სოფლის მეურნეობიდან სოფლის განვითარებამდე: ადგილობრივი მოსახლეობა ეკონომიკური ტრანსფორმაციის ცენტრში

Within the scientific project "From Agricultural to Rural Development: Local People in the Center of Economic Transition," the study examined the transformation of household-based economic activities against the backdrop of shifting rural development policies and the growing adoption of participatory approaches. The research was conducted in the Adjara region and employed a Transformative Mixed Methods Research Design, integrating quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Qualitative data analysis was carried out using MAXQDA software, enabling hybrid coding alongside spatial analysis and visualization.

The findings revealed that agricultural land fragmentation in Georgia remains a systemic challenge, particularly for smallholder farmers. In response, a notable shift toward the cultivation of higher-value and more profitable crops has been observed among local farming communities. To further diversify livelihoods, farmers have increasingly engaged in ecotourism, agrotourism, and related activities. The study also demonstrated that economic support programmes in Khulo municipality have contributed to broadening the local economy, stimulating the development of new products and services, and reducing rural-to-urban migration.

Overall, the research underscores the vital role of participatory governance in facilitating economic transformation, particularly in high-mountain settlements, where such approaches prove instrumental in supporting information dissemination, skills development, access to finance, and inclusive decision-making.