In memory of Academician Rezo Jabnidze

The Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences announces with deep sorrow that a prominent scientist in the agricultural field, Academician of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Deputy Director of the Adjara Scientific Coordination Center of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Emeritus Professor of Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, educator of many generations, Rezo Jabnidze, passed away at the

age of 71.

The scientific community of our country is well aware of Mr. Rezo’s scientific, pedagogical and public activities. After graduating with honors from the Georgian State Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, he continued his studies at the postgraduate course of the All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Tea, Subtropical Crops and Tea Industry. In 1984, he defended his candidate's thesis, and in 1994, his doctoral thesis. In 1996, he was awarded the title of professor.

Academician Rezo Jabnidze's work can be divided into two directions: public and scientific-pedagogical. For many years, he headed the Agricultural Department of the State Planning Committee of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara. He was the first deputy chairman of the State Statistics Committee of Adjara, later acting chairman.

In 1994, he was appointed rector of the newly established Batumi State Agricultural Institute of the Georgian Agrarian University. His outstanding ability to successfully solve topical problems placed him among the leading agricultural scientists and teachers of Georgia. In 2012-2019, he was elected as the Chairman of the Dissertation Council at the Faculty of Technology of Batumi University; during this time, 24 applicants were awarded the academic degree of Doctor in the field of agriculture. Under his guidance, 9 doctoral students defended their dissertations.

Academician Rezo Jabnidze has published more than 250 scientific works, including 18 recommendations, 8 monographs and 5 textbooks. Some of the works have been published abroad.

Mr. Rezo's scientific, pedagogical and public activities have been duly appreciated. He has been awarded the Order of Honor, the Akaki Tsereteli and Iakob Gogebashvili medals;

In 2019, the textbook published by him: “Subtropical Crops” was awarded the Prize of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences for the best fundamental, educational and applied work of the year in the agricultural field, and he has received the Academy’s honorary diploma for achievements in the agricultural field. In the person of Academician Rezo Jabnidze, Georgian agricultural science has lost an excellent father, scientist and teacher, whose name will forever remain in the memory of his friends and colleagues.

Commision of Agrarian Innovations

On June 18, 2025, a meeting of the Commission on Agrarian Innovations under the Presidium of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences was held, at which the Head of the Fruit Growing Research Service of the Agricultural Scientific-Research Center of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Doctor of Agriculture Zviad Bobokashvili, delivered a report on the topic: “On the aspects of pomological and agronomic study of promising introduced and local varieties of fruit”.

The speaker noted that fruit growing is a traditional branch of Georgian agriculture, which provides the country with an annual export volume of up to 200 million US dollars and the production of products worth up to 120 million GEL for domestic consumption. The increased interest in this sector is evident, which was reflected both in the cultivation of new modern types of orchards, as well as in the diversification of production and raising the level of agrotechnology.

Nevertheless, Georgian fruit growers face serious challenges. It is necessary to grow economically profitable, stable and competitive crops against the backdrop of climate change, in conditions of potential reduction of labor resources, increasing imports and asynchronous supply-consumption cycles in the market.

The wrong decision made in the selection of varieties during the cultivation of an orchard poses insurmountable difficulties for a new or existing agribusiness in fruit production. Therefore, the well-known axiom that “the variety is the basis of success” once again confirms its truth. Surveys of Georgian fruit growers show that the evaluation and testing of new varieties is a research priority in fruit growing.

Over the past three decades, the world has been experiencing a reduction or cancellation of state selection programs for fruit varieties, which is due to the indecision of economic and marketing issues. As a result, breeding programs have shifted into the hands of private initiative breeding companies, which are interested in using multiple varieties in the turnover for the purpose of product realization.

The range of varieties available to Georgian fruit producers has been increased by foreign breeding organizations and nurseries, however, it is worth noting that at the same time the risks in the direction of adaptation-tolerance of imported fruit tree genotypes to the climatic conditions of the country are also increasing. The proposed varieties may exhibit high commodity qualities in the specific region of their breeding, however, their actual behavior in the target regions of Georgian fruit growing raises many question marks. Therefore, it is necessary to study new varieties in advance, before a specific variety is offered to Georgian fruit farmers.

       The main work in terms of studying fruit tree varieties in Georgia is being carried out at the Agricultural Research Center, where the largest collection of fruit trees in our country is grown. It includes more than 450 varieties, forms and samples of 14 fruit and berry crops. As a result of the agronomic study of varieties over the past decade, a wide range of promising high-yielding and competitive varieties have been selected for fruit farmers for the purpose of conventional and bioorganic fruit production.

A discussion was held after the report. Main presented was asked questions and opinions were expressed by the members of the commission: Z. Loladze, G. Tsopurashvili, G. Javakhishvili, N. Khatiashvili, Ts. Samadashvili, O. Tedoradze, N. Khokhashvili, A. Didebulidze. The relevant resolution was adopted.

News

June 17 - World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

On June 17 of this year, a round table dedicated to the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought was held in the small conference hall of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, organized by the Department of Agronomic Sciences, on the topic: “The Role of Soil in Adaptation to Drought.”

The round table was attended by Academician-Secretary of the Department of Agronomic Sciences, Academician Gogola Margvelashvili; Academician-Secretary of the same department, Dr. Giorgi Gambashidze; Chief Academician-Secretary of the Academy, Academician Aleksandre Didebulidze; Head of the Academic Department, Dr. Marine Barvenashvili; Academician Zaur Chankseliani; Academician-Secretary of Environmental Protection and Forestry, Academician Lasha Dolidze; Chief Specialist for Relations and Activities with International Organizations, Dr. Tinatin Epitshvili; Personnel Inspector Ekaterine Migriauli; Leading specialists: Larisa Chaika, Ketevan Chipashvili, Dali Tarkhnishvili. The round table was opened and the Academician-Secretary of the Department of Agronomic Sciences, Academician Gogola Margvelashvili, addressed the audience with a welcoming speech. He reminded the audience of the history of the establishment of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, its importance. He emphasized the fact that today the fight against land degradation has gone beyond the problem of one country and must be considered on a global scale. Ms. Gogola also touched upon the problems and challenges related to the condition of Georgian soils, and presented measures to be taken to improve them.

In his speech, Academician G. Margvelashvili also spoke about the deserts on Earth and their importance. He drew attention to the representatives of flora and fauna adapted to desert conditions. He noted that there are special deserts on Earth that are of great interest to tourists. Among them: “Porcelain Desert”, “Yuni Desert”, “Danakil Desert” and others.

Dr. Giorgi Gambashidze presented a report on the round table: “The Role of Soil in Adaptation to Drought”. He emphasized two important components of soil, on which the quality of moisture retention in the soil largely depends. These are: soil granulometric composition and soil organic matter. According to the granulometric composition, the following are found in the soil: coarse sand, medium sand, fine sand, sand with loam, sandy loam, fine sandy loam, loam, loam with silt, loam with clay, silty-clay loam, sandy-clay loam, sandy clay, silty clay, clay. Each of them has a different ability to retain moisture. The most moisture is retained in loamy and sandy-clay loams. Here, the amount of water in the top 30 cm of the soil varies from 43.75 - 62.5 t/ha. Coarse sandy soil retains the least moisture - 10 - 18.75 t/ha. As for the role of organic matter in the soil in retaining water available to plants, it was noted that by increasing the organic matter in the soil by 1%, it is possible to increase the water supply in the 0-30 cm layer per 1 ha by 53.4 t, which provides water for vegetable crops for 2 weeks.

In his report, Dr. G. Gambashidze also discussed the annual sequestration potential of organic carbon in agricultural soils in Georgia. In this regard, Samgrelo stood out with the best indicator, with 1.6 t/ha during the year. The Tbilisi region lagged behind all regions with the same indicator, with 0.18 t/ha.

It was found that soil moisture has a certain impact on the reproduction of harmful organisms. An interesting object in this regard is the Italian locust, which requires dry soil with a moisture content of less than 5% to lay eggs.

After the reports presented at the round table, a discussion was held. A number of questions were asked, to which the speakers gave exhaustive answers.

