“Farm Oda” is planted on 5 ha and produces up to 40 types of seasonal vegetables. The company is the first to introduce the American farm model CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) in Georgia.
According to the founder of Ferma Odashi, Salome Kalandadze, the idea of creating a farm arose during the pandemic. The farm has received a grant for co-financing of agricultural machinery from the Rural Development Agency and is also using the low-cost agro-credit program.
“The idea of creating a farm arose during the pandemic, when we moved to the village for a month and a half, if we were not locked in an apartment in Tbilisi. During this period, we really liked it all and decided to move out. We have been preparing for this for 1 year, both in terms of knowledge and financially.
There are quite a lot of people invested in the activity, but so far it doesn’t seem like it. Agriculture is a longer-term project and the capital invested is often not clearly visible. In addition, for 4 years, the full profit of the farm is used again for its development.
As for grants, we have obtained a grant for co-financing of agricultural machinery from the Rural Development Agency, and we also use the cheap agro-credit program, within the framework of which the state helps us in the part of loan security and loan interest co-financing.
“Farm Oda” is planted on 5 ha and produces up to 40 types of seasonal vegetables.
The farm is currently cultivated on 5 ha. We bring about 40 types of seasonal vegetables. The list includes well-known vegetables such as: potatoes, carrots, onions, radishes, beets, cabbages, lettuce leaves, greens, and we also try to offer our customers innovations and provide such vegetables as: kale, arugula, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts, Romanesco , pak choi, mangold, stevia and many plants that are not familiar to us.
According to the farmer, “Farm Oda” is the first Georgian farm where the American farm model CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) was introduced.
“We are the first Georgian farmers who introduced the American farm model CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) in Georgia. This method connects the local farmer and the end user with each other. These aren’t just one-off sales. We know who our customer is, and the customer knows who we are and why he buys from us.
Before the season starts, we sell the entire crop. Our customers support us financially so that we can grow healthy, interesting and delicious vegetables for them. Once we sell a certain number of packages containing 8-12 types of seasonal vegetables for 22 weeks (10 kg or 5 kg boxes containing 8-12 types of seasonal vegetables, whichever comes in at the time)
There has also been a great demand from parents, they are looking for healthy vegetables for their little ones, and right now we are creating a children’s box, where a variety of vegetables useful for them will be collected.”
As Salome Kalandadze points out, since there is a large outflow of labor from the village to abroad, it is very difficult to find and maintain staff.
“Given that there is a large outflow of labor from the countryside to foreign countries, it is very difficult to find and maintain staff. This turned out to be a very big problem for us and we solved it as follows. We registered on the international site, which is a very large base of employers and volunteers, and now our employees from different countries of the world come to work with us, share experience and culture. We also meet with Georgian hospitality and share our knowledge and experience”.
Farm Oda plans to build wooden cottages and develop agro-tourism in the future.
“In the area where we have a farm, there is a lake and a wonderful view of the Caucasus. In the future, we intend to build wooden cottages and give customers a unique opportunity to participate in agro-work at will and at the end of the day enjoy food harvested and prepared by their own hands.”
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