SABUKO's 'Kakheti Steppes': Balancing a Living Landscape

SABUKO, or the Society for Nature Conservation, is tackling environmental challenges and promoting sustainable development in the Kakheti region of Georgia through its "Kakheti Steppes" project. This initiative focuses on revitalizing the Iori Plateau, an area facing threats from overgrazing and environmental degradation.

• The project goes beyond traditional conservation by aiming to create a harmonious relationship between nature and human activities.
• SABUKO aims to ensure the well-being of both the natural environment and the local communities who depend on it.

Addressing Overgrazing: Promoting Sustainable Sheep Farming

One of the main challenges faced by the Iori Plateau is unsustainable grazing practices, which degrade the land and hinder plant regeneration. To address this issue, SABUKO has implemented rotational grazing systems.

• Rotational grazing allows pastures to regenerate naturally by ensuring that grazing practices do not exceed the land's capacity to recover.
• This approach emphasizes the importance of sustainable land management and how conservation and agriculture can coexist for mutual benefit.

Branding Sheep Products for Sustainability and Local Economies

SABUKO recognized the opportunity to support local farmers by creating a brand for high-quality sheep products, particularly sheep milk cheese and wool. This initiative aims to provide farmers with a sustainable income while promoting products deeply rooted in the region's cultural heritage.

• The project, supported by the Arcadia Foundation, has been successful in branding sheep products for the local market.
• SABUKO, with the support of I'STUDIO, has developed a brand identity including a name, logo, and marketing campaign that showcases the tradition and quality of these products.

Enhancing Wool Production and Market Reach for Local Communities

In addition to sheep milk cheese, the project focuses on the production and branding of sheep's wool, particularly lamb's wool products, which are used to make clothing, socks, and felt. This initiative aims to expand the market reach for these traditional products.

• The project's goal is to provide farmers with new revenue streams, further enhancing their economic prospects and preserving the authenticity of local production.
• The initiative also helps maintain the cultural heritage and livelihoods of the local community by preserving traditional sheep farming practices and ensuring their economic viability.

Empowering Farmers Through Training and Market Access

SABUKO's project empowers farmers with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the sustainable sheep farming industry. Farmers receive training on various aspects of sustainable farming, product development, and market access.

• This support enables farmers to improve the quality of their products, manage their herds sustainably, and effectively market their goods.
• By preserving traditional sheep farming practices and ensuring their economic viability, the project safeguards the cultural heritage and livelihoods of the local community.

Raising Awareness and Celebrating Traditional Sheep Farming Practices

SABUKO, in collaboration with I'STUDIO and Wingman, is producing a film that will showcase the challenges and traditions of sheep farming on the Iori Plateau. This film will emphasize the importance of preserving the livelihoods of shepherds and their traditional practices.

• The film will feature the production process of Guda cheese and wool products, highlighting the cultural significance of these traditional practices.
• The project will culminate in a film presentation, accompanied by a photo exhibition and product tasting, allowing consumers to experience the quality of these products firsthand.

Creating a Unified Brand and Ensuring Quality Control for Georgian Cheese

A key feature of the project is the creation of a unified umbrella brand that brings together diverse farmers and their products, enhancing the brand's visibility and opening up export opportunities. To ensure consistent quality across all products, SABUKO is working closely with the Georgian Cheese Association and Dairy Association to provide local farmers with training on cheese production, ensuring high standards are maintained.

• This ensures that the high quality of traditional sheep milk cheese, such as Guda cheese, is maintained and promoted to a wider market.
• SABUKO's efforts in promoting Georgian cheese demonstrate the importance of supporting traditional food production and preserving cultural heritage.

Sustainability and Conservation: Protecting the Environment and Local Communities

SABUKO's initiative on the Iori Plateau exemplifies the potential of conservation efforts that simultaneously protect the environment and support local communities. By promoting sustainable sheep farming practices and branding high-quality, traditional products like Guda cheese and lamb's wool, the project helps preserve the natural landscapes of southeastern Georgia.

• This effort not only protects biodiversity but also reinforces the cultural and economic resilience of the local population, paving the way for a sustainable future that benefits both nature and the community.
• SABUKO's project highlights the interconnectedness of environmental conservation, economic development, and the preservation of cultural heritage.