The work of the round table was summarized by the Academician-Secretary of the Department of Agronomic Sciences, Academician Gogola Margvelashvili. He thanked the audience for coming, and Dr. G. Gambashidze for the report presented. In turn, the participants of the round table also thanked Ms. Gogola for the interesting information about deserts.

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World Food Safety Day

On June 11, 2025, an event dedicated to World Food Safety Day - ''One Health, One Future - Science-Based Food Safety'' was held in Tbilisi, at the Museum Hall of the LEPL National Wine Agency, in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia.

The event was attended by: FAO Representative in Georgia Raymond Yele; Deputy Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia Apollon Kakabadze; Deputy Head of the National Food Agency Giorgi Iakobashvili; UN Resident Coordinator in Georgia Didier Tghebiuki; FAO Senior Policy Advisor Jumber Maruashvili; Head of the Food Research Department of the LEPL State Laboratory of Agriculture Marina Ghvinjilia; Vasil Kvernadze, Head of the Food Safety Department of the National Food Agency; Jonash Hager, Project Coordinator of the Czech Development Agency; Paata Imnadze, Deputy Director General for Science of the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health; Maia Metreveli, Head of the Risk Assessment Service of the Agricultural Scientific Research Center; Drago Marojevic, FAO International Expert on Food Safety; Academician-Secretary of the Department of Food Safety and Food Technology of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Academician Zurab Tskitishvili and Academician-Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences of the same Academy, Academician Lasha Dolidze.

The following persons welcomed the audience: Mr. Raimund Yele, Apollon Kakabadze, Giorgi Iakobashvili, Didier Tgebiuk, (video address).

Following the welcoming remarks, Mr. Jumber Maruashvili delivered a report on “Intensification of Food Safety and Control Systems: Strategic Review and Assessment”, while Ms. Marina Ghvinjilia, Head of the Food Research Department of the State Laboratory of Agriculture of the Republic of Georgia, presented a report on “The Role of the Laboratory in Ensuring Food Safety and Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance” -

A panel discussion was held on the topic: “Synergy for Ensuring Safe Food and a Healthy Future”. The following participants participated in the discussion: Mr. Vasil Kvernadze, who presented a report on “Sustainability of the Food Safety System for Ensuring Unified Health”; Mr. Jonash Hager, Project Coordinator of the Czech Development Agency, presented a report on “Sustainable Use of Pesticides”; Mr. Paata Imnadze spoke about the “Epidemic of some food-borne infections”; Ms. Maia Metreveli presented a report: “Efforts of the Agricultural Research Center to strengthen the risk assessment process in the direction of international cooperation”; The report of the FAO International Expert on Food Safety, Drago Marojevic, was about “Tackling antimicrobial resistance through a One Health approach”; The topic of the report of Academician Zurab Tskitishvili was: “Coordinating the interrelationship of risk analysis components”.

The event dedicated to World Food Safety Day was summarized by the FAO Senior Policy Advisor, Jumber Maruashvili, who thanked the audience for participating in the meeting.

     April 22 - International Earth Day

On April 23, 2025, a thematic session dedicated to International Earth Day (April 22) was held at the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, organized by the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences.

International Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22. It was first celebrated in 1970, and today it is coordinated worldwide and is celebrated annually in more than 193 countries. On this day, various events in support of environmental protection are held all over the world. The thematic session was attended by: Academician - Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences, Academician Lasha Dolidze, Chief Academician - Secretary of the Academy, Academician Aleksandre Didebulidze, Head of the Academic Department of the Academy, S/M Dr. Marine Barvenashvili, Academy Fellow, Academic Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences of the Academy, Doctor of Agriculture Zviad Tiginashvili, Academy staff and invited guests: Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Sustainable Mountain Development of the Georgian Technical University, Doctor of Biology Maia Gogotishvili, Students of the Faculty of Sustainable Mountain Development of the Georgian Technical University: Vakhtang Nazghaidze, Ana Tsanava, Tamar Sepashvili.       

The thematic session was opened by Academician Lasha Dolidze, Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences. After a short welcome, he handed over the floor to Doctor of Agriculture Zviad Tiginashvili for a report on the topic: “Protected Areas of Georgia and Their Role in the Fight against Climate Change”.

The speaker noted that Georgia’s protected areas play an important role in the fight against climate change. He highlighted the challenges that are currently relevant for protected areas, such as: uncontrolled grazing of cattle, illegal and uncontrolled deforestation, etc.

The management of protected areas in Georgia is ensured by the LEPL Agency of Protected Areas, which is subordinate to the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture.

The total area of ​​protected areas in Georgia is 927,748 ha, which represents 13.3% of the country’s territory. 49.7% of protected areas are covered with forest. The forest ecosystem is an important mitigating factor of the negative processes caused by climate change on Earth. Of all the phytocenoses on Earth, forests are the most powerful carbon reservoir. Forests in protected areas play a particularly important role in the fight against climate change, for example: protected ecosystems are less damaged; deforestation, processing and other damaging activities in protected areas are prohibited or strictly regulated, therefore, these forests develop more naturally and continue to absorb carbon dioxide in the long term. In protected forests, less forest mass is cut or burned, which means that they can store large amounts of carbon for a long time. Forests in protected areas, as reference forests, give us the opportunity to conduct various important scientific studies, monitor changes in forest ecosystems and better manage natural resources.

Protected areas are the best example of how humans and nature can coexist harmoniously. Forests are not only carbon sinks, but also important environments for saving life. Their protection, management, expansion and development are part of climate sustainability, which is critically important for both national and global environmental goals.

At the end of the report, a question-and-answer discussion was held. Zviad Tiginashvili comprehensively answered the questions raised by the audience.

The thematic session was summarized by Academician L. Dolidze, who thanked the speaker for his interesting report, the audience for their presence and active involvement in the work of the session. In conclusion, he noted that such meetings contribute to the discussion and resolution of challenges related to climate change.

Working meeting of the National Forestry Program Process (NFP)

A working meeting of the National Forestry Program Process (NFP) was held in Tbilisi on April 16, 2025, under the leadership of the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, the Department of Biodiversity and Forestry.

The meeting was attended by: Karlo Amirgulashvili, Head of the Department of Biodiversity and Forestry of the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Academician Lasha Dolidze - Academician - Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Giorgi Berechikidze - Representative of the National Forestry Agency, Jumber Abuladze - Representative of the Adjara Forestry Agency, Nata Sultanishvili, Representative of the Agency of Protected Areas, Lado Kakhoidze - Representative of the A(A)I Tusheti Protected Landscape Administration, Giorgi Edisherashvili - Representative of the River Tani and Tedzami Protected Landscape Administration.

The meeting was opened with a welcoming speech by Karlo Amirgulashvili. He extensively reviewed the maintenance and restoration measures and results in the forest areas managed by the National Forestry Agency.

Giorgi Berechikidze introduced the forest maintenance and restoration measures in 2024 to the audience.

The forest maintenance and restoration measures and results in the forest areas managed by the Agency for Protected Areas were introduced to the audience by the representative of the Agency for Protected Areas - Nata Sultanishvili;

The forest maintenance and restoration measures and results in the forest areas managed by the Tani and Tedzami Landscape Administration were introduced to the audience by the representative of the Tani and Tedzami Landscape Administration - Davit Bzishvili;

Forest protection and maintenance and restoration measures in the territory of the Tusheti Protected Landscape were introduced to the audience by the representative of the Tusheti Protected Landscape Administration - Lado Kakhoidze.

After the introduction of the above issues, a discussion was held in question-and-answer mode. Problems that are characteristic of almost all forest sectors were identified. Ways to solve them were outlined.

The meeting was summarized by the Head of the Biodiversity and Forestry Department of the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture, Karlo Amirgulashvili. He thanked the audience for coming and noted that such meetings will be held systematically in the future.

A meeting of Agrarian Innovation Commission

 On April 16 of this year, a session of the Commission on Agrarian Innovations under the Presidium of the Academy was held at the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, at which a report on the topic: “Genetic Resources of Subtropical Crops in Georgia” was delivered by Dr. Ese Jakeli, Head of the Plant Protection Laboratory of the Institute of Tea, Subtropical Crops and Tea Industry of the Georgian Agrarian University.

