13 April 2013, 14:00
In Georgia, peasants affected by the disaster will receive vouchers for pesticides
As stated David Kervalidze, the Minister of Agriculture of Georgia, the peasants who suffered from hail on April 10 will receive – as the first-order help – vouchers for pesticides. Within a week, it is planned to define the extent of damage.
In four villages of the Telavi District of Georgia, a strong hailstorm destroyed fruit trees, mostly peach ones. Grapes were also significantly damaged.
"We'll help the affected people. Vouchers will be distributed, on which villagers will be able to get copper-containing preparations and appropriate medications to treat their trees," said David Kervalidze on April 11 during his visit to the affected villages of the Telavi District of Kakheti.
Peasants need pesticides to prevent insect ands diseases from damaging fruit trees.
"The hail didn't kill the trees completely – in 2-3 years they will be able to fruit again. But if we leave them unattended, they may not recover in a few years," Salome Kakhishvili, a woman from the Telavi District, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
According to the National Statistics Agency, the cultivation of fruits, nuts and spices brought in 2012 the revenues of 409 million laris (about 250 million US dollars), which makes 1.04 percent of the total Georgia's economic incomes.
Author: Beslan Kmuzov Source: CK correspondent
