Academician Revaz Makharoblidze - 85
Eminent scientist and public figure, Academician - Secretary of Agro-engineering Scientific Department of Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, turned 85 years old, in August 22,2021, and 60 –year of its pedagogical work.
Academician R. Makharablidze has played an outstanding role in developing agro-engineering as a field of science in Georgia. He has published 415 scientific works, among them 23 monographs, 4 text-books, 4 recommendations. He is also the author of 71 inventions. His pedagogical activities have been also outstanding, under his supervision, 44 scientific dissertations have been prepared and defended, among them 9 doctoral dissertations. He actively participates in international conferences and his presentations always raise interest among the specialists.
Academician Makharoblidze has been awarded many times, he owns medals, “Inventor of USSR’, “Medal of Honors”, in 2006 was awarded a silver medal for the best scientist of the year. He is a Lauriat of Georgian State Premium in Science and Technologies.
He continues his successful work in agro-engineering, in particular, carries out a research in mechanization of technological processes in Agriculture and its implementation; and he is actively involved in raising new generation of engineers.
Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, its presidium and the staff congratulations Academician with his Jubilee and wishes a long, healthy life and a many-year fruitful scientific and pedagogical work.
Meeting dedicated to agrarian innovations
On July 14, a meeting which discussed innovations in Agrarian sector was held. Lasha Avaliani, a Technical Director of the project, made a presentation around the Project financed by US Agrarian Department.
The presenter mentioned that the project sponsored by USDA “ Investment in safe and quality horticulture”, which is carried out by Land O’Lakes Venture 37 with partnership of Georgian Farmers’ Association. At this stage, he is working on the development of information-educational materials and videos, which are designed for livestock, for farmers, dairy and meat processors, services; Also for suppliers, for HoReCa sector and for the end users. They are gradually printed and distributed to the National Food Agency, Rural Development Agency, State Laboratory of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture of Adjara, associations, service providers, etc. The abridged version is also uploaded to the mobile app in Agronavt.ge. Animated instructional videos have been created which disseminated some of the topics.
To date, information-educational materials have been developed which addressed different topics, such as, “The guide to the "What-Easy" program for calculating the ration (ration) of food for the cattle.”
The following persons took part in the discussions: Vice-President of the Academy, Academician Givi Japaridze, Academician-Secretary of GAAS, Academician Elguja Shapakidze, Academician Alexander Didebulidze, Expert Gocha Tsopurashvili, Omar Kacharava, Adviser to the Minister of Environment and Agriculture, Professors Otar Karchava and Alexi Noniadze, Zurab Loladze,
Shota Macharashvili, editor of the magazine "New Agrarian Georgia”, who highlighted the significance for our country’s economic development. Information material developed by a project was funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and its importance for farmers and agricultural specialists is significant.
DEPARTMENT SESSIONS
Meeting of Economic Scientific department of Economy Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences
A session of Scientific Department of Economics was scheduled for July 23, 2021 with the following agenda:
1. Information of Academician Paata Koguashvili about the Innovative approaches in agriculture 2020.
Current problems
Attendance of trainings, conferences and seminars by the resolution of the Government of Georgia from July 19, 2021
Only based on pre-PCR testing will be available.
A report to be discussed at the meeting of the Scientific Department of Economics due to the current situation
The e-version is presented to the general public as a link to the Academy website.
Session of Agronomy Scientific-Department
According to the 2021 work plan of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, July 22, 2021 was planned.
Agronomy Scientific Examination Session was held following the agenda:
1. Report of the Academy Scholar, Doctor of Chemistry Giorgi Kvartskhava in the first half of 2021
On conducted scientific activities;
2. Ecological aspects of soil protection.
Speaker: Dr. Revaz Lolishvili,
3. Current issues.
Attendance of trainings, conferences and seminars by the resolution of the Government of Georgia from July 19, 2021, only based on pre-PCR testing will be available.
Due to the current pandemic situation, A report to be discussed at the meeting of the Scientific Department of Economics only an electronic version is presented to the general public as a link to the Academy website.
Session of Environment and Forestry Scientific-Department, GAAS
According to the 2021 work plan of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, July 20, 2021 was planned with the following Agenda:
1. Risks of development of erosive processes and Forest reclamation measures in the Tskneti-Kojori area of the Tbilisi suburbs and their prevention.