The session was opened and addressed by Academician Aleksandre Didebulidze, Chairman of the Commission on Agrarian Innovations.

The speaker noted that the favorable soil and climatic conditions of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus made it possible to spread many subtropical plants from the Mediterranean, China, Japan, and Australia into culture, where certain indicators of climatic conditions are close to ours. These plants not only grow and bear fruit, but also give abundant offspring, which indicates the high degree of adaptation of species, forms and varieties to new conditions of distribution.

Introduced crops played an important role in the creation of a completely new branch of plant breeding in our country in a relatively short time - subtropical agriculture. Many representatives of the subtropical flora found a second homeland here: from Southeast Asia - tea plant, bamboo, some species and genera from the Aurantiodeae subfamily, camphor and false camphor laurel, lacquer tree, Japanese cryptomeria, Japanese marasmus palm; From the Mediterranean - oleander, stone oak, cork oak, pine, Italian pine, low Chamerops; from Australia - many species of eucalyptus, silver acacia; from South America - feijoa, palms, magnificent jube; from North America - species of Butsia, carya, evergreen sequoia, large cypress and palms.

The first task of the research carried out was to attract a wide range of cultivated plants from subtropical and tropical countries, to study their practical usefulness and values ​​in detail and to conduct further biological studies. The second task was to test varieties and to isolate the most valuable from the introduced material for agricultural use and selection purposes.

After the report, a discussion was held. Questions were asked and opinions were expressed by Academician A. Didebulidze, Professors: O. Tedoradze, Ts. Samadashvili, Doctors: G. Tsopurashvili, N. Khokhashvili, E. Katsitadze, A. Noniadze, G. Kutelia.

The session was attended by academicians of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, members of the commission, specialists in the field, and entrepreneurs.

Round Table

   On April 11 of this year, a roundtable discussion was held at the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, organized by the Department of Economic Sciences, dedicated to the discussion of the works published in 2000-2025 by Academician Revaz Asatiani, Academician-Secretary of the Department of Economic Sciences of the Academy.

The following participated in the round table: Chief Academician-Secretary of the Academy, Academician Aleksandre Didebulidze, Deputy President, Academician Anatoly Giorgadze, Advisor to the Presidium, Academician Nodar Chitanava, Head of the Academic Department, Dr. Marine Barvenashvili, Academician-Secretary of the Department of Agronomic Sciences, Academician Gogola Margvelashvili, Academician-Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Academician Tengiz Kurashvili, Academician-Secretary of the Department of Agroengineering Sciences, Academician Revaz Makharoblidze, Academician-Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences, Academician Lasha Dolidze, Consultant for Relations with Higher Educational Institutions of Agricultural Profile, Vocational Schools, and Non-Governmental Organizations of Agricultural Direction, Academician Jemal Gugushvili, Head of the Staff of the Agrarian Issues Committee of the Parliament of Georgia, Dr. Iveri Akhalbedashvili and employees of the Academy's staff.

The round table was opened by the Chief Academician-Secretary of the Academy, Academician A. Didebulidze. He emphasized that the works of Academician R. Asatiani are very relevant and important. In them, the author provides a complex analysis of the peculiarities, trends and regularities of the development of the country's economy, in particular agriculture and related sectors, scientifically substantiates how much space should be given to the development of agriculture in the country's economy, etc. Then he handed over the floor to Academician

Rezo Asatiani.

   Academician R. Asatiani noted that in the period 2000-2025 he has published 5 monographs and 2 textbooks. The author presented a short annotation around each work. He spoke about the prerequisites for their creation, goals and objectives. In particular:

In 2002, he published the monograph “Information and Consulting Service in the Agro-Industrial Complex: World Experience and Development Trends”, Tbilisi, which describes the prerequisites for the creation of information and consulting services in different countries of the world and the organizational forms of their functioning

In 2006, an auxiliary textbook “Environmental Protection Management” was prepared, Institute of Public Affairs, Tbilisi, which presents a lecture course for students of the Institute of Public Affairs on issues of environmental protection economics.

In the textbook “Business Management and Global Competition”, published in 2009, Georgian Technical University Publishing House, the issues discussed are intended for students of the Georgian Technical University.

In 2023, the monograph “Agriculture of Georgia - Challenges and Prospects,” (co-authored), Tbilisi, 294 p. was published. This work is intended for readers employed in the field of agriculture and agribusiness, agro-economics and agribusiness. It reflects the challenges in the agriculture and agribusiness sector, offers recommendations for their solution, and carries out forecast calculations of the main types of agricultural products for the period up to 2030, taking into account food consumption norms.

In 2023, the monograph “Agriculture of Georgia: Transformation and Development Trends of the Last Decade” was published. (Co- Authored), Tbilisi, Georgian Parliament Publishing House, Tbilisi, 330 p., which provides a retrospective analysis of the development of Georgian agriculture from independence to 2012 and from 2012 to the present.

In 2024, the monograph “Industrial Village - Global Challenge of the Future” was published, Tbilisi, Meridian Publishing House, (co-authored), 492 p. It was submitted to the competition for the Georgian National Prize. The monograph, based on the analysis of the characteristics and trends of the transition period, comprehensively presents the features of the interdependence of the state and the economy (in particular, the agricultural sector), objectively explains the cause-and-effect factors of the development of the transition period and determines the processes of transformation of today's traditional agriculture into industrial agriculture, etc.

In 2025, the monograph “Georgian Agrarian Sector: Challenges and Legislative Reforms” (co-authored) was also published, Meridian Publishing House, 564 pages. This book is intended for state officials, specialists, researchers and people interested in agricultural problems. It analyzes the processes taking place in the agrarian sector in 1989-2023, the reforms carried out and important legislative acts adopted by the Parliament of Georgia, the progress achieved and the existing challenges. A discussion was held at the end of the round table. Academician R. Asatiani gave exhaustive answers to the questions raised by the audience.

The following academicians expressed their opinions on the papers presented by Academician R. Asatiani: S. Didebulidze, G. Margvelashvili, N. Chitanava, T. Kurashvili, and Dr. I. Akhalbedashvili, who unanimously noted that the papers discussed were very interesting and important. A positive solution to each issue highlighted in them and the task posed will benefit not only the further economic development of agriculture, but will also make a great contribution to the development of the country's economy.

The work of the round table was summarized by the Chief Academician-Secretary of the Academy, Academician A. Didebulidze. He thanked the audience for coming and participating in the roundtable discussion.        

On April 3, 2025, Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences was visited by the Deputy Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia, Ms. Nino Tsilosani.

The meeting was held in the conference hall of the Academy. The meeting was opened by the President of the Academy, Academician Givi Japaridze. Among the attendees were the Vice-President of the Academy, Academician Guram Aleksidze, Deputy President, Academician Anatoly Giorgadze, Chief Academician-Secretary, Academician Aleksandre Didebulidze, Advisor to the Presidium, Academician Nodar Chitanava, Head of the Academic Department, Dr. Marine Barvenashvili, Head of the Staff of the Parliamentary Committee on Agrarian Issues, Mr. Iveri Akhalbedashvili, Advisor to the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Mr. Omar Kacharava, as well as members of the Presidium and the staff.

The president of the Academy, Givi Japaridze, on behalf of the attending public and agrarian scientists, congratulated Ms. Nino on her election as Deputy Chairperson of the Parliament, thanked her for her visit and for the great attention she shows to the activities of the Academy. He noted that Ms. Nino visited the Academy for the second time. The first visit was still in her capacity as the Chairperson of the Agrarian Issues Committee of the Parliament. It was during this period that a particularly close and business relationship was established between the Academy and the said Committee. One of the proofs of this is the joint project in connection with the nomination “Georgian Wheat Culture: Traditions and Rituals” submitted to UNESCO.

G. Japaridze also introduced Ms. N. Tsilosani to the current activities of the Academy. She spoke about the latest news, relations with the Georgian Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, local and foreign scientific, research and educational institutions; also spoke about international conferences held by the Academy, the activities of scientific departments, and the Academy’s print publications.

