in our village and we could buy a tractor within 2600 GEL, or any other thing.
This is also a help, giving a gift” (Young people living in Gori municipality village); "The American Embassy has programs where everyone can take part" (younger living in Gori). "

Apart from state programs, respondents name as the organizer of such projects organizations such as “KEA” “Agro Georgian” “ACDA”, Embassy of the United States, EU Organization and so on.

One respondent talks about his own organization “Mindia” whose main activity field is agriculture.
In particular, it studies niche products; Local municipality government helps him to open information center where interested individuals will get thorough information about agriculture.

Participants of the focus groups talk about the negative experiences that were created within the planned funding in agriculture.

They recall the cases when animals died in an animal farm built by designed funding which became the reason for closing down the farm.
In addition, some of them say that single-use vouchers are not enough.
Respondents recall the cases when people took bank loans in order to invest money in the agriculture, which they couldn’t cover and faced serious problems because of this:” What I know, people take loans from the banks to invest money in agriculture and after that they encounter serious problems” (Young person living in Telavi) According to the respondents' evaluations, existing programs that take care of agricultural land cannot be encouraging young people or stimulating them to actively engage in agriculture and to start (or continue) in this field.
They think that it is necessary to raise awareness of young people in the field of agriculture.
Youth should be informed; There is a need to develop certain educational modules that 53 will enable them to get knowledge in the field of agriculture: " I don’t think that program of ploughing and sowing can’t raise youth engagement in the field, the most important is education in youth and having many educational centers” (Young resident living in the village, Adjara) One of the experts, within the in-depth interview, talked regarding the direction to which the part of the budget distributes/must be distributed, that is allotted for youth engagement in agricultural activities.
The expert noted that it is highly important for the youth to have access to informal education.

The expert talks about creating such institutions that will be adapted to the youth and will focus on employment of the segment in addition to helping them acquire special and necessary skills.

The project mentioned by the expert.


“Youth Worker” that is funded by the EU, mostly at initial stage provides to generate entrepreneurial skills in the young people, which of course will facilitate the development of the agriculture.
It should be considered, that part of the youth doesn’t show interest in working on land, though there are people who are engaged in agricultural activities: ”Our goal is to implement pilot programs regarding developing entrepreneurial skills and generally to make web platform in this regard” ((Representative of the Children and Youth Development Fund); "Interest is in a certain group, though there are marginal groups that do not work at all because of problems, or vice versa, Run away in the city "(representative of the Children and Youth Development Fund).
They are coming to the city” (Representative of the Children and Youth Development Fund); One of the experts noted that, in order to increase youth’s interest in the agriculture and to avoid migration in the city, the expert’s organization started a so-called project of “social entrepreneurship”.

Experts discussed the problems and challenges that exist in the agriculture.
One of the participants noted that lands are too fragmented that hinders introduction of agricultural technologies in the territories (for example, the introduction of irrigation system).

As one of the experts says, there is agriculture management agency in his/her organization that implements significant projects for the youth in agricultural fields.
The expert names projects such as “Introduce the future” that provides certain subsidies for the beneficiaries, it can be funding of irrigation system, nursery material and so on.

The involved individuals can carry out different activities within the frames of the project.

Experts, also, talk about “agro-insurance” project for the engaged population in agriculture, “cheap credit” program and etc.
“Lands are too fragmented, you can’t introduce technologies in such small area, and you can’t use mechanization level as you can in vast territories.” “Introduce the Future” is a very good an successful project because it goes to the small and medium-sized farmers, to their needs” (representative agricultural projects management agency) “ Project of “agro-credit” is very important, you probably have heard about “cheap credit” because the finances and the money of the banks is available for any person now” representative agricultural projects management agency) As the participant expert says within the frame of the project “Introduce the Future”, more young people will be able to get grants comparing to this year.
The volume of the project grant is increasing.

54 Furthermore, it is noteworthy that those who do not have the experience of writing applications will be able to get help from the members of the organization who will explain them in details, step-by- step on how to apply the application.

"They don’t restrict you, so you can work in direction of agro tourism development.
You have a house, make several presentations, present this project, and work in this direction „ (representative of the Ministry of Agriculture Experts note that society suffers from the lack of information on the projects and programs in agriculture or on the organizations that work in this field, which itself will negatively reflect on the development of the fields.
It is unequivocally significant to raise awareness level within the society that with no doubt increases interest and involvement in agriculture.

Members of society do not have knowledge and experience of using the modern technologies that make agricultural activities easier and more effective.

The fear of innovation is also evident and respectively they prefer to do the things they have already experienced.
On the other hand, experts note that organizations in the field hold informative/educational training sessions that facilitate the growth of information and level of knowledge.

Therefore, the practice of using new technologies is being introduced: “The thing that the farmers lack the most is knowledge in the technological field, respectively the introduction of innovations and technologies” (representative of the ministry of agriculture).
Respondents say that the involvement of youth in agrarian sector is a problematic issue for not only Georgia but also this is connected with certain problems in the developed countries around the world.

