Professor Tamaz Batsikadze was awarded the Georgian Technical University Gold Medal
The Rector of the Georgian Technical University, Academician David Gurgenidze, by the decision of the Academic Council, awarded Professor Tamaz Batsikadze the GTU Gold Medal and a certificate confirming the award for his outstanding services to the university, and his solid contribution to the development of science and education of many generations.
As David Gurgenidze stated at the Academic Council, Professor Tamaz Batsikadze has made an outstanding contribution to the development of the Georgian Technical University for decades, as well as to the process of educating the new generation in accordance with high standards, on the basis of which the Academic Council made the decision to award him.
The award established on May 19, 2022 - the GTU "Gold Medal" - will be awarded for outstanding services to the Georgian Technical University, based on the nomination of the Rector and the decision of the Academic Council. Since its inception, this award has been awarded to more than 80 scientists and researchers, including both Georgian and foreign citizens.
“The “Gold Medal” of the Georgian Technical University is an award of special importance, which is awarded for many years of fruitful activity, professional dedication and significant contributions to the university. This is an expression of gratitude and respect from the university towards those people who serve with great devotion not only the development of science, but also play an important role in the education and professional development of the young specialists.
The Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences cordially congratulates the distinguished scientist on this highest award, wishes him health, courage and many new achievements in the development of our country.
Congratulations
Nodar Chitanava is 90 years old
Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, Full Member of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Academician Nodar Chitanava turned 90 on March 10 of this year, and 60 years of scientific, pedagogical and public activity.
Nodar Chitanava was born on March 10, 1936 in the village of Chkadua, Zugdidi district. After graduating from Tsalenjikha Secondary School with a silver medal in 1954, he continued his studies at Georgian Polytechnic Institute, specializing in industrial and civil construction, after which he was awarded the qualification of an engineer-builder. In 1968, he graduated with honors from the Higher Party School under the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (hereinafter the Academy of Social Sciences) with a degree in philosophy and political economy. In 1970, he defended his candidate's dissertation and was awarded the scientific degree of Candidate of Economic Sciences. In 1993, after defending his doctoral dissertation on the topic: "Economic, organizational and managerial relations in the Georgian agro-industrial complex during the transition to a market economy", he was awarded the scientific degree of Doctor of Economic Sciences. In 1994, he was elected a corresponding member of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and in 1995 - a full member of the Academy - Academician. In 2004, by the decision of the Council of Professors of the Presidium of Georgian Academy of Sciences, Academician Nodar Chitanava was awarded the scientific and pedagogical title of Professor (08.00.09. Macroeconomics, Regional Economics).
Mr. Nodar Chitanava's work biography is rich. He began his labor activity as a foreman of a construction brigade. Since1959, he has been working in Komsomol and party positions: instructor, second secretary, first secretary of the Zugdidi District Committee of the Komsomol; secretary of the Zugdidi District Committee of the Party; deputy secretary of the Zugdidi Industrial Zone Party Committee; instructor of the Agricultural Department of the Central Committee of the Party; first secretary of the Tskhakaia District Committee of the Party. In 1973-1974, he was the second secretary of the Adjara Regional Committee of the Georgian Communist Party; In 1974-1979 - Minister of Agriculture of the Georgian SSR, in 1979-1985 - First Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Georgian SSR, in 1985-1989 - Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Georgia, and in 1989-1990 - Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Georgian SSR.
After the declaration of independence of Georgia, in 1991-1992, he was the Minister of Agriculture, Food Industry and Forestry of the Republic of Georgia; in 1990-1991, he was a member of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia of the first convocation.
Nodar Chitanava signed the Act of Restoration of State Independence of Georgia (April 9, 1991).
It is also noteworthy that Mr. Nodar was elected a deputy of the Supreme Council of the Georgian SSR, a deputy of the Supreme Council of the Soviet Union. For 8 years (two convocations) he was the Chairman of the Standing Commission on Construction and Building Materials Industry of the same Council.