The Deputy Chairperson of the Parliament, Ms. N. Tsilosani, thanked the leadership of the Academy and the audience for the warm welcome and appreciation, and noted that such a welcome gave her even more motivation for joint activities and cooperation. Then she spoke about the publication “Georgian Agriculture: Transformation and Development Trends of the Last Decade”, which was published by the Agrarian Issues Committee of the Parliament of Georgia during her chairmanship.

He noted that agriculture plays an important role in the sustainable economic development of the country. A large part of the Georgian population is involved in the sector, and supporting this sector has a significant impact on the well-being of many members of society. That is why, for more than 10 years, the development of agriculture and rural areas has been one of the priorities for the state, which is supported by a clearly defined agrarian policy and the mobilization of significant financial resources in the sector. From 2012 to the present, agriculture has been undergoing a transformation. On this path, the main objectives of the policy were to increase the export of agri-food products and reduce dependence on imports, increase competitiveness in the sector, raise the standard of living in rural areas and promote economic activity, continuously develop the sector, ensure food security, and effectively respond to global challenges. The purpose of this publication is to summarize to some extent the policy pursued to achieve these objectives - the main directions of development of the agricultural sector over the decade, the progress achieved and the existing challenges. The idea and motivation for creating the publication was a key moment in Georgia's recent history - the emergence of new opportunities on the path to the European Union, in particular - the prospect of receiving candidate status by December 2023. It is at this turning point that a document summarizing the reforms, achievements and challenges implemented will be an important supporting resource in the process of rapprochement between our country and the European Union. Especially since the proposed publication very clearly shows the steps taken and the benefits received since the signing of the Association Agreement. With such a broad goal in mind, we cannot expect the publication to fully analyze every issue important to the sector, however, this document will provide the reader with the necessary information about legislative changes and reforms, facts and results, and will create a clear picture of the development trends of the agricultural sector in Georgia since independence. This publication will become a useful resource in the future for representatives of the private and public sectors, researchers, our international partners, young people interested in agriculture, and anyone else.

Ms. Nino also touched upon the issues of the nomination “Georgian Wheat Culture: Traditions and Rituals” submitted by Georgia to UNESCO.

It was noted that, at the initiative of the Agrarian Issues Committee of the Parliament of Georgia and the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, extensive work was carried out in the scientific-research direction, the goal of which was to prepare a new nomination within the framework of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and to include “Georgian Wheat Culture: Rituals and Traditions” in the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. For this purpose, the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia allocated financial resources to the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, which financed scientific-research expeditions across the country. In total, 2 scientific researchers (ethnographer and wheat grower) and 2 technical personnel (operator and driver) participated in the expeditions.

At the initial stage, the entire process of preparing the nomination was planned, based on the recommendations of the working group members and two additionally involved anthropologists-ethnologists. In this context, in order to determine the viability of the element, expeditions were carried out in the following regions: Kakheti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Racha-Lechkhumi, Kartli, Upper and Lower Svaneti, Tusheti, Guria. Based on the expeditions, the following were found and recorded: local farmers who still ritually grow Georgian endemic wheat and who still bake sacrificial or everyday bread in traditional bakeries (bakeries and bakeries); the participation of endemic and traditional wheat products in autumn-winter customs and ritual cycles was studied. In accordance with the requirements of the nomination, the Bread Festival in Meskheti, the city of Akhaltsikhe, was also filmed, where a diverse assortment of bread baked with flour obtained from Georgian wheat was presented; interviews with farmers and bakers were recorded. One-day filming was devoted to master classes held in the format of the public group “Flour Hands” based on the “Elkana” foundation. A filming of unique artifacts was organized: we are talking about carbonized wheat samples, which were discovered on the territory of Kvemo Kartli and their age is determined to be 8 thousand years (6th millennium BC). These artifacts are preserved in the S. Janashia Georgian National and G. Chitaia Ethnographic Museums. It should also be noted that G. Exhibits related to wheat sowing, growing, and threshing are kept in the Chitaia Ethnographic Museum. Various types of plowing tools are exhibited: mountain and plain (large plow), kevri, kodi, etc. One field trip was organized in Guria, where the traditional Guri pie baking ritual was filmed.

Based on the obtained and studied video materials, a film was edited for submission to UNESCO.

On February 5-6, 2024, at the Hotel "Republic" - "Event Hall", an international scientific conference "Georgian Wheat Culture - Rituals and Continuous Tradition of Use" was held, organized by the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University and the Agricultural Research Center. The conference was supported by: the Committee on Agrarian Issues of the Parliament of Georgia; FAO-Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia and the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Georgia.

The International Organizing Committee of the conference was represented by scientists from 4 countries (Georgia, Japan, Great Britain, Bulgaria), and researchers and scientists from 6 countries (Georgia, Japan, Great Britain, Bulgaria, USA, Turkey) participated in the work of the conference (see a broad overview of the conference below).

In parallel with the preparatory work, the intangible cultural heritage monument “Georgian Wheat Culture: Rituals and Traditions” was designated as a national significance category by Resolution N-98 of the Government of Georgia and signed by the Prime Minister on March 27, 2024. As mentioned above, all these months of work were aimed at preparing the UNESCO nomination and, ultimately, the working group completed the preparation of the dossier to be sent to UNESCO, including:

1. A registration card for the element to be included in the Representative List;

2. A 10-minute video film depicting the element, with English subtitles;

3. 10 photos depicting the element;

4. Signed documents confirming the copyright of the visual material;

5. Up to 4,000 supporting signatures;

6. One supporting video appeal.

The above documents were sent to the Georgian National Agency for Cultural Heritage Protection, which forwarded the dossier to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent the dossier to the UNESCOS headquarters.

On February 11, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a letter N-01/3640-11/02/2025 to the Committee on Agrarian Issues, which provided information that the Secretariat of the UNESCOS Convention on the Intangible Cultural Heritage had studied the technical side of the nomination “Culture of Wheat: Traditions and Rituals” submitted by Georgia.

According to the Secretariat, the dossier is complete and has been assigned registration number 02335. Accordingly, upon the recommendation of the Secretariat, the nomination will be discussed within the framework of the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee (December 8-13, 2025, Delhi).

At the end of the meeting, the leadership of the Academy once again thanked Ms. Nino for her visit and wished her progress and success in her further activities.

Joint Session

Joint Session of the Agrarian Innovation Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry

   On April 2, 2025, a joint meeting of the Commission on Agrarian Innovations and the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry under the Presidium of the Academy was held, at which Papuna Kapanadze, Head of the Forest Policy Division of the Biodiversity and Forestry Department of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, delivered a report on the topic: “Results of the First National Forest Census and Prepared Recommendations”. The speaker noted that forests are a natural resource of particular value for Georgia. 44.5% (3,100,500 ha) of the country’s territory is covered with forests, and according to this indicator, Georgia is among the countries rich in forests. Most forests are located on slopes of medium and high slopes, they perform very important soil protection and water regulation, sanitary-hygienic and other useful protective functions. In addition, the remaining forest areas of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus are of global ecological importance, as they represent the last intact forests remaining in the temperate climate zone.

As of today, forest management levels have not been recorded in most of Georgia’s forests. Accordingly, the lack of updated information on the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of Georgia’s forests remains a challenge for the country’s forestry sector. On the one hand, the availability of updated information plays a decisive role in the process of political decision-making, which is one of the important issues in terms of improving the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of forests and gradually accumulating carbon stocks, and on the other hand, increasing scientific and research potential.

In order to obtain updated information about the forests of Georgia, a national forest census was conducted in 2019-2022, and in 2022-2024 a statistical report was prepared on the quantitative and qualitative state of the forests of Georgia, and based on the report, policy recommendations were developed - Forests for the development of sustainable management.

The objectives of the national forest census were:

• Obtaining updated information on the qualitative and quantitative indicators of the forests of Georgia;

• Establishing a permanent network for continuous monitoring of forest characteristics;

• Providing political and strategic decision-makers with reliable information;

• Reporting at the national, regional and international levels;

• Promoting scientific research and strengthening research institutions.