However, it is noteworthy that unlike Georgia the students who study in agrarian faculties in foreign countries have greater assistance that increases stimulus and interest.
According to the respondents we must envisage the foreign practice and adjust it to Georgian reality in order to involve more young people more actively in the agricultural activities: “ There is a great interest in involving the youth in agrarian sector and it is not only our problem, this is the same around the world///we have experience of other countries how to attract the youth to involve them in agriculture” (representative of the ministry of agriculture) The employee of the ministry of agriculture noted that project management agency has not confirmed yet the project that would be oriented only to the young people.
However, the projects that young people can participate include: "As such, we have not done anything for young people only, now starts a project that is directly directed to men under the age of 35 and women under the age of 40.
A tender will be announced and those who will be in the age group they will have right to participate” One of the experts talked on the projects that are implemented by the financial support of EU within the frames of ENPARD, European neighborhood programme for agriculture and rural development.

The project aims to facilitate social and economic development in Keda municipality.
Respondent talks about unions in the municipality – the union of active citizens, which exists in every community of the municipality and 30% of union members are the young people.

“The young people are presented in large numbers in the unions and we are going to establish LAGs (Local Action Group) in the same 55 fashion.

We are going to have programmes for the youth that will be funded by us.
We will have youth direction were the young people will be involved (Representative of “Democracy Institution”) According to the survey youth, participation in agriculture is hindered by their migration from village to the city.

However, the main job for the young people remained in the villages still are the fields of agriculture.
According to the expert working in Adjara region, 20% of high-mountainous population of Adjara is the youth: “ Unlike from the other regions Adjara has little land and because of that who stays in the village has to engage in agriculture and we can say that the very people make agricultural products” (Representative of “Democracy Institution”).

One of the projects where a large number of the young people were employed was “Adjaristskali Georgia”.
Expert says that within the project were issued grants as in the agriculture field as in the construction, preventive inspection and so on.

The majority of grants was issued on projects that were related to poultry raising and cattle breeding.

70-80% of the beneficiaries were the young people.


At the local stage, the number of the young people who want to engage in the agriculture rises in the case when they do not have any means to stay in the city after receiving an education and respectively they have to return to the rural area.

This, in turn, facilitates the development of the agrarian sector in villages though there were cases when a beneficiary were funded but didn’t carry out the project and as the reason was named lack of time.
This, of course, is the indicator of irresponsibility and lack of interest of the individual who got the grant, which requires implementing additional events in terms of raising the interest in the youth.

Experts say that as soon as the participant of the project gets the grant he/she must be aided by the state in certain issues that seldom happens: - “The most grants were issued on the poultry-raising and cattle-breeding.
70-80% of beneficiaries from the presented projects was the youth….The obstacle that comes from the beneficiaries is a low sense of responsibility and the role of the government is highly important, the state doesn’t support the targeted interest of the rural youth” (Democracy Institution) One of the experts participating in the survey talked about the only governmental organization in Georgia, Children and Youth Development Fund, which provides financial support of the youth connections.
The vast majority of project applications applied by the youth are regarding social entrepreneurship, and the majority of implemented projects within the frames are connected with the agriculture.

Priority locations where the projects are funded are mostly the villages and which means to intensify the spaces.
The respondent speaks about the projects in which the mining mechanization center was made, where young people receive information on how to use and introduce innovative methods for the implementation of agricultural activities.

Training sessions regarding beekeeping were held in Pankisi valley and the fund issued a grant in this direction, a certain area of beekeeping was arranged in the Batsari valley, where several youngsters were employed.
A youth center is functioning in village Sobisi, Gori municipality, where the dried fruit and apple juice is produced.

All this indicates the fact that in different regions and villages of Georgia certain projects are implemented in terms of agriculture, where the young people are employed.

56 Participants of the focus groups unanimously note that development of agriculture will affect the youth positively, which in turn will grow the level of their involvement in the field.
One of the respondents draws a parallel with the fact, what influence had the development of tourism on the youth.

The respondent says as soon as tourism became successful field the young people started to get education in this field.

Respectively, he/she thinks that the situation will be repeated if the fields of agriculture will be more developed and popular.
However, it must be noted that respondents recall the obstacles such as business monopolization within the hands of one organization or harvest devastation by the natural disasters.

Therefore, it is no wonder that youth do not consider agriculture as a profitable field, they do not have a desire to engage in this direction: “When there is a perspective, the time coincides with the spread of the disease; the hazelnuts are popular and entered the stinkbug.
There is no tangerine in this year "(eco-migrant group representative).
Part of the respondents notes that agriculture is a promising field and if the development of the field will be facilitated and relevant events are implemented this will have a positive outcome, as on the whole country as on the young people living in villages: - "Our country is located on a territorial place, where, I think the agriculture will have a bigger economy ..." Development of agriculture will give young people a chance to not get out of the village "(young people living in the village of Adjara).
Respondents say that young people need adequate information on the field of agriculture at the right time and in the right place.