Reporter: Academician Giorgi Gagoshidze, Deputy Academician-Secretary of the Scientific Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry, Lasha Dolidze, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences.
Attendance of trainings, conferences and seminars by the resolution of the Government of Georgia from July 19, 2021Only based on pre-PCR testing will be available.
Due to the current pandemic situation, a report to be discussed at the meeting of the Scientific Department of Environment and Forestry Scientific-Department, will be presented only in an electronic version on website of the Academy to the general public.
Academician Omar Keshelashvili - 80
Omar Keshelashvili, Doctor of Economics, Professor, Academician of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, who turned 80 on July 9, 2021 and 55 years of scientific-pedagogical activity, occupies a prominent place among Georgian scientists.
After graduating from the faculty of the Economics, Georgian Institute of Agriculture, he started his career at the Research Institute of Agricultural Economics and Organization, where he worked during many years - from a researcher to a director. He was a Director of the Scientific-Research Institute of Economy and Management of Georgian Agro-Industrial Complex and the Chairman of the Scientific Council, the Scientific Director of the Institute. He is currently at the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Academician-Secretary of the Scientific Department of Economics and of the same Academy, and a Member of the Presidium, Head of the Training Center for Farmers and Specialists, and a Head of Agro Publishing House and Editor-in-Chief of the Academy magazine "Moambe".
Academician of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Omar Keshelashvili, is a member of the New York Academy of Sciences, he is also an Academician of the Academies of Economics, Business and Ecology.
Academician Keshelashvili has published many papers, including 53 monographs, 9 textbooks, 136 brochures, 27 miniature popular books, 5 field-themed atlases, out of them, 33 was published abroad. In addition, he has published 275 newspaper scientific-journalistic works. He was awarded the Order of Merit for his great personal contribution to the development of agrarian science, fruitful scientific and public activity;
In 2013 he was awarded the title of the best scientist of the year in the field of agriculture in the field of economics.
The Presidium and the entire staff of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences congratulate Mr. Omar on his anniversary dates and wish him long life, health and new success.
Session of the Scientific Council of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences
On July 2, 2021, a meeting of the Academic Council of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences was held (Protocol 4). The session was attended by: Acad. J. Gugushvili, Acad. J. Katsitadze, Acad. R. Asatiani, Zh. Editor of "New Agrarian Georgia" Sh. Macharashvili, Prof. M. Kereselidze, Dr. Meur. G. Gogol, village doctor Meur. E. Kalandia, J. Sadaghashvili, Vet. N. Omarashvili, Vet. Dr. T. Markhvashvili, Vet. Dr. L. Tatrishvili, B. Siniuk, M. Kotetishvili.
The report of the Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor Giuli Gogol "Georgian Animal Husbandry: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow" was heard at the sitting.
The reporter was asked questions and in a discussion held round the scientific report the following specialists took part: Acad. R. Asatiani, Acad. J. Gugushvili, Vet. Doctor T. Markhvashvili, Doctor E. Kalandia. Interesting Opinions were expressed by: Acad. J. Gugushvili, Prof. M. Kereselidze, Dr. Meur. E. Kalandia, Vet.Dr. T. Markhvashvili.
The meeting of the Scientific Council decided:
Prof. G. Gogol's information on the topic: "Georgian Animal Husbandry, Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow" should be taken as a reference.
Session of the Presidium of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences
On June 25, 2021, the meeting of the Presidium of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences was held, chaired by the Vice-President of the Academy, Acad. Givi Japaridze;
The participants of the session of the Presidium listened to the report of Zurab Tskitishvili, Academician-Secretary of the Food Safety and Food Technology Department of the Academy: "On a Systemic Approach to Risk Assessment".
The speaker noted that since December 2019, at the initiative of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, some procedures have been developed in the country to ensure a modern and systematic approach to the “starting point” of risk assessment, which has been approved by the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia (Protocol # 16 of December 11, 2019); Which have laid the groundwork for the systematic implementation of risk assessment processes.
The opinion was expressed on this issue by Acad. J. Gugushvili, N. Chkhartishvili, G. Japaridze, who liked the idea and the work done personally by the Acad. Z. Tskitishvili and his team.