Detailed information on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of forests and prepared policy recommendations will be presented.

A discussion was held after the report. Questions were asked and opinions were expressed by academicians G. Japaridze, N. Chitanava, L. Dolidze, A. Didebulidze, doctors A. Meskhishvili, M. Burjanadze, Ts. Samadashvili, G. Kavtaradze, E. Katsitadze, G. Tsopurashvili. A corresponding resolution was adopted.

NEWS

Council of Young Scientists and Specialists

March 2025, Meeting of the Council of Young Scientists and Specialists under the Presidium of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences

 On March 26 of this year, a session of the Academy's Council of Young Scientists and Specialists was held, where a report on the topic: Drones and Robots Used in Agriculture was presented by a member of the Council, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Technical University, Khvicha Gotchoshvili.

The speaker reviewed in depth the modern achievements in agricultural mechanization in developed countries, namely, unmanned tractor-robots, smart agricultural machinery, robots for caring for various crops and harvesting, robots used for feeding, manure collection and milking in livestock farming, ground-based and aerial drones for gardening, forestry, and the companies that manufacture this equipment.

The presenter also shared the results of some of the achievements and manufactured products of the “State Military Scientific and Technical Center “Delta”” - the aerial drone “M22 Q1” and unmanned aerial vehicles. The speaker noted that agricultural machinery-robots replace the hard physical labor of a live worker and can work independently day and night, both indoors and outdoors. Modern technologies used in smart agricultural machinery significantly reduce costs for the production of agricultural crops. Remotely controlled ground-based (ground-based) drones also replace the hard physical labor of a live worker and are often used to perform work that poses a threat to human health (for example, working in the forest and/or on slopes, spraying toxic chemical preparations, etc.).

The topic aroused great interest among the participants of the Council meeting, and an interesting discussion took place on the prospects for using such devices in Georgia, including the issue of economic feasibility.

The meeting was held in a hybrid format, so some of the Council members, as well as those wishing to participate, including those from the regions, had the opportunity to participate online. The meeting was also attended by the Chief Academician-Secretary of the Academy, Academician Aleksandre Didebulidze, Academician-Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences, Academician Lasha Dolidze, and Advisor to the President of the Academy, Academician Nodar Chitanava.

Meeting of the Agricultural Innovation Commission

 On March 19, 2025, a meeting of the Commission on Agrarian Innovations under the Presidium of the Academy was held, which was attended by members of the Commission - academicians, scientists, representatives of the Parliament, ministries, mass media and beekeepers' associations, farmers - individual entrepreneurs, and doctors. The meeting heard a report by Medea Burjanadze, Academic Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor of the Georgian Agrarian University, Senior Researcher of the Forest Protection Department of the Vasil Gulisashvili Forestry Institute, on the topic: Nosemosis: Diagnostics, Prevention, Treatment with Innovative Preparations. The speaker noted that bees participate in the pollination of many agricultural crops. In recent years, the bee population has been decreasing at an alarming rate worldwide. In Georgia, beekeepers suffer an average annual loss of 30%-40% of their colonies, and in some regions in 2020, 70-80% of the bee population died. These losses also pose a serious threat to the production of honey, wax and other bee products.

The mortality of the European honey bee - Apis mellifera - and the reduction in the number of bee colonies due to the death of bees are closely related to the Varroa mite - varroosis and the disease nosemosis, which is caused by the microsporidia Nozema Apis (NA) and Nozema Ceranae (NC). The disease Nosemosis is the most dangerous disease of adult bees, although its course often goes unnoticed by beekeepers, as there are no obvious characteristic symptoms. At the individual level, NA is mainly infected with worker bees, while NC is more pronounced in older worker bees.

With the financial support of the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Program (GEF SGP), implemented in Georgia by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), studies were conducted to detect NC in bee populations using two methods: 1. Microscopic diagnostics based on the detection of the pathogen Nosema spp and spore counting; 2. PCR-based, which only confirms the species. Microscopic diagnostics were carried out at the Georgian Agrarian University, and molecular diagnostics - at the Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory (BIOR Riga, Latvia).

Ecologically safe means were used against nosemosis: Antinosema H1 (AN H1), which was applied once every 3 days, five times; Antinosema 18 (AN 18) - applied once every 3 days, five times; BeePhyto - is used four times every 2 days for two consecutive days, ApiBio - is given every 5th day. The rates of reduction of nosemosis infection in beehives by these drugs are high and are: AN 18 - 72%, AN H1 - 68.75%, ApiBio - 57.9%, BeePhyto - 83.3%. The book “Nosemosis: Diagnostics, Prevention, Treatment with Innovative Preparations” was published on the basis of the results obtained, 2024.

The President of the Georgian Professional Beekeepers Association Teimuraz Ghoghoberidze, the coordinator of the beekeeping direction of the Academy Ramaz Tavartkiladze, the chairman of the society for the promotion of harmonious human development LLC “H&Z” Tsovinar Nazarova, and the doctor - homeopath Teimuraz Kenia made short reports on the mentioned topic.

The audience approved the presented report and unanimously noted that the elimination of winter mortality of bees will contribute to the long-term financially profitable activity of beekeeping, control of the costs of managing beekeeping, reduce losses of bee colonies and increase productivity, in accordance with the circumstances under which 2024, compared to the previous year, the export of natural honey decreased by 70% (32.5 tons of honey worth 260 thousand dollars were exported, while in 2023 109 tons worth 747 thousand dollars were exported) and, taking into account the issues raised at the meeting, it was considered appropriate to hold a round table dedicated to the problems of developing the beekeeping sector in the country in the shortest possible time, with the help of the Commission on Agrarian Innovations at the Academy, the Scientific Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, and the Coordination Group for the Beekeeping Direction.

Business visit to the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences

   On March 17 of this year, the Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Mr. Apolon Kakabadze, paid a business visit to the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences. The guest was accompanied by the Head of the National Forestry Agency, Mr. Kakha Tsertsvadze, and his deputy, Ms. Natia Iordanishvili. The purpose of the visit was to discuss the reform implemented in the forestry sector, as well as to identify the causes of forest-related problems and present the role of the National Forestry Agency in solving them.

Within the framework of the visit, a meeting was organized, which was attended by: President of the Academy, Academician Givi Japaridze, Vice-President, Academician Guram Aleksidze, Deputy President, Academician Anatoly Giorgadze, Chief Academician-Secretary, Academician Aleksandre Didebulidze, Advisor to the Presidium, Academician Nodar Chitanava, Head of the Academic Department, Dr. Marine Barvenashvili, Academician-Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences, Academician Lasha Dolidze, Consultant for Relations with Higher Educational Institutions of Agricultural Profile, Vocational Schools, and Non-Governmental Organizations of Agricultural Direction, Academician Jemal Gugushvili, Advisor to the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Dr. Omar Kacharava, as well as employees of the Academy's staff and the National Forestry Agency.

The meeting was opened by the President of the Academy, Academician G. Japaridze. After a short greeting, he spoke about the importance of forests for the country, about their benefits. He introduced the guests to the activities of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences at the Academy, and emphasized the cooperation between the Academy and the Ministry.

The Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Mr. Apolon Kakabadze, also addressed the audience with a welcoming speech. It was noted that the relationship established between the Academy and the Ministry will further deepen and acquire a more businesslike appearance. Then he introduced the audience to the purpose of the visit. He noted that the current situation in the country's forests is unsatisfactory. Effective measures need to be taken. Although much has been done, a Forest Code has been created, but all this is fragmentary. A complex approach is needed to overcome the problems. In this regard, the Ministry, together with the Forestry Agency, has developed certain views. They will present these views to the participants of the meeting. 20250317 133543

The Deputy Head of the National Forestry Agency, Ms. Natia Iordanishvili, spoke about the reform of the forestry sector and the development plan of the National Forestry Agency for 2025-2028. The conversation was held according to a certain scheme, which presented the current problems in the forests of Georgia, their main causes and solutions, the necessary human, technical and financial resources, existing supporting processes, and results. The main problem was the degradation of forests, which accounts for 807,178 ha - 35.4% of the country's forest area. As a result of unsystematic logging, the quality of the forest has deteriorated, the risk of natural disasters has increased, and to eliminate this, it is necessary to strengthen forest protection, which includes forest maintenance and restoration, and regulation of forest use. In order to organize physical protection of the forest, it is planned to allocate guard posts on the forest territory at the forest department level, according to quarters. Quarters should be combined in a guard post taking into account their territorial location, natural conditions and geographical characteristics, etc. Attention should also be paid to the activities of the forest guard, which include: physical protection of the forest in the operational area, detection and prevention of illegal use, drawing up a protocol on the violation when detecting an administrative offense, etc. Existing normative documents also require amendments; the working conditions of the forest guard should be improved; A significant problem is the practice of illegal logging - mainly social logging, etc.

