2019-08-16
Mamuka Bakhtadze, Prime Minister of Georgia visited a center for the management of measures targeted against the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) in Abasha Municipality today.
Head of Government of Georgia received detailed information from the management team on the means and methods used in the fight against the pest.
Prime Minister of Georgia particularly stressed the significant contribution of the USA in the implementation of the anti-BMSB measures and thanked the Government of the strategic partner country.
It was noted at the meeting that long experience of the USA has been used to develop a State Action Plan for the Fight Against the BMSB. Within a program supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Ministry of Environment and Agriculture of Georgia received 17 tractors and personal protective means last June, while the National Food Agency of Georgia (NFA) received 45 specialized four-wheel drive vehicles this year.
As the Prime Minister of Georgia learned at the management center, population of the pest has been significantly reduced this year due to the measures implemented by the authorities and active engagement of the local communities.
It was noted that measures are implemented in Samegrelo, Guria, Imereti regions and Adjara. System of alert notifications has been developed, along with a dedicated website for keeping the local communities informed. Outreach meetings are held on a daily basis, together with an active information campaign. Local authorities are engaged in the planning and implementation of the measures. Specialized vehicles of the NFA are used for the treatment of plants in villages with a fog technology. Attract and Kill stations are being installed.
"BMSB has caused us a huge damage in the last three years. Our farmers fail to generate income from the sale of their crops over the past several years. Our losses exceed several hundred million dollars. It was a very painful challenge. This year we can boldly state that BMSB problem is resolved. Harvest is going to be very good this year and further more is expected in 2020. Prices have been tripled compared to the last year, which means that our population will be able to generate about 120 MLN USD from the sale of hazelnuts" stated the Prime Minister of Georgia.
Head of Government of Georgia instructed the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture of Georgia to continue the measures envisaged in the State Program until the pest ultimately gets under control; and to focus on fungus diseases, which causes significant problems to the hazelnut sector.
Prime Minister of Georgia visited the Anti-BMSB Management Centre together with a Minister of Environment and Agriculture of Georgia, regional majoritarian MPs and USAID Mission Director in Georgia. Visiting officials also saw specialized vehicles and equipment on display.
Prime Minister's Press Office