The issue was heard at the sitting of the Presidium about the scientific-research work carried out by the Faculty of Agriculture of Tsereteli State University in 2020.
Speakers: Rector of Kutaisi Ak. Tsereteli State University, Academician, Roland Kopaliani; and Dean of the Faculty of Agrarian Prof. Ketevan Kintsurashvili.
Questions were asked around the report (Academicians J. Gugushvili, E. Shapakidze, G. Margvelashvili, R. Makharoblidze), which were mainly related to the current scientific-research activities carried out at the Kutaisi State University Agrarian Faculty.
The academics expressed their opinion on the issue: Margvelashvili, Z. Tskitishvili, R. Makharoblidze, E., Shapakidze, J. Gugushvili and G. Japaridze.
The presented report deserved high evaluation from the participants, and it is advisable to continue this activity of the Academy in relation to other higher education institutions of Georgia, in which agrarian profile faculties or departments function.
The Presidium of the Academy heard information about the scientific research activities carried out in 2020 by the Adjara Scientific-Research Center of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Speaker: Academician Zaur Putkaradze, Head of the Adjara Scientific-Research Center of the Academy.
Around scientific-research activities conducted in 2020 which was presented by Putkaradze, Academics G. Margvelashvili, J. Gugushvili, R. Makharoblidze, N. Chkhartishvili, E. Shapakidze, Z. Tskitishvili and G. Japaridze asked the questions to the presenter, and then gave their evaluation. It is welcomed that the real members of the Academy are actively involved in the scientific-research activities of the Center, which imposes more responsibilities on the activities of the Center.
At the meeting of the Presidium, Acad. G. Japaridze proposed the establishment of a commission to develop programs for the development and modernization of agricultural reclamation in Georgia, in which besides real academicians, also field specialists will take part.
Revaz Asatiani, Academician of the SSMM Academy - Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Georgian Amelioration Ltd. was asked to submit proposals on the composition of the Commission.
Round Table at Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences
A Round Table meeting with the participation of the members of Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the Union of Oenologists of Georgia was held on June 21, 2021, at 2 pm in the conference hall of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
Participants in the work of the round table were: Academicians of Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences: Givi Japaridze (Vice-President of the Academy), N. Chitanava, E. Shapakidze, N. Chkhartishvili, I. Vasadze, A. Didebulidze, G. Papunidze, Doctors A. Giorgadze, M. Barvenashvili, R. Lolishvili, Leading Specialists d. Tarkhnishvili, L. Chaika, M. Mosashvili;
Members of the Union of Oenologists of Georgia - Murman Kuridze (Chairman of the Union), Zhora Gabrichidze, Ruslan Gvaramadze, Teimuraz Gonjilashvili, Giorgi Dakishvili, Deputy Director of the Wine Agency of Georgia Zurab Vacharadze, Agricultural Research Center, E. Chichua, elene Salia, Maia Mirvelashvili, Tekla Zaalishvili, Iveri Akhalbedashvili, Chief of Staff of the Committee on Agrarian Issues of the Parliament of Georgia, Shota Macharashvili, Editor-in-Chief of the magazine "New Agrarian Georgia".
Vice-President of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Academician Givi Japaridze, who mentioned the significance of the Meeting and the opinions expressed by the participants directed towards development of Georgian Winemaking, its problems and solutions.
Murman Kuridze, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Chairman of the Union of Oenologists of Georgia, made a speech at the round table: "Improving the production of wine and spirits and improving the quality of products", which aroused great interest of the attending public.
Several questions were asked about the report, which mainly dealt with Georgian wine production technologies, exports, improvement of the work of small and medium companies, the role of Georgian science in presenting Georgian wine on the world arena, etc.
Reports were made at the round table: "On the sale of locally produced products" - Speaker Giorgi Dakishvili (member of the Union of Oenologists of Georgia, winemaker); "On Endemic Yeast" - Reporter Elene Salia; "On Organic Wine Production" - Presenter Maia Mirvelashvili.
Nearly all participants of the Round table expressed their opinion in regards to the presentations made at the session.
The participants of the round table adopted the relevant resolutions, which will be sent to the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia and other addressees.
