2019-05-11
Today, Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze familiarized himself with the ongoing anti-stink bug measures in the village of Kakhati.
The Prime Minister was informed by Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Levan Davitashvili, and representatives of the center for fighting pests, about the process of applying pesticides and other means of dealing with stink bugs.
As it was pointed out, the budget resources allocated for fighting pests have decupled to make up 45 million GEL in 2019.
The Minister of Agriculture provided the Prime Minister with information on the ongoing complex measures under the Program for Salvaging Hazelnuts developed in cooperation with the Association of Hazelnut Manufacturers.
The state has provided the association with pesticides to be handed over to farmers for temporal use. At the same time, large-scale consultations are provided with the participation of agricultural consultants in order to carry out timely agricultural activities and to mitigate possible losses for the population.
The Prime Minister instructed the Minister of Agriculture and the representatives of the management center for combating stink bugs to provide the population with maximal assistance in fighting against pests, and to make sure that every household without exception is informed about pesticides and other relevant methods.
The state has maximally mobilized all resources to ensure timely and effective measures against stink bugs. The management center for combating stink bugs operates in Western Georgia. Compared to 2017, the relevant technical means have decupled, with more than 250 special mechanized units mobilized. In line with the state program, these measures rely on the biological properties of pests. The regions of Samegrelo, Guria, and Imereti, and the municipalities of Adjara, conduct systematic monitoring and daily meetings with the locals.
Almost 50,000 "Attract and Exterminate" stations have been put in place to exterminate pests. Based on monitoring activities, priority villages and locations have been identified where, depending on climatic conditions, lands will be cultivated. Under the state program, measures will be carried out large plantations of annual plants in state- and privately owned territories.
The population's engagement is key in the process of ensuring maximal effectiveness in the fight against pests. Citizen awareness is another important component. To this end, a message system and a special website have been created, and an active awareness campaign is in full swing.
45 million GEL has been allocated from the state budget in 2019 to finance measures against stink bugs.
Prime Minister's Press Office