Silkworm Farming Trainings Continue in Western Georgia

In May 2026, the Georgian Silk Association (GSA) conducted a training for silkworm farmers in the village of Khidistavi, Chokhatauri Municipality, Guria. This followed an earlier training held in April at the sericulture laboratory of the Agricultural University of Georgia.

Around 45 participants, mainly women and schoolchildren, from seven villages and three public schools attended the training, which was organised within the framework of the Women’s Saturday School initiative founded by Nino Gudavadze. After relocating from Tbilisi to Chokhatauri with her three children, Gudavadze established a goat cheese enterprise, restored a traditional Oda house for tourism purposes, and created the informal learning space to support rural women and girls and contribute to local community development. The silk production training became the first activity hosted at the centre.

Following the training, six families and two public schools received silkworm eggs for rearing and raw silk production. Participants will later receive additional training in traditional silk processing techniques, including silk thread and silk paper making, delivered by craftspeople who are members of the GSA.

The ALCP2 programme supported the establishment of the Georgian Silk Association, which continues to play an important role in supporting rural silk producers through access to silkworms, production support, networking, market linkages, advocacy, and sector promotion.

The ALCP2 is implemented by Mercy Corps Georgia and funded by the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC), in cooperation with the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) and Sweden.