The Road – a beautifully shot documentary capturing the reality and dichotomies of the people who use the ancient transhumance route; the lifeline of livestock in Georgia
The Eco Films LTD film The Road premiered on April 4, 2014 in the assembly hall of Tbilisi State University. The film commissioned by Alliances Kvemo Kartli - a Swiss Development and Cooperation Agency project implemented by Mercy Corps Georgia - depicts the transhumance route from the Kakheti winter pastures to Samtskhe-Javakheti summer highland pastures through Kvemo Kartli region. The documentary shows the traditional cultural context of Georgian sheep farming following one sheep farmer, shepherds and herds along the route it shows the socio-economic importance of this seasonal movement of sheep and its realities and problems within the context of modern Georgia whilst showcasing the diversified nature and beautiful landscape of Georgia.
Creating a film on shepherds’ lives in Georgia is timely as development of agriculture was declared to be the priority of the Georgian Government this year. The film contains important messages for people who are interested to support the growth of sheep farming in Georgia.
“The Georgian regional and central governments are actively involved in regulation of Animal Movement Route’s infrastructure. This film will serve to enhance interest on this issue and I hope the tough life of shepherds, which is shown in the film, will be improved very soon,” – stated the Governor of Kvemo Kartli Region George Mgebrishvili after the premiere.
Almost 200 people attended ‘The Road’ premiere which triggered great interest among people from various fields: film industry, agriculture development, government, educational field and etc.
“The film is very realistic and truthful. I had the feeling that I was there too. It shows all the problems and at the same time is beautiful. We would like to show this film to our students and are also ready to finance our 4th grade students’ study practice in nomadic sheep farming this summer,” – said Teo Urushadze, the Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural and Natural Sciences of Georgian Agrarian University.
The new documentary was highly appreciated by the audience and Eco Films intend to promote their film, on National and International levels. The screening of The Road is already planned in the Georgian Parliament in Kutaisi initiated and supported by the Head of the Agrarian Committee Mr. Gigla Agulashvili.
The Ministry of Agriculture through the National Food Agency has posted details of the construction of the six Bio Security Points on the Animal Movement Route, the construction of two of which have started this month.
Minister of Agriculture Otar Danelia stated.
“It is very important that concrete steps toward the development of the livestock sector have been taken. Rehabilitation and modernization of the Animal Movement Route has started. Building modern standard Bio Security Points will promote animal health protection and will reduce the spread of animal disease” – he said.
Locals, interested parties including the Minister of Agriculture of Ajara and tourists, in the height of the Batumi summer run enjoyed a new addition to the summer time calendar of events with the first Ajara Honey Festival on August 22nd on Batumi Boulevard. The festival was organized by The Beekeepers Association of Ajara, an entity belonging to the Ajara Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Ajara is a major producer of honey in Georgia and the programme has completed a sector survey and commenced numerous interventions. The festival was a first step in promoting Ajara as a producer of high quality honey and developing a cohesive image of honey production in the region. Beekeeping in Ajara has been practiced for centuries and still includes the capturing of wild swarms and cultivating of honey in logs known as ‘Jara’.
The National Food Agency representatives met with entrepreneurs of honey and meat sectors in Kvemo Kartli and Ajara regions in July. The aim of the meetings was to inform local producers on the regulations and required standards for the quality production of meat and honey products in accordance with FS&H standards.
Food Safety and Hygiene in the Agrarian Market of Batumi was the main topic of the ALCP AJ Advisory Committee’s second meeting in Ajara region. The discussion concerned the incompliance of existing situation in Market with FS&H standards and possible risks derived from the meat and dairy products purchased there. Due to the importance and complexity of the issue, key market stakeholders such as representatives of Ajara Government, NFA and Agrarian Market participated in the meeting.
“Women in Georgia – Tradition and Contemporaneity” is a short documentary film prepared by ‘Netgazeti’ (online newspaper) about women living in Ghordjomi Community (Khulo Municipality, Ajara). Ghordjomi is one of the largest Muslim communities in Ajara and is known for its early marriage traditions, and other strict rules and attitudes towards women. The film describes the harsh daily routine of the women starting from 6 am in the morning with taking care of the cattle, children, household and the restrictions they face in daily life.
The ALCP AJ programme’s Focus Group Survey and Gender Analysis captured these issues and also noted the consequent effect on the participation of women in the decision-making processes at the community and local governmental levels which is chronically low.
The first meeting of the Regional DRR Working Group was carried out at the KK Governor Office.
The Governor of Kvemo Kartli - Paata Khizanashvili encouraged decision makers from all municipalities of the region to pay more attention on issues linked with Animal Disease Control, Pasture Usage and Disaster Risk Reduction. He noted that the municipal leaders should understand these are the issues of high importance and the new municipal working groups should have strong communication with the Governor’s office and with other municipalities of Kvemo Kartli.
By now, all seven municipalities of Kvemo Kartlli have DRR working groups coordinated by the regional government.