Nodar Chitanava, along with his state activities, was successfully engaged in scientific and pedagogical activities. In 1993-2004, he worked as the Director of the Scientific Research Institute of Socio-Economic and Regional Problems of Georgia, and since 2005 he has been engaged in pedagogical and scientific research activities.
Nodar Chitanava's scientific activities are extensive and diverse. His research concerns such fundamental issues as globalization and transformation of the national economy, development of the agro-industrial complex of Georgia, socio-economic development of regions, rational and effective use of land resources, as well as Georgia's intellectual potential, etc.
Nodar Chitanava developed a concept for the formation and improvement of organizational-economic and managerial relations of the agro-industrial complex during the period of transition to market relations. These and other problems are discussed in the monographs:
- “Agriculture of Georgia: Transformation, Problems, Prospects”;
- “Socio-economic Problems of the Transition Period”;
- “Social Economy” (co-authored);
- “Metamorphoses and Prospects of the Georgian Economy”;
- “Challenges and Strategy of the Georgian Economy”;
- “Global Challenges in a Unipolar World” and others.
Nodar Chitanava experienced the power of the impact of the “visible” and “invisible” processes of the collision of the interests of two eras: the Soviet Empire and independent Georgia. In both eras, he served his homeland with the same responsibility, love and devotion. He is actually a “bridge” between the past and the future. It is not by chance that his colleagues call him the “last Mohican” of state thinking, a “living archive”. He is a good example of how a person can maintain academic honesty and a state vision regardless of the configuration of political forces in the country.
One of the first steps in the struggle for Georgia's economic sovereignty is considered to be the historic resolution of the Council of Ministers of Georgia in 1990 on the establishment of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the definition of its structure. With this decision, Georgia took upon itself the function of scientific management of the country's agrarian-industrial complex.
Nodar Chitanava's work is still connected with the Academy today. He is a member-advisor of the Presidium and coordinator of scientific directions. He energetically and purposefully participates in determining the scientific foundations of the development of the country's agrarian sector, in strengthening the leading role of the Academy. He provides an exemplary person of hard work, high responsibility, the use of innovations in research, a large-scale vision of the development of the country's economy, and the search for opportunities for the complex and accelerated implementation of the still unused resource potential.
Nodar Chitanava, a person, statesman, and scientist, is a good example of how devotedly a modern citizen should serve his native land, realizing his responsibility, preserving and strengthening the identity and uniqueness of his homeland which is the duty of every Georgian at all times.
The Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences cordially congratulates Academician Nodar Chitanava on these remarkable dates - 90 years since his birth and 60 years of scientific, pedagogical, and public activity, and wishes him good health, long life, and fruitful creative work for the benefit of our country.
World Wildlife Day
On March 6 of this year, a thematic session dedicated to World Wildlife Day was held in the meeting hall of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, organized by the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences of the Academy. The session was attended by: Academician - Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences of the Academy, Academician Lasha Dolidze, Corresponding Member, Acting Director of the V. Gulisashvili Forestry Institute, Doctor of Forestry Giorgi Kavtaradze, scholarship holder of the department: Doctor of Agriculture Zviad Tiginashvili, Research Fellow of the V. Gulisashvili Forestry Institute, Doctor of Biology Medea Burjanadze, staff members.
The session was opened by Academician - Lasha Dolidze. After a short welcome, he handed over the floor to Z. Tiginashvili, Associate Professor, who presented a report on the topic: “The Potential of Georgia’s Forests and New Opportunities for Carbon Trading”. The speaker noted that climate change is one of the most important global challenges today. Forests play an important role in reducing this problem. They absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere and reduce the amount of greenhouse gases. Georgian forests are not only of ecological importance. They may also become an important economic resource in the carbon credit market.
Carbon trading is an economic mechanism that allows reducing CO₂ emissions to be converted into financial benefits. Its basic principle is as follows: 1 ton of CO₂ is equal to one Carbon Credit. Companies buy these credits to offset their own emissions. If Georgia were to join carbon trading, it would be possible to receive approximately $150–250 million in annual revenue, which could become a new economic sector, a source of investment, and an important tool for regional development.
