BUSINESS

APRIL 15 - 21, 2022 BUSINESS

9 The Georgian Fish and Caviar Farm

Malkhaz Shubalidze came up with the idea of creating a Georgian Fish and Caviar farm back in 2013. Team members actively began working on setting it up in 2016, and quickly took the business to the top. Today, that farm is currently the most valuable player in the Caucasian market. Leri Chichinadze, a St. Louis University graduate, is the farm's Chief Technology Offi cer. He has been with the organization for six months and the company is pleased to have him on board.

Currently, the farm is the largest producer of sturgeon caviar in the region. The fi shery is located on the western side of Georgia, in Kobuleti, and has a total area of about 4 hectares.

Georgian Fish and Caviar is built in the Black Sea basin, using Georgia's cleanest river, Kintrishi, as its source. The farm protects the environment and wildlife, saves endangered species, and produces high-quality products. This is precisely what distinguishes this startup from the majority of others: a big idea and a great mindset.

Malkhaz Shubalidze, the farm’s owner, says that the motivation for creating a unique fi shery originated from national and patriotic sentiments. This explains the idea behind it: to protect nature and save endangered species.

The most interesting part about the farm is its scientifi c importance. For the fi rst time in history, the farm is observing the Colchic sturgeon and is working hard to enrich the aquaculture by bringing it from the wild. Georgian Fish and Caviar is the fi rst and only company to produce local and clean fi sh species after the Soviet Union. Because the Colchis sturgeon is an important species of aquatic wildlife, creating an accurate habitat for it is critical. To date, the facility has successfully bred 600 specimens of Colchian sturgeon. This trial is an important scientifi c event because there is no single study or information on the subject prior to this.

The farm is located on the Kintrishi River, which is one of Georgia's cleanest rivers. Kintrishi water is also used to produce natural nutrients essential for the perfect caviar and healthy fi sh. Since the river provides nearly 18% of the natural food for the fi sh, workers can replenish the farm with nutrients. Furthermore, Georgian Fish and Caviar only use fi sh food made in Europe, such as Biomar, Skretting, and Coppens.

The farm has a wide variety of fi sh. However, the Siberian sturgeon accounts for 70% of the total. Of 20,000 fi sh, workers chose 3,000 of the best female fi sh to breed. Now, the farm has a unique chance to nurture and raise the purest, healthiest generation possible. The fi sh milking process is also very challenging and interesting. They have to move fi sh from cold water to warm water to make them feel as if they are in the summer. The fi sh are naturally ready to spawn once the water has been changed. They are fed a hormone derived from cobra brains to help them reproduce naturally. It should be noted that caviar extraction does not involve the killing of fi sh, and this is exactly what makes the farm special. Later, when they are ready to spawn, workers milk the fi sh carefully without damaging their organs, as keeping the little swimmers healthy is very important to the farm. The milking process is very exciting, as you realize that the breeding of the new generation is entirely in your hands.

The facility is currently focused on protecting nature and wildlife and producing high-quality products. Georgian Fish and Caviar is part of a nationwide initiative that has already resulted in the release of 15,000 trout into the wild. In addition, the farm aims to restore Colchis sturgeon populations in the Black Sea.

SOCIETY Global and Regional Challenges Top the Agenda of the UNDP Regional Director’s Visit to Georgia

UNDP reaffi rms support for Georgia’s sustainable, inclusive and climateresilient development.

UNDP reaffi rms its assistance to Georgia at a time of global challenges brought on by the pandemic, climate challenge and, most recently, the war in Ukraine. Mirjana Špoljaric Egger, UN Assistant Secretary-General (ASG), UNDP Assistant Administrator, and Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States, wrapped up her three-day visit to Georgia with a strong message of support and cooperation.

“This is a decisive time for the entire region. My message to Georgia’s leadership and people is that the United Nations Development Program is committed to supporting their country in key areas of national development,” Špoljaric Egger said.

On 7 and 8 April, ASG Špoljaric Egger met with Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and President Salome Zurabishvili. During her visit, Špoljaric Egger also met with Members of Parliament, ministers, civil society representatives, women entrepreneurs and representatives of embassies and international organizations.

While in the country, Špoljaric Egger checked on the progress of some of UNDP’s fl agship initiatives in Georgia, including complex support for programs to strengthen parliamentary democracy, achieve gender equality and build a climate-resilient society.

At the Parliament, together with Deputy Chairperson David Sergeenko ASG Špoljaric Egger joined over 100 schoolchildren from 50 public schools at a ‘My Parliamentary Adventure’ event. In partnership with the Parliament of Georgia and the European Union, UNDP assists schoolchildren to participate in a new educational initiative that provides an enjoyable way to learn about the roles, functions and history of the Georgian Parliament. The initiative also introduces tools and mechanisms that citizens can use to engage in parliamentary work.

Špoljaric Egger also visited Women Entrepreneurs’ Program participants to discuss gender equality and business development. Drawing on the partnership between UNDP, the Government of Sweden and the Bank of Georgia, this initiative helps women build on proven business development models to identify their best prospects and devise effective strategies to realize their business goals.

Georgia’s efforts to achieve climate resilience and green development were a signifi cant focus of the Regional Director’s visit. Together with Ambassador of Japan to Georgia Imamura Akira and Georgia’s Deouty Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Nino Tandilashvili, Špoljaric Egger launched a new initiative that will help Georgia sustainably manage its forests and promote green livelihoods. The program is part of the UNDP Climate Promise initiative, which scales up UNDP support to turn national climate pledges into concrete action in at least 100 countries.

“Georgia’s ambitious climate agenda will lead the country to better protect its rich nature and unique biodiversity, create sustainable livelihoods, explore advanced solutions for green growth and reduce the risks associated with climaterelated disasters,” Špoljaric Egger said. “UNDP fully supports this transformation and will assist Georgia’s strive for a climate-smart future.”

On 9 April, Špoljaric Egger travelled to the Kakheti region where UNDP, with funds from the Green Climate Fund and the governments of Georgia, Sweden and Switzerland, helps protect people and the economy from fl oods and other climate-induced disasters.

Source of image: Vladimir Valishvili/UNDP