After the report, a discussion was held, in which the President of the Academy, Academician G. Japaridze, Academician N. Chitanava, Academician L. Dolidze, Mr. K. Tsertsvadze participated. The conversation touched on forest inventory, the situation of foresters, national forest accounting, etc.

The meeting was summed up by the President of the Academy, Academician G. Japaridze, who noted that there is a need for even closer communication between the Academy and the National Forestry Agency. Then he thanked the audience for coming and for their active involvement in the activities of the visit.

News

Public lecture with students of the Faculty of Sustainable Mountain Development

  On March 12, 2025, a lecture on the topic: “Forest - the beauty of Georgia” was delivered to students of the Faculty of Sustainable Mountain Development of the Georgian Technical University by Academician - Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences of Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Academician L. Dolidze.

The meeting was attended by: Dean of the Faculty of Sustainable Mountain Development of the Georgian Technical University, Doctor of Agriculture Noe Khozrevanidze, professors - teachers of the faculty, and students.

During the public lecture, L. Dolidze noted that the forest is the beauty of Georgia, it occupies one of the leading places among the natural resources of Georgia. The forest has always played a particularly important role in the life of a Georgian man.

Georgian forests are distinguished by a great variety of environmental conditions for growth and development and geographical location. They create unique, rare beauty, harmonious, and at the same time diverse biocenoses.

Forests have always been, are and will be one of the determining reliable pillars of Georgia's socio-economic development. The rational, targeted use of Georgia's forests and the maintenance of their bioecological potential sustainability are tasks of great state importance. Georgia is a forested country, more than 40% of its territory is covered with forests. In terms of forest cover, Georgia is lagging behind countries such as Austria (38%), Germany (30%), France (21%). Ukraine (12%), Italy (19%), Poland (24%), Armenia (9%), Azerbaijan (12%) and others.

Georgian forest ecosystems are divided into mountain and plain forests according to relief conditions. Mountain forests occupy 98% of the total forested area, while plain forests - 2%, which are mainly distributed in the Kolkheti lowland and also in the lower deltas of the rivers: Mtkvari, Alazani, Iori, Khrami and others.

Georgia's forest ecosystems are geographically unevenly distributed. Along with the forest-rich regions (Abkhazia, Adjara, Borjomi Gorge, Racha, Svaneti, Kakheti), there are also regions with little forest and almost no forest (no forest cover). The western part of Georgia is characterized by more forest cover (50.9%) than the eastern part (30.0%).

The following regions in Georgia are characterized by high forest cover: Keda (80%), Gagra (77.9%), Borjomi (56.3%), Kornisi (54.8%), Tianeti (53.6%), Telavi (50.2%).

There are also regions in Georgia (Abasha, Ninotsminda, Tsalka, Dedoplistskaro, Kazbegi) where the forest cover does not exceed 5.0%. Forest ecosystems located mainly in the middle and upper zones of the mountains are characterized by relatively high forest cover.

The spectrum of biological diversity of Georgian forest ecosystems is very diverse, from which it is worth noting such silvicultural and bioecological concepts and characteristics as: genesis and biome of forest ecosystems, age structure of groves, vertical and horizontal structure, forest type, productivity, composition, frequency, etc.

The main factor of biological diversity of Georgian forest ecosystems is the heterogeneity of geographical landscapes. The physical and geographical diversity of the Georgian landscape contributes to the growth and development of plant species with very different silvicultural and biological and ecological characteristics.

In the forest ecosystems of Georgia, relict species that were present in the Miocene and Pliocene eras are still present: Pontic oak, Pontic birch, Medvedev birch, Caucasian bilberry, tskavi, etc.

The species composition of Georgian forests is very diverse, up to 400 different species of trees and shrubs grow wild in the forests, united in 123 botanical genera and 56 families: the great diversity of Georgian dendroflora is indicated by the abundance of endemic woody plants, including 61 species endemic to Georgia, and 43 species endemic to the Caucasus as a whole.

The bioecological diversity of Georgian forests, the variety and complex structure of forest ecosystems are indicated by the presence of groves of both pure and mixed composition.

The biological diversity of Georgian forest ecosystems, in turn, determines the nature and degree of socio-ecological and economic-economic significance of ecosystems. Georgian forests perform soil protection, water regulation, climate regulation, recreational, sanitary-hygienic and other protective-ecological functions, which indicates the diversity of their complex natural complex.

After the public lecture, an active and very interesting discussion was held with the students of the Faculty of Sustainable Mountain Development of the Georgian Technical University in the question-and-answer mode.

The Dean and students of the Faculty of Sustainable Mountain Development of the Georgian Technical University thanked the Academician - Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Academician L. Dolidze for his visit and for his interesting presenatation.

Round Table

Round table discussion on the monograph: "Georgian Agricultural Sector - Challenges and Legislative Reforms"

  On March 11, 2025, a round table was held at Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, dedicated to the discussion of the monograph of Doctor of Economics I. Akhalbedashvili and Academician R. Asatiani: “Georgian Agrarian Sector - Challenges and Legislative Reforms”.

The round table was attended by: President of the Academy, Academician Givi Japaridze, Vice-President, Academician Guram Aleksidze, Deputy President, Academician Anatoly Giorgadze, Chief Academician-Secretary, Academician Aleksandre Didebulidze, Advisor to the Presidium, Academician Nodar Chitanava, Head of the Academic Department, Dr. Marine Barvenashvili, Head of the Staff of the Parliamentary Committee on Agrarian Issues, Dr. Iveri Akhalbedashvili, Academician-Secretary of the Department of Economic Sciences, Academician Revaz Asatiani, Academician-Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences, Academician Lasha Dolidze and staff of the Academy.

The round table was opened by the President of the Academy, Academician G. Japaridze. It was noted that Mr. I. Akhalbedashvili is a member of the Presidium of the Academy. Despite rather responsible work that he is entrusted with as the head of the staff of the Parliamentary Committee on Agrarian Issues, he is actively involved in the scientific work of the Academy, is a talented scientist-researcher, the author of a number of important recommendations. As for the monograph “Agrarian Sector of Georgia - Challenges and Legislative Reforms”, this is an important work that will arouse great interest not only among specialists, but also attract the attention of those interested in the issue.

Dr. I. Akhalbedashvili made a speech before the audience at the round table. He thanked: the President of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences for providing the opportunity to present the monograph, the co-author - Academician R. Asatiani - for the work done, and Academician N. Chitanava - for his support and recommendations. Mr. Iveri remembered with sadness Academician P. Koghuashvili - the scientific editor of the monograph, whose advice was very useful to the authors.

In his speech, Dr. I. Akhalbedashvili noted that the main directions of agriculture in Georgia are an integral part of the country's history, its cultural part, and the identity of the nation. Despite favorable natural and climatic conditions, unfortunately, Georgian agriculture is considered one of the backward sectors in economic terms. The goal of the authors of the monograph was to analyze the processes taking place in the agrarian sector from 1989 to 2023, the adopted legislative acts, the progress achieved, and the existing challenges.

