Association for Farmers Rights Defence (AFRD): making the most of agricultural residues
The Association for Farmers Rights Defence (AFRD) in Georgia is an NGO working on stimulating the growth of the agricultural sector and policy reform in Georgia’s transitional economy.
It is keen to help make Georgia's agricultural sector more circular. With this goal in mind, AFRD promotes the transformation of agricultural residues and agri-processing by-products into valuable resources. This reduces agricultural waste while creating environmental, economic and social benefits for farmers and rural communities.
AFRD works with different sources of agricultural biomass, including crop residues, pruning materials, livestock manure, and fruit and vegetable processing waste. These materials can be converted into biochar, compost, organic fertilisers, renewable energy, biodegradable products and other bio-based materials.
Agricultural and food-processing waste, including kiwi and other fruit residues, is used to develop biodegradable materials and bioplastics as sustainable alternatives to conventional plastic. At the same time, biomass residues can be used in biochar production to improve soil health, increase soil organic carbon and water retention, support land restoration, and contribute to climate change mitigation.
Through this approach, AFRD Georgia connects farmers, researchers, innovators, SMEs and local communities to develop circular value chains where agricultural “waste” becomes a valuable resource. This contributes to waste reduction, soil restoration, climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, sustainable production, and new income opportunities for farmers, supporting the transition toward a more sustainable and circular agricultural system in Georgia.
AFRD's approach:
- Reduces agricultural waste by recovering crop, fruit, vegetable, pruning and livestock residues.
- Develops circular solutions for converting agricultural residues into biochar, compost, organic fertilisers, bioproducts and biodegradable materials.
- Improves soil health and land restoration through the application of biochar and other organic amendments.
- Promotes biodegradable alternatives to conventional plastics, including exploration of materials derived from fruit and vegetable processing waste.
- Raises farmers' awareness and capacity with regard to sustainable residue management and circular agriculture.
- Creates opportunities for additional farmer income by turning low-value agricultural residues into marketable products.
- Enhances cooperation between farmers.