At the meeting, it was considered to ask the leadership of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences to let the representatives of Georgian Oenologists Union attend the sessions which will report on Georgian winemaking at the General Assembly of the Academy, and the Presidium of the Academy.
Session of the Commission on Agrarian Innovations
On June 16, 2021, at the Academy was held a Session of the Innovation Commission, at which the report: “Shepherding Development Perspectives in Georgia” was presented by a Beka Gonashvili, a farmer and the same time, the head of the Georgian Shepherds Association. The speaker noted that the development of the sheep breeding sector was negatively affected by the events of the 1990s, when the cooperation between practicing farmers and specialists in the field was broken.
Farmers thought they knew everything, did not need specialists - breeders, veterinarians, technologists, etc., moreover, they were confident that everything was well managed.
Shepherds today are well paid for their work. Today, the shepherding needs to become more business-oriented; To achieve this goal, it is vital to implement new technologies and adapt with the Georgian reality and market demands. It is also necessary to introduce other, more efficient sheep varieties, though, it is impossible to support the spread of any variety in the country without prior study.
Increase of Export of live lamb and mutton should be considered a positive trend, but for the development of our shepherding it is important to extend the network of diversified foreign markets, because the local market is small. Unfortunately, the issue of selling our sheep wool remains an unsolved problem, for which there is no demand in general, and which has also many other determinants. The main demand in the world is for Merino sheep wool. Academicians Nodar Chitanava, Tengiz Kurashvili, Elguja Gugushvili, Alexander Didebulidze, expert Gocha Tsopurashvili, Professor Omar Tedoradze, Professor Giuli Gogol, Dr. Lasha Avaliani presented their opinion and supported Beka Gonashvili’s point of view regarding development and marketing of Georgian sheep, wool and meat.
Seminar at the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences on the topic: "Transformation of degraded lands into healthy lands".
On June 17, 2021, in the conference hall of Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the Scientific Department of Agronomy held a seminar dedicated to the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. The seminar was held under the motto: "Transformation of degraded lands into healthy lands".
The seminar was attended by: Academician-Secretary of the Scientific Department of Agronomy, Academician Gogola Margvelashvili, Academicians: Nugzar Baghaturia, Yuza Vasadze, Zaur Chankseliani, Nodar Chkhartishvili, Academic Secretaries of the Scientific Departments, Doctors, Marina Barvenashvili and Revaz Lolishvili.
The seminar was opened by Academician-Secretary Gogola Margvelashvili, who informed the audience about the decisions of the UN General Assembly, according to which, international organizations and their member states should protect the environment from this negative events and fund the necessary prevention programs.
Afterwards, the following speakers at the seminar: Academician Gogola Margvelashvili and Dr. Revaz Lolishvili – spoke about "International Day against Drought and Desertification - June 17".
The topics of their presentation were: 1. "Transformation of degraded lands into healthy lands" and 2. "Impact of climate change on the increase of saline soils in Eastern Georgia, deterioration of physico-chemical properties and biological activity." Academician Gogola Margvelashvili noted in her report that a quarter of the Earth's land area is in danger of turning into deserts. A 1/6 of the world's population lives in desert conditions. Some people think that the desert is nothing interesting, but because of its unique features it attracts many travelers or adventure lovers.
The speaker - Dr. Revaz Lolishvili in his report focused on the conditions under which desertification takes place. He mentioned that desertification is the degradation of land in sub-humid and arid areas caused by various factors, including climate change and human activities. He spoke about the main reasons of land desertification and degradation. Desertification of ecosystems is a very sensitive subject to. They occupy vast areas, and including dry lands it constitutes one third of the land.
The solution to the current situation is mitigation of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions which is possible by photosynthesis.
Academicians Nodar Chkhartishvili, Yuza Vasadze and Nugzar Baghaturia expressed their opinion on the urgency of the presented issues and the importance of the seminar topic.
The speakers unanimously noted that the restoration of degraded lands will ensure the sustainability of the country’s economy, create new jobs, and increase the incomes of the population, food safety and security. This, in turn, helps to restore biodiversity.
June 17 - World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
In 2021, Desertification and Drought Day, which is celebrated on June 17, is dedicated to the theme - "Transformation of degraded lands into healthy lands."