However, there are also certain challenges in this direction. These include the creation of an effective forest monitoring system, accurate inventory of carbon stocks, establishment of relevant legal regulations and reduction of the problem of illegal logging. For the development of this area, it is necessary to create a national carbon database (Carbon Registry), introduce satellite monitoring and, which is very important, certify forests at the international level.
Finally, Georgian forests have great potential not only in terms of environmental protection, but also as an economic resource in the global carbon market. The development of carbon trading can become a new opportunity for the country, which will simultaneously contribute to the fight against climate change, the protection of natural resources and the development of the economy.
At the end of the thematic session, a very interesting discussion was held in question-answer mode. The speaker gave comprehensive answers to the questions asked.
The theatrical session was summarized by the Academician Lasha Dolidze, who thanked the speakers and the audience for coming and noted that such meetings will contribute to the discussion and resolution of current issues related to Georgia's forests in the future.
Ceremonial Meeting
Ceremonial Meeting at the Academy Dedicated to International Women's Day
On March 6, 2026, a ceremonial meeting dedicated to International Women's Day - March 8 was held at Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
The ceremonial meeting was attended by: President of the Academy, Academician Givi Japaridze; Deputy President, Academician Anatoly Giorgadze; Chief Academician-Secretary, Academician Aleksandre Didebulidze; Head of the Academic Department, Academician Marine Barvenashvili; Presidium Advisor Academician Nodar Chitanava; Academician-Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry, Academician Lasha Dolidze, Academician Jemal Gugushvili and staff members.
The ceremonial meeting was opened by the President of the Academy, Academician Givi Japaridze, who, after greeting, noted that International Women's Day - March 8 is an important date. It is a global holiday and aims to appreciate, empower and promote women's achievements. He emphasized the fact that the majority of employees at the Academy are women who perform their duties properly. Then he congratulated the women on the upcoming holiday, wishing them health, prosperity and success in their future activities.
Women were also congratulated on March 8 by the Presidium Advisor, Academician Nodar Chitanava and the Deputy President, Academician Anatoly Giorgadze.
At the end of the ceremonial meeting, the Head of the Academic Department, Academician Marine Barvenashvili, presented certificates of honor to the women working in the apparatus for their long and fruitful labor activity.
The following were awarded the Academy's honorary certificate:
Chief Accountant - Eter Kurashvili.
Certificates of appreciation were awarded to:
Personnel Inspector - Ekaterine Migriauli;
Head of the Chancellery - Irma Chkoidze;
Leading Specialist - Personal Data Protection Officer -
Tsiala Tegetashvili;
Senior Specialist - Luiza Tsiklauri;
Cleaner - Ludmila Sulakvelidze;
Leading Specialist - Mariam Mosashvili;
Leading Specialist - Head of the Information Center - Ketevan Chipashvili;
Cleaner - Kristine Samkharadze.
Workshop
“Strengthening Inclusive and Environmentally Sustainable Non-Wood Forest Products Value Chains in Georgia”
On March 4-5, 2026, a workshop on the topic: “Strengthening Inclusive and Environmentally Sustainable Non-Wood Forest Products Value Chains in Georgia” was held at the Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel in Tbilisi.
The main objectives of the workshop were: Capacity building: Building knowledge on the economic, environmental and social importance of non-wood forest products, based on global best practices and regional experiences;
Strategic planning: Developing a joint roadmap for priority non-wood forest products value chains in Georgia and strengthening value chains by identifying a general outline of potential future projects.
The workshop was attended by: representatives of national government agencies, international and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academia and research institutions; as well as technical experts, producers and other stakeholders involved in the value chain of non-timber forest products. The workshop was attended by Academician Lasha Dolidze, Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences of Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
Non-timber forest products include all resources obtained from forests that do not contain wood. Such resources include mushrooms, medicinal raw materials, technical raw materials, herbaceous and shrubby plants and their products, etc. These products play an important role in:
• Diversifying income for forest-dependent communities
• Establishing sustainable forest management practices
• Developing local, regional and national economies.
