“The success lies on the constant self-development and self-education process”

28 years old young woman runs the beekeeping cooperative in the remote area of Georgia, called Tsakla Municipality

Manana Bolkvadze, 28 years old young beekeeper, fled from Adjara region in late 1990ies. The avalanche that has taken away her family`s property and devastated the village, brought Manana to the title of eco-migrant as well as to  the will to transform herself into a strong, business oriented woman. Now she runs the Small Farmers Cooperative in Tsalka and invites young women to give them the chance for the better future.

Before establishing the cooperative, Manana has enrolled in the practical beekeeping course announced by the Agriculture Cooperative Development Agency under the Ministry of Agriculture.

`Non of the course is capable to give to anyone the comprehensive understanding of the certain field. I have subscribed the relevant books and magazines on the beekeeping innovative technologies. This is how I introduced to the cooperative the modern polystyrene bee hives.  These hives have a life span of over 30 years and can be easily cleaned and sterilised to ensure healthy bees. High density polystyrene is a proven, durable, recyclable and eminently suitable material for bee hives. This is the aim of our cooperative – to introduce  the technology for producing the bio product.

Recently Manana`s cooperative received the grant valued at GEL 1,750 from British Petrolium and 4,000 GEL grant from ACF. The farmers are also involved in the state governed project `Produce in Georgia` that supports the small holding farmers to increase the productivity and improve the business skills.

`For us the education is important`,- claims Manana,- `When we speak about the problem to modernize the sector, we have to keep in mind that without relevant capacity building we can`t go further`. Manana herself has completed the learning technique course for the accountants and basic legislation, also passed the training in the business plan writing and in management.

`I give my partners the opportunity to learn. Soon our new member of the cooperative will travel to Chine to pass the course in introduction to the new technologies for the Beekeepers. The course is financed by the Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia`

Another challenge in the sector is the proper branding and volume of production.

`We think now to enter the second level cooperatives ,which will give us the chance to increase the volume of our production. Next stage will be to improve the branding skills and plan our product marketing campaign.`

After the busy day , when Manana gets back to home, she takes care of her 2 little daughters and helps them to make the homework. Besides, Manana looks after the cattle at home.

`it is quite challenging to scope with all the tasks I have on the daily basis. But the life is like a business, if you plan your time properly, then everything will be much more easier to implement`

Young beekeeper is the teacher at the public school in Tsalka Municipality. She gives the lessons of the Geography and Civil education as well as the World Culture.

`My intension if to run the courses of the beekeeping inside the school premises and for the those who want to stay in the countryside. This is how I want to contribute to the vocational education. For successful young people I have the vacancy in the cooperative`.

Best of the luck, Manana!