It all began with purchasing two cows in 2007, when the now-experienced farmer Nino Zambakhidze began her business project alongside partner and friend Beso Babunashvili. The two partners had submitted an application to the Millennium Challenge project and received 125,000 Dollars for their project. Nino then moved from Tbilisi to Akhaltsikhe and opened a farm.
The business proved successful. Mother of two kids, Nino is now Deputy Director of the Georgian Business Zone (GBZ) and CEO of the Georgian Farmers Association.
She currently has two main interests of work – agricultural soil and cow farming. The uncommon farmer woman is adept at breeding cows, making cheese and setting up apple orchards and other vegetation.
The Georgian Farmers Association - founded by her alongside like-minded people - works to support individuals involved with farms. Nino recently became Certified Manager of Harmless Product Export. She also serves as Director of British Petroleum programs in Akhaltsikhe, where the international energy giant issues grants for local business projects.
Nino was awarded the Woman Enterpreneur of the Year title at the first national business awards organized by the Economy Ministry and the Investment Agency in 2011. She is the first female leader in Georgia to represent ‘Invest for the Future’, the organization under the auspices of the former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Besides agriculture, Nino is involved in other business projects. She founded ‘Take Away’ coffee spots in 2005 and is now owner of a vast coffee and tea network, supplying restaurants with products.
Nino Zambakhidze spoke to Georgian News TV about her maiden steps in agricultural business and perspectives of Georgian agriculture.


By Sopo Beriashvili
Irakli Khvedelidze