In 21-25 June, 2017, in the city of Varna, an International Scientific- Technical Congress on the topic: “Technology in Agriculture” was held. More than 100 researchers and doctorate students participated from European Union and Eastern European countries, among them 4 academicians, 60 professors and 30 doctorate students and scientific workers. Georgia was represented by the Professor of Agrarian University, academician Jemal Katsitadze and Doctor Giorgi Kutelia.

Academician Jemal Katsitadze delivered the scientific paper: “Improving the reliability of agricultural machinery, using the method of restoration of parts under submerged arc welding, and its technical and economic evaluation”. He was also a member of organizing committee of the Congress and he addressed the Congress participants from the name of GAAS and its president G. Aleksidze, and wished success in further scientific work. The Organizing Committee selected three best scientific papers among them was the article by J. Katsitadze which was awarded by the Highest Diploma and was published in a scientific journal MTM (Machines, Technologies, Materials).  

 Speech of Jemal Katsitadze at International Scientific Congress,
Varna, Bulgaria, June 22, 2017

On June 15, 2017, a delegation from Korea, the representatives of Korea Agro-biodiversity Center of National Academy of Sciences and the Scientific Center of Horticulture of Korea visited Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

The particular visit is a part of a joint project the aim of which is the exchange of plant genetic resources and development of two-way cooperation in management and scientific researches. The President of GAAS, G. Aleksidze is directing the project. Also, Dr. T. Epitashvili, the assistant of the President is actively involved in the project.

The goal of the expeditions is to collect Georgian genetic resources and send to Korea agro-biodiversity gene bank to be kept there.

On the 6^th June, 2017, Biological Production Association “Elkana” with support of OXFAM, organized  The Third Congress of Georgian Farmers. Among the invited guests were the Head of Agrarian Committee in the Parliament Otar Danelia, the Minister of Agriculture Levan Davitashvili, Deputy Minister Giorgi Khanishvili, representative of the Agency for development of agricultural cooperatives – Giorgi Misheladze, OXFAM representative in Georgia Levan Dadiani, Georgian Farmers’ Association President – Nino Zambakhidze and farmers from different parts of Georgia. From GAAS, active participation in the work of the Congress took A. Giorgadze, Deputy President, and the learned secretaries of the Academy Revaz Lolishvili and Marina Barvenashvili.

The Congress was opened by the Director of “Elkana” Mariam Jorjadze who spoke about the significance of the Congress in the development of farming industry in Georgia. Levan Davitashvili’s speech was focused on the role of export of Georgian agricultural product and raising competitiveness in international market. Rusudan Tabukashvili’s speech on the further plans of the Association was supported by video materials which highlighted the achievements and evaluations of the previous Congress.

Particular attention during the Congress was paid to the ways of problem management and the Minister answered the farmers’ questions.

The Congress was closed by Mariam Jorjadze who assured that they would be actively involved in solution of the problems the farmers face in implementation of bio-production.

    On May 19, 2017, Danish Professor, Copenhagen University, the Head of laboratory of Clinical Bio –chemical Department and Vice-president of Nutritious Council Sten Stender delivered a lecture at GAAS :  Industrially produced trans-fats harmful affect on cardio-vascular system and trans-fats in a popular products  – time to protect population”.   

The meeting was directed by the Head of Food Safety Department of GAAS Acad. Zurab Tskitishvili and attended by the researchers, professors, MA and doctorate students, and others who take interest in the problems presented by Danish scholar.

The Lecture – Seminar was recorded and was transmitted by the following television channels: TV – 1, Saperavi TV, and Pulse. 

 Important discussion was held around the problem raised in the presentation of Danish Stender, in the result of which the Academy  by initiative of  Acad. Z. Tskitishvili prepared official letter for Georgian government in which a scientifically proven conclusions and valuable recommendations  regarding the norms which should be considered by producers was stipulated. Based on this letter, a resolution #262 was issued which aimed to define the norm of industrial Trans- fats in product:

-It should not exceed 2 gr. per 100 vegetable fat; 

- The food produced for babies and children should not include trans- fats. 

The Decision will come into forth since August 1, 2017.