Dr. I. Akhalbedashvili drew the attention of the audience to the structure of the monograph, highlighting the main directions that, in the opinion of the authors, are important for the further development of the agrarian sector. It was noted that the monograph is divided into three chapters and 28 subchapters. All sub-chapters contain relevant recommendations, the total number of which is 90, 20 tables, 31 diagrams, 14 appendices and used literature are provided. The first chapter presents the most important direction of the country - land resources and existing challenges. Here, ownership of agricultural land, legislative acts adopted on agricultural land, state regulation of land resources, adopted and to be adopted legislative acts on the use of land resources, issues of improving the legislative base, etc. The second chapter provides the experience of advanced foreign countries in the rational use of agricultural land. Here, both constitutions and legislative acts are discussed, which mainly concern issues of land alienation, as well as aspects of land status and land uncultivation, which are important for our country and can be implemented in our country in terms of rational use of land. The third chapter mainly covers the reform that began in 1989 and continues today. Here, an economic analysis is provided from 1989 to 2023. The challenges and main directions that, in the opinion of the authors, will contribute to the development of the agricultural sector, etc. are also provided. Among the issues discussed are the imbalance between imports and exports and attempts to find ways to increase the share of exports. One of the important issues is innovations in the development of the agricultural sector. Both foreign experience and innovations introduced in our country are provided, which will contribute to the development of the agricultural sector.

Academician R. Asatiani noted regarding the monograph that work on it was ongoing for a year. The book is a comprehensive work that brings together the legislative framework and its impact on agriculture. There is no similar document and this is precisely its novelty. Academicians N. Chitanava, G. Aleksidze and A. Didi expressed their opinion on the monograph.

Ceremonial session at the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences dedicated to International Day of Women and Girls in Scince

  On February 11 of this year, a ceremonial session dedicated to the International Day of Women and Girls in Science was held at the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences. The session was attended by: President of the Academy, Academician Givi Japaridze, Chief Academician-Secretary of the Academy, Academician Aleksandre Didebulidze, Deputy President of the Academy, Academician Anatoly Giorgadze, Head of the Academic Department of the Academy, Dr. Marine Barvenashvili, Academician-Secretary of the Department of Agronomic Sciences of the Academy, Academician Gogola Margvelashvili, Academician-Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences of the Academy, Academician Lasha Dolidze, Chief Specialist for Relations and Activities with International Organizations, Dr. Tinatin Epitashvili, Academy Leading Specialists: Ketevan Chipashvili, Larisa Chaika, Dali Tarkhnishvili, and Marika Mosashvili, as well as invited guests.  

The session was opened and the Academy's Chief Academician-Secretary, Academician Aleksandre Didebulidze, addressed the audience with a welcoming speech. He noted that according to UNESCO data, women make up only a third of the world's scientists. However, this number is growing, and international foundations and grants support their increased involvement in science. UNESCO believes that women are underrepresented in scientific research. Their share in the total number of scientists is 28%. Since the Nobel Prize in Science was established in 1901, women have won only 3% of the awards. That is why UNESCO established the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, which is celebrated all over the world on February 11, as well as the International Award for Women Scientists. Unfortunately, the situation in Georgia is also unfavorable regarding the number of women working in science, especially in the agricultural sector.

 Academician-Secretary of the Department of Agronomic Sciences, Academician Gogola Margvelashvili, delivered a speech at the session. She warmly congratulated the women on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Then she recalled prominent Georgian women scientists: the first Georgian psychophysiologist working in Europe, the author of many fundamental works, the winner of numerous international awards, a member of the French Academy of Medicine, Barbara Kipiani, and one of the prominent representatives of agricultural sciences, Academician Ksenia Bakhtadze, a woman who brought universal recognition to Georgian tea. Academician G. Margvelashvili also spoke about his own path in science, and about the difficulties she had to overcome. It was noted that Academician G. Margvelashvili is considered the head of the Georgian scientific school for the development of theoretical and practical foundations for the effective use of phosphorus fertilizers in the main types of soils of Eastern Georgia. Under her leadership and scientific supervision, 17 candidates of sciences and 4 doctors of sciences successfully defended dissertations.

The head of the Academic Department of the Academy, Dr. Marina Barvenashvili, congratulated the women present in the hall on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. She wished each of them success, progress and new achievements.

Following the congratulations, the ceremony of awarding honorary certificates of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences to female scientists working in the agricultural field was traditionally held.

The following were awarded honorary certificates of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences:

- Doctor of Agricultural Sciences Manana Kevlishvili;

- Doctor of Chemical Sciences Mzia Ghagolishvili;

- Doctor of Food Technology Lali Elanidze;

- Doctor of Agriculture Darejan Jashi;

- Doctor of Agriculture Nunu Nakashidze;

- Doctor of Engineering Miranda Gorgiladze;

- Doctor of Chemistry Lia Aptsiauri;

- Doctor of Engineering Naira Mamardashvili;

- Doctor of Chemistry Ketevan Sarajishvili;

- Doctor of Chemistry Ketevan Beriashvili;

- Academic Doctor of Agricultural Sciences Natia Sukhishvili;

- Doctor of Food Technology Elene Sordia;

- Doctor of Food Technology Sophio Dzneladze;

- Doctor of Engineering Medea Ormotsadze;

- Doctor of Food Technology Lia Kotorashvili;

- Doctor of Ecology Maia Kukhaleishvili;

- Doctor of Biology Guliko Dvali;

- Doctor of Philology Teona Khupenia;

- Doctor of Geography Ketevan Lataria;

- Doctor of Engineering Marika Mikiashvili;

- Doctor of Agricultural Sciences Rusudan Dzidzishvili;

- Doctor of Agriculture Khatuna Doborjginidze.

The President of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Academician Givi Japaridze, congratulated the female scientists on the “International Day of Women and Girls in Science” and on being awarded honorary certificates of the Academy. He introduced the invited guests to the scientific activities and structure of the Academy, spoke about the activities carried out within the framework of the memorandums of cooperation signed by the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences with scientific, educational and research institutions, both within the country and abroad. The President of the Academy, Mr. G. Japaridze, on behalf of the Academy, expressed his readiness for further cooperation with the female scientists of agriculture.

The following women who were awarded made speeches: Ms. Manana Kevlishvili, Ms. Rusudan Dzidzishvili, Ms. Lia Aptsiauri and Ms. Medea Ormotsadze. They thanked the leadership of the Academy for the due appreciation of their work.

Publication of an important scientific work

“Traditional Georgian Seasonal Culture and Modernity (Wheat)” was published by Georgian scientists.

TRADITIONAL GEORGIAN AGRICULTURE AND MODERNITY (WHEAT)

The aim of the volume is to once again focus attention on the socio-cultural importance of wheat and its products, to discuss the past and the future of

Georgian traditional agriculture. The research and analyses of these issues is useful for consideration of the contemporary challenges. We would like to present the issues of the ancient traditions and modern development of Georgian traditional culture, wheat production and bread baking. The work is intended for representatives of scientific circles and the general public.

Agrarian Innovations Commission

On December 18 of this year, a meeting of the Agrarian Innovations Commission under the Presidium of the Academy was held, at which the Deputy Director of the Rural Development Agency of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Natalia Kharatishvili, delivered a report entitled “Measures Related to the Entry into Force of the Law of Georgia: “On Agriculture and Rural Development” from January 1, 2025”. In her speech, the speaker emphasized the fact that the development of modern agriculture is impossible without the implementation of the right policy and appropriate supporting measures. Therefore, the role of the state and the right steps taken by it are of paramount importance. In turn, in order to develop the right policy, the state needs tools that will make it possible to have the right information and conduct appropriate analysis. One such tool is the improvement of the legislative framework, which, similar to the legislative practice in the EU member states, will regulate the organization of agriculture in Georgia, policy management and related issues.

The adoption of the Law of Georgia “On Agriculture and Rural Development” serves to establish general principles and requirements for determining agricultural and rural development policy. In particular, these are:

Establishment of the basic principles of agricultural and rural development policy management and the competencies of authorized agencies;

Regulation of existing legal relations in the field of agriculture and rural development;

Promotion of the development of the rural economy in agriculture and related activities;

Decision on a state support measures and facilitation of their implementation.

