On May 25, the thematic session dedicated to the International Day of Biodiversity was held in the session hall of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, organized by the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences of the Academy: “Development of Agroforestry in Georgia”.
The session was attended by: Academician - Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences of the Academy, Academician Lasha Dolidze, Chief Academician - Secretary of the Academy, Academician Aleksandre Didebulidze, Head of the Academic Department, Academician Marine Barvenashvili, Doctor of Agriculture Zviad Tiginashvili, Academy staff members - Ketevan Chipashvili, Larisa Chaika; Invited guests: Head of the Agro-pastoral Crops Research Service of the Agricultural Scientific and Research Center, Doctor of Agriculture Nana Goginashvili, Head of the Forest est Disease Control Service of the Achara Forestry Agency, Doctor of Agriculture Rezo Vasadze, 3rd year students of the Faculty of Agrarian Sciences and Chemical Technologies of the Georgian Technical University, specialty "Forestry".
The session was opened by Academician Lasha Dolidze, Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences of the Academy, who emphasized the importance of the International Day for Biological Diversity and the involvement of citizens in actions aimed at preserving the biological diversity of the environment. It was noted that this day draws special attention to the fact that the diversity of plants, animals and microorganisms on Earth is the basis of life and a necessary prerequisite for human well-being. In the modern world, biodiversity is facing serious threats - climate change, ecosystem degradation, deforestation, environmental pollution and irrational use of natural resources. Therefore, the celebration of this day is not only educational, but also practical, as it calls on the international community, states and scientists to act together to protect natural resources and ensure sustainable development.
Then, Academician Lasha Dolidze handed over the floor to the Head of the Agroforestry Research Service of the Center for Agricultural Sciences, Doctor of Agriculture Nana Goginashvili, who made a report on the topic: “Development of Agroforestry in Georgia”. The speaker spoke about agroforestry, its importance and further development. It was noted that agroforestry is a land resource management system where forest woody plants are cultivated for various purposes. It combines agricultural, animal and forestry technologies and ultimately ensures the formation of a sustainable, productive and stable land use system, i.e. agroforestry means the cultivation of forest woody plants on agricultural plots for various purposes. The main components of agroforestry are: woody plants, agricultural crops and livestock. Agroforestry - as an established system in various countries of the world, it began in the 1970s-1980s, although its individual directions (arrangement of windbreaks, cultivation of riparian vegetation, etc.) originate from much earlier periods. Then the speaker briefly described the characteristics and main directions of agroforestry.