Restoration of the degraded lands supports sustainable development of economy, increase population incomes, food security and safety. This in turn helps to restore biodiversity. Atmospheric carbon sequestration will help slow the process of climate change, mitigate climate change, and end the COVID-19 pandemic, which may be the beginning of a "green" recovery.
Restoring 350 million hectares of degraded ecosystems by 2030 will ensure the removal of up to 26 giga-tonnes of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
The UN Ecosystem Restoration Decade, which begins this year, provides an opportunity to step up efforts around the world to prevent ecosystem loss and degradation.
Project On Amendments to Article 161 of the Law of Georgia on the Georgian National Academy of Sciences
June, 2021 The project On Amendments to Article 161 of the Law of Georgia on the Georgian National Academy of Sciences, can be viewed on the website of GAAS.
Scientific Session at the Academy
On June 2, 2021, a Scientific Session at the Academy of Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences was held which was chaired by Acad. N, Karkashadze, Deputy head Acad. J. Gugushvili. The meeting was attended by: Acad. T. Kurashvili, Acad. A. Didebulidze, Acad. G. Gagoshidze, Prof. M. Kereselidze, L. Baliashvili, Dr. Meur. G. Gogol, Vet. Dr. N. Zazashvili, Veterinary Doctor M. Natidze, Veterinary Doctor J. Nachkebia, Dr. J. Sadaghashvili, Vet. Dr. N. Omarashvili, Vet. Dr. V. Kvachrelishvili, Dr. J. Kitiashvili, Dr. Agr. N. Dekanoidze, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences L. Avaliani,. G. Bochorishvili, Vet. L. Tatrishvili, and Vet. A. Kurashvili.
Invited guests: Nikoloz Burduli - from Tbilisi City Hall; Nodar Popkhadze, Zurab Kakulia,
Marine Mardashova - from Georgian Technical University.
On the issue provided by the meeting agenda “Landslide processes developed in the vicinity of Udzo mountain near Tbilisi, and some prevention measures”, was delivered by Acad. Giorgi Gagoshidze.
Lasha Avaliani, Doctor of Agrarian Sciences, General Director of the project "Investing in Safe and Quality Livestock" made a presentation to the Council on the second issue of the agenda.
The attendees expressed their opinion around the reports. L.Baliashvili, Vet. A. Kurashvili, Dr. G. Gogol, Dr. J. Kitiashvili, Acad. A. Didebulidze, Acad. J. Gugushvili.
The meeting of the Scientific Council adopted the following resolution on the first issue of the agenda:
1. The geological resistance of the Udzo mountain landslide area should be studied as soon as possible;
2. An inventory of existing forest stands should be carried out in conjunction with the uprooted masses of the soil in order to study the number, volume and cenotaphic stability of uprooted woody plants and to take appropriate timely and effective preventive measures in case of similar processes in the future emerge again.
3. In order to coordinate the ongoing works, K. It is desirable to set up a commission at the Tbilisi City Hall Environmental Service, which will be staffed by professionals in various fields, including the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the Georgian Technical University.
Full text of Acad. G. Gagoshidze’s report is uploaded on the website.
June 5 - World Environment Day
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) was established on December 15, 1972. It aimed to encourage humanity to be as cautious as possible towards the environment, to raise the standard of living and quality of people, without harming future generations.
As the UN 's main body in the field of environment, UNEP develops global environmental programs, promotes the introduction of natural systems, and firmly supports the sustainability of the earth' s environmental systems.
The governing body of UNEP, the Governing Council, consisting of representatives from 58 countries, meets annually. The programs are funded by the Environmental Fund, which was set up at the expense of raising voluntary contributions from governments and small allocations from the UN regular budget.
World Environment Day is held annually on June 5. This day is very important for the UN, because over the years it has become the largest global environmental ecological-information platform of the society and it has been celebrated by millions of people in recent years.
The Scientific Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the Academic Department of the Academy are holding an Internet scientific-practical conference on the topic: "Ways to optimize the environmental protection function of forest ecosystems in Georgia” June, 2021).
An informative article "June 5 - World Environment Day" was prepared for the website of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences on the occasion of the UN World Protection Day, by Dr. Revaz Lolishvili, Academic Secretary of the Scientific Departments of the Academy.