Prospects for sheep breeding in Georgia

Sheep breeding is a traditional sphere of Georgia’s agriculture, but today it is not supported by the state and is in crisis. However if wisely managed this agricultural sector has serious potential.

Economic expert Teimuraz Paichadze thinks that through analyzing past figures we can achieve some serious results. In the Soviet period there were around two million sheep and goats in Georgia in winter. In summer this number doubled. In 2007 there are only around 800,000 sheep and goats registered in Georgia, however the country has the potential to breed around 1.5 million.

The state should invest in processing enterprises, which would produce wool and appropriate materials, Paichadze thinks. During the Soviet period there was a network of such enterprises producing wool. Artisans could also reestablish themselves and increase in number if there is appropriate state support.