Tornike Turmanidze leads IOTO Agro’s agronomy team

IOTO Agro entered the Georgian market a few months ago with ambitious goals. Today, Tornike Turmanidze, head of its agronomy team, talks to us about those goals and the company’s work.

First, let’s introduce the company to our readers. What is IOTO Agro, and what is its purpose?

Put simply, IOTO Agro is an agricultural services company built on knowledge and modern technology. Our team provides agricultural services and products to farmers running agricultural businesses.

We support Georgian farmers at every stage of orchard management, advising on plant training, nutrition, crop protection, soil cultivation, irrigation and agronomic practices. We also supply products suited to each programme, monitor their use and provide related recommendations throughout the year.

In essence, IOTO Agro gives farmers the knowledge, professional services and agricultural products they need for larger, higher-quality harvests.

Why was IOTO Agro founded?

We Georgians like to say that ours is a country with a strong agricultural tradition, and that is true. Yet reliable information and expertise remain scarce in the Georgian market. We see agricultural businesses losing money because of poor orchard management, farmers choosing unsuitable products and application rates, and newcomers who own land but do not know where to start and give up after a disappointing first harvest.

Limited access to information also encourages reliance on traditional methods, which often prevent growers from achieving the best possible yields. That is why IOTO Agro focuses on adapting European innovations to Georgian agribusiness. We want more farmers in Georgia to use modern approaches, supported by accurate, verified information about crop production.

We want to help farmers develop their businesses, strengthen their knowledge and make agricultural enterprise more attractive across the country.

How do you envisage making agricultural enterprise more attractive in Georgia?

As I mentioned, IOTO Agro provides agronomic services based on knowledge and modern technology. Our first priority is to establish sound overall orchard-care plans and help Georgian farmers understand their importance. We believe that farmers who use our advisory service will be able to develop their agribusinesses effectively because we support them at every stage.

There is a shortage of qualified agronomists in the market. We address that need through a qualified team with crop-specific expertise. This can give more people the confidence to invest in agribusiness as a source of stable income.

You mentioned your agronomists. Could you tell us more about the team, its specialisms and how it works?

Our team consists of 10 agronomists, each specialising in a particular crop. For example, we have specialists in hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and fruit trees. Each team brings together a lead agronomist, an assistant agronomist and a plant nutrition specialist. We approach every farm professionally and have diversified the team’s skills to work more effectively.

Finally, what specific services and innovations does IOTO Agro offer its customers?

We offer comprehensive agronomic services, beginning with an individual, in-depth analysis of each farm to improve yields. We advise on general management, including plant training, irrigation, agronomic practices and soil cultivation; prepare nutrition and crop-protection programmes for the growing season; supply the appropriate products; and monitor their effective use. We also monitor pest and disease pressure throughout the season and update programmes whenever necessary.

Efficient working is a priority for us and our customers. We have therefore created an internal management platform that digitally records orchard operations, helping us keep every agronomic process organised and effective.

IOTO Agro also arranges soil and leaf testing at laboratories across Europe. This includes analysis of soil texture and chemical composition, as well as testing of leaves, shoots and fruit.

Whether you are already farming or planning to invest in agribusiness, the IOTO Agro team can be your knowledgeable, experienced partner.

IOTO — For a thriving agribusiness