Protection Society of Agrobiodiversity
 
 “Dika”
 
 
 
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The main objectives of the society “Dika” are to:                                                               

The main objectives of the project are to:

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“Dika” - Agrobiodiversity Protection Society of  Georgia
 
   The Agrobiodiversity Protection Society “Dika” was founded on April 24, 1998, by the Biological Farming Association “Elkana”, Dioceses of Khoni and Bodbe, Experimental Farm “Biome” and several scientists.  
  
 
 
The main objectives of the society “Dika” are to:
      preserve, recover and introduce endemic cultivated plant species and local varieties in agriculture (peasant farms) of Georgia;  
      propagate information on agrobiodiversity protection, conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources; 
      prepare personnel needed in the field of conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources.
   In order to implement these objectives the Society rely on experience obtained during the collaboration with the Biological Farming Association “Elkana” since 1996. For example, about 500 samples of local varieties and landraces were sown on plots of member farmers of “Elkana” within 1996-98. Some of these agrobiodiversity - wheat, barley, Italian millet, chick pea, lentil, farmers cultivate for self consumption, on their own (for example – hull-less barley in the villages Khodasheni Akhmeta region and Klde, Akhaltsikhe region; wheat, chick pea and lentil – in the village Ali, Khashuri region; Italian millet – in the village Likauri, Ozurgeti region). With support and blessings of Georgian Orthodox Church agricultural traditions are being revived in perish.  

   Nowadays the Society “Dika” is implementing the project: “Maintenance Revival of Georgia Agrobiodiversity”, which was financed by the German donor organization “Renovabis”.  
 
 
 

 
Main objectives of the project are to
      avoid extinction of local genetic resources; 
      show the economical potential for sustainable production of niche-products. For example: baking of a bread containing “makhobeli”; 
      show perspectives if those species and varieties that today are undeservedly forgotten. For example hull wheat, Italian millet, Hog millet, lentil, etc. 
      give a choice to organic farmers for such seed material which correspond their farms’ character; 
      take into account interests of some Diocese in revival of species of those grain-crops, that give products used during traditional Georgian and Religious rituals and festivities; 
      focus attention of society and government on the importance of conservation and utilization of local genetic resources, including local varieties of crops; 
      keep documented compact collections of endemic species and local varieties for a middle period (10-15 years), in order to protect them from extinction until our government is able to organize and run a gene-bank; 
      consult and assist farmers and peasants in production of niche-products, organization of exhibitions and sales; 
      prepare-sell a small packages of seed material of local varieties not only for farmers (peasants), but for all, who has small out-of –town plots, as well;
      organize mini-selective works together with peasants after taking harvest on their plots in order to improve local varieties; 
      contribute to legislation formation for protection and utilization of local varieties.
The Society “Dika” is governed by the board and the members’ congress.
 
 
 
 
Office:
 
Address:  Delisi III, nakveti 16
  380077, Tbilisi, Georgia
Tel:  + 995 32 328321
Fax:  + 995 32 536484
E-mail: dika@access.sanet.ge