They need to know what the benefits are in this field and then the employment of them.

They also say that it is necessary to carry out encouraging event for the youth to increase the motivation and interest towards the agricultural sector: - “The information should be spread in schools and universities; otherwise it will not have an effect.
It should ensure that young people are informed when they decide what profession they choose and what direction they want to live in "(youngster living in Telavi).

According to the respondents, youth’s ideas, attitudes, evaluations significantly differ from the practice of the previous generation: Their attitudes are more effective than that of the elder people; Young people can get the novelty and adopt the information quicker than the elder people adopt.
Recommendations • In order to strengthen youth engagement it is necessary to encourage and facilitate the agricultural fields that have export potential where the innovative technologies are used and 57 also, the fields that give possibilities to sell products in different directions (For example, beekeeping, viticulture and so on) • The youth need to get help in revision/restructuring of agricultural fields and to select new fields to make their activities competitive and successful on the market; • In order to get agriculture more promising and interesting field for the youth, it is essential to overcome the problems that the farmers have.
In particular, farmers need assistance in the following direction: A) Finding an appropriate market for selling the product; B) Prevention of external risk factors (bad climate conditions, insect damage and so on) and negative results; C) Funding the ideas of the young farmers by the means of different projects (so-called start- ups, grants and etc.)
D) Implementation lobbying of the infrastructural projects in rural areas, for example, rehabilitation or building the schools, kindergartens, cultural institutions, irrigational channels and so on, that will reduce the migration from the village to the city.
E) Facilitate of training the specialists in the field who in case of necessity will provide farmers with information and consultation related to the novelties of agrarian sector that touches upon, for example, bringing the product using chemicals and so on.

F) Facilitate in providing the necessary resources for expanding the farming activity such as setting cool farming, the supply of necessary agricultural equipment and so on.
• Agriculture has development perspective in tourism, thus facilitating the development of agrotourism will increase interest and involvement of the youth in agriculture; • Priority should be the development of the fields of agriculture where the possibility of using technology is higher and the need of physical labor is less; • It is important for young farmers to have institutional space, that will give the possibility to share their experiences with other farmers or interested individuals, where the training sessions, so-called workshops, and activities will be held regarding actual issues of the agriculture; Such space will also serve as a consulting center where young farmers will be offered alternative ways of solving problems.
• Hence the fact that influence of parents/head of the family on their children in making a decision regarding their activity profession and so on.
is important, it is essential that the target group of spreading information to be parents together with the youth; • For young people to stay in rural areas and not to migrate in the city, it is necessary to have the employers' interest in the potential of youth based on their professional training; • Young people should be able to get professional education locally near their home.
This requires the existence of appropriate educational centers that will help young people to develop basic skills of agricultural activities; • Following activities will promote youth involvement in agricultural activities : 58 A) To hold informational meetings in villages regarding agricultural programs, technological innovation, bringing product and realization, access to education etc.
B) After receiving agrarian education, promoting employment by the means of the so-called "startups", issuing preferential credits and so on.

C) Involve young people in practical activities, which implies, for instance, internship and gaining experience in farms; D) Introduction of successful examples of farming practices for young people; E) permanent study of the needs of farmers using different methods of social research (focus group, survey, observation, etc.
); F) Information spreading in public places regarding the programs in agriculture, projects, innovations, etc.

(for example in Chaikhanas, in Muslim settlements), which will make information available to the general public, especially for older persons, who are non-typical users of the Internet and social networks.
G) Information spreading via the internet on programs projects innovations that exist in agriculture, as target groups will be the young people who are active users of social networks and different websites; H) Showing demonstrative land plots and introduce new technologies to the youth, which is another way to get young people acquainted with different fields of agriculture and have interest in engaging in the activities.
• The level of awareness of young people in different sectors of agriculture should be raised by schools and universities as well as by informal education.
Sources used An Integrated Approach to Rural Development Dialogues at the Economic and Social Council, UN Country Fact Sheet on Youth Policy in Georgia, 25/11/2016, Nino Tsereteli DCFTA Implementation Action Plan for 2014-2017 (2014) Decree 92 of the President of Georgia on “State Concept for Supporting Georgian Youth” Georgia’s Social and Economic Development Strategy Georgia 2020 (2014) Georgia’s Vocational Educational Reform Strategy For 2013-2020 (2013) Government of Georgia Resolution №112 - On establishing the Coordinating Council for Development of State Youth Policy.
17 May, 2013 http://volunteers.youth.gov.ge/ https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/rural-development-2014-2020_en 59 https://goo.gl/xPHr5o Juvenile Justice Code Law Concerning State Support to Children and Youth Unions Law Concerning the Protection of Underage Children from Harmful Influence Law on State Support of Youth Work (Pending) Law on the Development of Mountainous Regions of Georgia Local Self-Government Code Memorandum Database of Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs N. Chelidze, Labor emigration of Georgian youth.
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