On December 5, 2019, at the Conference Hall of Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, a Scientific – Practical Conference dedicated to International Day of Soil protection was held, entitled: “ Georgian soils in the prism of world soils”. The organizers of the Conference were Scientific Department of Agronomy and Academic Departments of GAAS.

The Conference was opened by Academician Givi Japaridze, Vice President of the Academy who talked about the importance of the international day which was adopted by United Nations at its 68^th General Assembly in 2013.  

Academician Givi Japaridze stated that, according to UN data, one-third of the world soils are already degraded, this process is invisible for many, but it affects each and everyone on the planet.

 The population increases rapidly and it may reach 9 billion by 2050 which means that there will be an increased demand on food and water. Soil degradation and contamination will have rather negative effect on fundamental sources of life.

 There are many different activities and campaigns held in the world, and we wish to join them and help the population raise awareness in regards with the problem.

During the Conference, some interesting presentations were made by the Head of Scientific Department of Agronomy of GAAS Academician Gogola Margvelashvili and other members of the GAAS.

 The presentations at the Conference were made by Professor Solomon Pavliashvili, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture, Nani Chikovani, Head of the Department of Soil Protection, Ministry of Environment and Agriculture, Real members of GAAS, Tengiz Kurashvili and Giorgi Gagoshidze, learned Secretary Dr. Revaz Lolishvili, and others.

 The work of the Conference was summarized by the Vice president Givi Japaridze who also delivered the Certificates to the Conference participants.

On November 29, 2019, in the Conference Hall of the Hotel “Holiday Inn” a discussion on the topic: Action plan and strategy for development of Georgian Agriculture in 2021-2027 was held which was organized with active support of Georgian Ministry of Environment and Agriculture, international organizations UNDP, and FAO.

A summing up discussion was held on which Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences was represented by its two members: Academicians Nodar Chitanava and Zurab Tskitishvili who presented to the auditorium their attitude regarding the strategy of the Plan previously discussed at GAAS.

The Meeting participants were greeted by Giorgi Khanishvili, First Deputy of the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture.

On the picture from the left: Nodar CHitanava, Giorgi Khanishvili, and Ekaterine Zviadadze.

 Ekaterine Zviadadze, Head of the Department of Policy and Analysis, Ministry of Environment and Agriculture presented to the auditorium The Action plan and strategy for development of Georgian Agriculture in 2021-2027. The presentation was followed by discussion in which Academicians Nodar Chitanava and Zurab Tskitishvili actively participated and observed the opinion and comments worked out at the presidium of the Academy. In particular, the problem of soil resources and the measurements for protection were accentuated. To address the problem effectively, it is necessary to make a proper assessment of agricultural soils, study its structure and types, and work out soil security strategy.

It is important that all governmental and non-governmental organizations took part in discussion of the strategic plans regarding development strategy of agriculture of Georgia in the next decade. The final version of the project should be presented to the Government.

On November 29, 2019, a new team of National Branch Coordinators of Georgian Academy was officially confirmed at the Meeting of the Presidium of GAAS. ( Minutes #14,29,11,2019).

1.      1. Scientific Department of Agronomy

1.1.Viticulture and Winemaking

Academician Nodar Chkhartishvili

Doctor Levan Ujmajurudze

Academician Guram Papunidze

1.2.Horticulture

Academician Iuza Vasadze

Academician Vajha Kvaliashvili

1.3.Tea and Citruses

Academician Valerian Tsanava

Academician Ronald Kopaliani

1.4.Field Cultures:

Professor Tsotne Samadashvili

1.5.Vegetables:

Doctor of Agricultural Sciences Valeri Sukhishvili

Doctor of Agricultural Sciences Nato Kakabadze

1.6.Plant protection:

Academician Guram Aleksidze

Doctor of Agricultural Sciences Sandro Kanchaveli

1.7. Soil Management:

Doctor of Agricultural Sciences NIkoloz Kiknavelidze

Doctor of Agricultural Sciences Giorgi Bolghashvili

1.8. Ecology of Agriculture:

Academician Zaur Chakseliani

            Doctor of Science Maia Meladze

1.9.Agro-chemistry and Soil studies:

Academician Gogola Margvelashvili

Academician Rezo Jabnidze

1.10.                 Land  use:

Doctor of Economy Anzor Meskhishvili

2.    2.  Forest Studies Scientific Department

Direction- Forestry:

Academician Revaz Chagelishvili

Academician Givi Japaridze

Academician Giorgi Gagoshidze

3.      3. Cattle-breeding and Veterinary Scientific Department:

Cattle-breeding

Academician Jemal Gugushvili

3.2.   Food Production:

          Professor Ioseb Sarjveladze

3.3. Veterinary:

Academician Tengiz Kurashvili

3.4. Sericulture:

    Corresponding member Giorgi Nikolaishvili

    Academician Elguja Shapakidze

3.5. Bee-breading:

      Doctor of Agriculture Gogia Madzgharashvili

      Doctor of Agriculture Maia Peikrishvili

 4.      4. Agro-engineering Department:

4.1.Mechanization of Agriculture:

Academician Revaz Makharoblidze

4.2. Electrification and Automatization of  Agriculture:

Academician Archil Vashakidze

4.3. Hydro-Melioration of Agriculture:

Professor Eduard Kukhalashvili

5.      Food Safety and Food Technology Department:

5.1. Food Technologies:

Academician Nugzar Baghaturia

Academician Temur Revishvili

On November 8, 2019, at Georgian National Academy a ceremonial meeting was held dedicated to the World Science Day for Peace and Development. A delegation from Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences headed by Academician G. Aleksidze, President of the Academy took active participation in the event.

In 2001, UNESCO declared November the 10^th a Day for peace and development of science. It also highlights the need to engage wider public in debates on emerging scientific issues. The first Conference was held in Budapest, Hungary by International Union of Scientists. The annual celebrations hold in many countries aim to highlight the role and necessity of science for the society and in their everyday life.

Scientific Academies of Georgia join the celebration and hold meetings dedicated to World Science Day for Peace and Development.

The Meeting was opened by the President of the National Academy Giorgi Kvesitadze and congratulated the audience with the birthday of outstanding Georgian public figure, writer and poet, Ilia Chavchavadze. The next presenter was Academician Guram Aleksidze who underlined the importance and relevance of science in our daily life.

The researchers got blessing from high rank representative of Georgian Orthodox Church iorgi Zviadadze and greeted the audience from the name of Georgian Patriarch.

Archil Talakvadze, the Head of Georgian Parliament greeted the audience and underlined that:

“A nation will not able to create its future without science. It unites the past with the future, it can provide cooperation between the generations and connect a nation with international society. Georgian National Academy, a successor of Georgian medieval century academies of Gelati and Ikalto, preserves and transfers to future generations the knowledge, creation of which needs hundreds of years. This accumulated knowledge should be actively applied for the progress of the nation”.

Academician Nodar Chitanava dedicated his presentation to the problem of rational management of soil resources in Georgia.

The culmination of the Meeting was delivery of Diplomas to the holders of Academic Prizes. In the field of Agro chemistry the prize was given to Academician Gogola Margvelashvili, head of the Department of Agronomy, GAAS.

The President of Georgian Academy of Agriculture, Guram Aleksidze delivered a Certificate of Honor to the members of GAAS, Academician Nodar Chitanava and Member Correspondent Giorgi Nikolaishvili.