About us

The Jara Beekeepers Association (JBA) was created under the umbrella of the Ajara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which has been the member of Georgian Beekeepers Union since 2019. The goal of the Jara Beekeepers Association is to strengthen, promote and protect the interests of its members, raise their awareness, provide essential information and assist in the bio certification and production process. All of this eventually ensures stable income for rural beekeepers.

The Jara honey promotion web-page www.jarahoney.com and catalogue were created on behalf of the JBA and are aimed at the promotion of both jara honey and jara beekeepers locally and internationaly. The association actively promotes Jara honey at both local festivals and international beekeeping exhibitions which has resulted in the significant increase in the demand for Jara honey.  As the demand for Jara honey increases, so its production becomes more attractive for both experienced and beginner beekeepers.

Goals

The goals of the Jara Beekeepers Association are:

• Collecting and sharing/representing information about traditional Gejuri beekeeping;
• Maintaining an up-to-date, database of Jara beekeepers;
• Bestowing the Jara quality assurance mark and inspecting and maintaining quality assurance production standards amongst its members;
• Providing consultations to members and potential clients and establishing linkages with them;
• Introducing requirements and procedures of Bio certification to its members, raising their awareness, sharing experience and monitoring the process of the certification;
• Representing and advocating for the interests of Jara beekeepers;
• Participating in local and international festivals, promoting Jara honey and establishing contacts;
• Analyzing the current developments/trends in honey sector and informing the association members about changes in legislation;
• Carrying out marketing activities to promote Jara honey.

Our responsibility

There are few places in the world where Gejuri beekeeping is still practiced. Beekeepers in Georgia use modern methods to make honey. However, mountainous Ajara was an exception. Some locals were continuing the difficult, but century-old tradition. Since 2018 when the JBA’s work commenced to preserve and promote this traditional type of beekeeping, linkages have been established between Jara beekeepers and interested buyers for this unique and high value honey and Jara honey is now being commercially harvested. As a result, Jara beekeepers have a stable income and production of Jara honey using traditional method is becoming increasingly attractive.