As a result of the workshop, a strategic national roadmap for non-timber forest products value chains in Georgia and a concept for a project proposal to be submitted to donors in the future were developed.
Round Table,
Correspondent Member of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences Levan Lazishvili -100
On February 27 of this year, a Round Table was organized at the Department of Food Safety and Food Technology Sciences of Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Levan Lazishvili, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Honored Engineer and Inventor, Correspondent Member of Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
The round table was attended by: Academician-Secretary of the Department of Food Safety and Food Technology Sciences of the Academy, Academician Zurab Tskitishvili, members of the department, academicians: Temur Revishvili, Guram Papunidze, Edisher Kvesitadze, Corresponding Member Malkhaz Dolidze, Head of the Academic Department, Academician Marine Barvenashvili, as well as the Academy's Leading Specialist Larisa Chaika and Head of the Information Center Ketevan Chipashvili. It is noteworthy that the President of the Georgian Tea Producers Association, Mr. Tengiz Svanidze, attended the round table as a guest.
The round table was opened and the Academician-Secretary of the Department of Food Safety and Food Technology Sciences, Academician Zurab Tskitishvili, addressed a welcoming speech to the audience. Mr. Zurab emphasized Levan Lazishvili’s contribution to the popularization of Georgian tea and his contribution to the development of the field. Then he handed over the floor to Academician Guram Papunidze, who presented an extensive report to the audience. Academician Guram Papunidze introduced Levan Lazishvili’s biographical data to the audience. It was noted that Levan Lazishvili was a tea and subtropical crops processing engineer-technologist by specialty, who devoted most of his life to the study of tea plant culture. This is clearly evidenced by his candidate and doctoral theses, which he defended on the topics: “Laocha Technology” and “Research of Rough Tea Plant Shoots and Ways of Their Rational Use, and Intensification of Technological Processes”. The speaker also drew attention to L. Lazishvili's activities, both in leadership positions and in scientific research institutions. In particular, Mr. Levan successfully led the Batumi Tea Factory Inter-District Production Union and the Kobuleti District Production Union as the General Director for many years. He was the Deputy Director of the Batumi Institute of Agricultural Biotechnologies and Business in the scientific field, and at the same time was engaged in pedagogical activities.
The speaker emphasized the important research conducted by L. Lazishvili, which concerned the study of the chemical properties of rough tea leaves and the technology of making Lao-tea from them; the development of a new complex technology for green and black tea and a new method of briquettes; the creation of a system of machines for thermal processing of tea leaves to develop an energy-saving method in the production of green tea, etc.
At the round table L. Academician Temur Revishvili and corresponding member Malkhaz Dolidze also spoke about Lazishvili's activities and his contribution to the development of the field. L. Lazishvili was remembered with special warmth and love by Mr. Tengiz Svanidze, who spoke of Mr. Levan not only as a talented and successful scientist, but also as a kind and benevolent person, who was endowed with a number of positive personal qualities.
The work of the round table was summarized by Academician Z. Tskitishvili, who thanked the members of the department and invited guests for their active participation in the work of the round table.
Meeting of the Commission for the Study of Scientific Problems of Natural Disasters of Georgian National Academy of Sciences
On February 26, 2026, a meeting of the Commission for the Study of Scientific Problems of Natural Disasters of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences was held in the session hall of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences. The topic was presented: “Safety of the Niko Nikoladze House-Museum and Garden-Park Territory from Floods” - Speaker: Givi Gavardashvili - Chairman of the Commission for the Study of Scientific Problems of Natural Disasters of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences, Academician of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences.
The meeting of the commission was attended by: President of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences, Academician R. Metreveli, members of the Presidium of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences and the Commission for the Study of Scientific Problems of Natural Disasters of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences. The meeting was attended by Academician - Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences of the Academy, Academician L. Dolidze.
