"The village is facing tough challenges and we are working to address them," EU Ambassador Carl Hartzell said during a visit to KERKI Dried Fruit Enterprise, in Ajara, Georgia.
The Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, Mr. Carl Hartzell paid an official visit to Keda Municipality of Ajara to see the results and achievement of the four-year work of the EU supported ENPARD project 'Keda LEADER'. The EU Ambassador got acquainted with the ongoing test mode work process at a Dried Fruit Enterprise in Keda Municipality, tried out several types of dried products and involved in Churchkela making process (Churchkhela is a traditional, well-known Georgian cuisine candle-shaped candy) ➠ Photos of the day.
Kerki was launched in 2021 and produces dried fruits, tklapi (a dried and fattened fruit porridge), candied fruits - tsukati, churchkhela, and walnut products in test mode. Biomass will be one of the primary sources of energy for the fruit drying processes. Through Keda LEADER, the enterprise was renovated and the building was prepared for production and equipped with all the necessary inventory.
New brand of dried fruit "Kerki" will appear on the market in late 2021.
The enterprise currently employs 25 people at the testing stage, and at least 35 will be employed after starting of the full production process.
KERKI is owned by the Management Company GGM and is situated in the village of Dzentsmani, Keda Municipality, Ajara Region, Georgia.
The total investment is $ 700,000.
The project is supported by donor and partner organizations:
European Union (ENPARD / Keda Leader);
Rural Development Agency (RDA);
Ministry of Agriculture of Ajara, Agroservice Center;
USAID Agriculture Program (CNFA Georgia);
JSC TBC Bank