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The need to adopt the law is due to the fact that Georgia did not have a unified legislative framework document that would regulate the development of agriculture and rural areas, presenting a vision and goals for implementing policy in the field. In addition, the country has a strategic vision document, the Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy (2021–2027), which establishes the main vectors in this direction at the national level, although it is difficult to fully realize the goals stated in it without the existence of an appropriate legislative framework that fundamentally defines the role and scope of actions of the entities in the field.

As a result of the adoption of the Law, such important terms as: agricultural activity, rural development, farmer, farm, register of farms, and other, were defined at the legislative level, the state bodies/agencies responsible for the proper functioning of supportive measures were determined, and a legal basis was created for the establishment of support measures by the Paying Agency (the legal successor of the Rural Development Agency after its EU accreditation). Under the conditions of proper analysis and planning of agriculture, agricultural production will increase, the country's food security, and the economic and social situation for rural residents will improve. The register of farms will be functionally loaded, the majority of farmers will be registered, and the statistical data of the register will be used for policy planning and management.

The law is scheduled to come into force on January 1, 2025, except for Articles 10 (Paying Agency), 13 (Unified Electronic System for Integrated Administration and Control), 14 (Register of Farms and Rural Enterprises) and 15 (Data Exchange), which relate to obligations to be fulfilled at the executive level and will come into force on January 1, 2026.

The discussion held after the report was attended by the President of the Academy, Academician Givi Japaridze, Vice-President of the Academy, Academician Guram Aleksidze, Academicians: Nodar Chitanava and Aleksandre Didebulidze, Academy Fellow Mamuka Benashvili, representatives of the Ministry - Advisor to the Minister Dr. Omar Kacharava, Senior Professor of the Service Omar Tedoradze and Head of the Information and Consulting Service of the Sagarejo Municipality Dr. Nikoloz Javakhishvili, Professors: Medea Burjanadze and Anzor Meskhishvili, Doctors: Gocha Tsopurashvili and Ekaterine Katsitadze. The speaker gave comprehensive and competent answers to the questions posed. The members of the commission discussed the expected consequences of the law.

The commission approved the report and expressed full support for the measures envisaged by the law to transform the Rural Development Agency into a paying agency.

NEWS

The 5^th of December – The World Soil Day - An International Day for Soil Protection

            On December 5 of this year, a round table was organized by the Department of Agronomic Sciences of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences under the motto: “Caring for Soils: Measurement, Monitoring and Management”, dedicated to the World Soil Day.

The round table was attended by: Vice-President of the Academy, Academician G. Aleksidze, Chief Academician-Secretary of the Academy, Academician A. Didebulidze, Head of the Academic Department of the Academy, Dr. M. Barvenashvili, Academician-Secretary of the Division of Agronomic Sciences of the Academy, Academician G. Margvelashvili, Academician-Secretary of the Division of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences of the Academy, Academician T. Kurashvili Academicians: N. Chkhartishvili, Z. Chankseliani, J. Gugushvili, employees of the Academy's staff, as well as the head of the laboratory of the Soil Fertility Research Service of the Agricultural Scientific Research Center, Dr. G. Gambashidze, and employees of the same service: M. Tarkhnishvili, T. Jolokhava, T. Meskhi, G. Ormotsadze, T. Tsetskhladze, G. Gventsadze.  

Academician G. Margvelashvili opened the round table, welcomed the audience and congratulated them on the significant date. He introduced the agenda to the audience, according to which the first report was: “Soil - our precious capital, life and well-being”, speaker: Acad. G. Margvelashvili, and the second report: “Evaluation of soil data in field and laboratory conditions”, speaker: Dr. G. Gambashidze.

Before making his report, Academician G. Margvelashvili reminded the audience of the history of the establishment of the International Day for Soil Conservation. That is, on December 20, 2013, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution, according to which December 5 of each year was declared the World Day for Soil Conservation. He also noted that this date is regularly celebrated at the Academy in the format of a scientific conference or round table. As for his report on the topic: “Soil - our precious capital, life and well-being”, Acad. G. Margvelashvili focused on a number of important issues, such as: the role of soil in the formation and preservation of biological diversity on our planet, sustainable development of agriculture and economic growth of the country; The information function of soil, which is manifested in the ability of soil to “remember and preserve in soil new formations the conditions of their formation in past historical and geological epochs, etc. Acad. G. Margvelashvili also touched upon the determining factors of land use in agriculture, the degree and areas of soil degradation in the world. He emphasized that approximately 7-8 to 15 million hectares of productive soil are withdrawn from agricultural use annually. Ms. Gogola also spoke about the state of our country’s soils, the problems related to soil protection and maintaining and increasing fertility, the reasons for the decrease in soil fertility, etc. Most importantly, she presented to the audience the important measures, the implementation of which will significantly improve the current state of the country’s soils.

Dr. G. Gambashidze, in his report “Evaluation of Soil Data in Field and Laboratory Conditions”, spoke about the importance of soil data, the knowledge of which is necessary: ​​to ensure sustainable soil management; to classify soils; to assess the level of soil fertility; to correctly select soil fertility improvement measures and develop recommendations; to spatially shift agricultural crops; to determine the degree of soil degradation and identify degraded areas; to ensure the safety of agricultural products and to assess the threats associated with it, and other. He also presented factors that affect the results of soil research, including: soil heterogeneity, variability of soil characteristics, different land uses, and different practices of soil fertility management on areas used by agricultural enterprises. Dr. G. Gambashidze also introduced the audience to the methods selected for field and laboratory soil research, and the impact of soil sampling on research results.

It is noteworthy that both reports presented at the round table received great interest and appreciation from the audience. A number of questions were asked, to which the speakers provided comprehensive answers.

The round table was summarized by Academician-Secretary of the Department of Agronomic Sciences of the Academy, Academician G. Margvelashvili. He thanked the audience for participating in the event and wished them success in their further activities.

Distinguished Scientist and Public Figure 

 Academician Roin Metreveli’s the 85^th annyversary

Dear Academician Roin Metreveli,

On behalf of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences and agrarian scientists, we would like to sincerely congratulate you - the President of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences, the Chairman of the National Committee of Historians of Georgia - on your 85th birthday and 60th anniversary of your scientific, public and pedagogical activity.

Your contribution to the study of the “Golden Age” of Georgian history is immense. In covering various aspects of the multifaceted activities of our saints, kings David the Builder and Queen Tamar, including reforms in the economic, military, ecclesiastical and legal fields, a socio-economic and political-cultural overview of the era, etc.

Each scientific work, monograph, textbook or scientific article published by you is extremely important in the representation of Georgian historical science.

Your historiographical works are also very valuable: letters and monographs on Vakhushti Bagration, Ivane Javakhishvili, Ekvtime Takaishvili, Shota Meskhia, Niko Berdzenishvili and other prominent Georgian historians.

Your contribution to the publication of the twelve volumes of the Georgian Soviet Encyclopedia is invaluable. As a result of your great efforts, the Georgian people were given a document confirming their great culture and history.

You were the rector of the Alexander Pushkin Pedagogical Institute (now Ilia State University) in Tbilisi and the Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. It is your greatest merit that Tbilisi State University restored the status of an autonomous higher education institution, which it had lost after 1926; and that today Tbilisi State University is governed by a University Council. In addition, Under your direct leadership, the Faculty of Medicine was reestablished at the university, about ten scientific research laboratories and scientific centers were created, new departments were established, the number of specialties increased, etc.

Your reports on the history of Georgia at numerous international scientific events are exemplary.

For many years, you were the Chairman of the Council of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions of Georgia, a member of the General Committee of the Assembly of Eurasian Universities. Thanks to your efforts, Tbilisi University joined the European University Association in 1999.

Your great determination to bring a worthy new generation to Georgian science is exemplary.

As a researcher and organizer of science, you are deservedly recognized as a valuable successor to the work of the great Ivane Javakhishvili.

Dear Professor Roin Metreveli,

Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences once again congratulates you - the esteemed patriot, a recognized scientist and public figure, a wonderful husband, father and grandfather, on these remarkable dates. We wish you good health, a long life, and fruitful creative, scientific-pedagogical and public activities for the development of our country!