Based on the data obtained as a result of the conducted scientific research and laboratory studies, a sewage system has been designed to regulate surface waters for the safety of the Niko Nikoladze House-Museum and Garden-Park territory. A drainage system has been designed to remove groundwater, which allows protecting the facility from floods.
A discussion was held around the above issue.
The session was summed up and the audience was thanked for their presence by the President of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences, Academician R. Metreveli.
Agrarian Innovations Commission Meeting
On February 18 of this year, a meeting of the Agrarian Innovations Commission under the Presidium of the Academy was held, at which the Chief Specialist of the Sagarejo Information and Consulting Center of the Kakheti Regional Service of the Rural Development Agency, Doctor of Technical Sciences Nikoloz Javakhishvili, presented a report on the topic: "Technology for preventing wind and water erosion of soil on slopes and maintaining moisture" (for the conditions of the Sagarejo Municipality).
The farmer noted that a large part of the non-irrigated lands of the Sagarejo Municipality (more than 40% of the land area) is located on steep slopes, which is why their cultivation using mobile agricultural technical means is somewhat complicated, since their use is possible only when the slope does not exceed 150.
It is worth emphasizing that the area of vineyards and perennial crops in the municipality is increasing every year at the expense of areas occupied by annual crops (wheat, corn, etc.), as well as natural meadows, annual and perennial grasses. This poses a serious obstacle to the management of the food base for livestock, since it is on their basis that concentrated and coarse feed is produced.
Due to geographical, soil and climatic conditions, agricultural lands in Sagarejo Municipality are subject to strong wind and water erosion. In particular, the Iori plateau, where the agricultural lands of the municipality are located, is subject to strong wind erosion, with wind speeds often exceeding 20 m/s, and the number of windy days exceeding 70%. Particularly strong winds are recorded in February, March and April. Due to strong winds, the humus layer is blown away, which damages the root system of newly sprouted autumn crops, reduces the yield and completely destroys the crop.
The speaker also emphasized the fact that wind-eroded plots also suffer from a lack of moisture, the reason for which is the uneven distribution of precipitation according to the seasons. These phenomena are also aggravated by the fragmentation of plots received by the population as a result of privatization and the cutting down of windbreaks. As for agricultural plots located on slopes, in addition to wind erosion, their water erosion is caused by regular runoff of melted snow, rain and snowmelt. As a result of increased water erosion, natural pastures, which are mainly located on slopes, are in no less difficult condition, because it is not possible to effectively retain the incoming precipitation, the humus layer is washed away, due to which the productivity of these pastures does not correspond to their potential capabilities.
Mr. Nikoloz introduced to the audience the technology of strip cultivation of agricultural plots located on slopes developed by his service, which can increase yields by 2-3 times and also reduce labor and operating costs. The mentioned project won the competition “Climate-Smart Agriculture” organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Center for Environmental Protection and Education, Green Climate Fund (GCF).
After the report, a discussion was held, the speaker was asked questions and expressed his opinion: Academicians: A. Didebulidze and L. Dolidze, Corresponding Member of the Academy O. Tedoradze, Professors: O. Karchava and Ts. Samadashvili, Doctors: E. Katsitadze, G. Tsopurashvili, Engineer Ts. Natsvlishvili. Dr. Javakhishvili gave exhaustive answers to all questions. After the meeting, the draft resolution was unanimously adopted, taking into account certain remarks.
Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences announces with deep sorrow that the outstanding scientist in the agricultural field, Honored Forester of Georgia and a prominent representative of the well-known Georgian Forestry Scientific School, laureate of the Academician T. Davitaia Prize, full member Academician of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor Revaz Chagelishvili passed away at the age of 88.
On March 23, 2026, a Thematic Session dedicated to the International Day of Forests was held in the session hall of Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, organized by the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences of the Academy.
It was a special honor and pride for our Academy that His Holiness was named an Honorary Academician of Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences.