On September 6, 2018, a Coordinating Center of Environment and Agro biodiversity hosted a delegation from South Korea, the guests were from Scientific – Research Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking and the University of Ionami.  

The visit was planned and carried out by Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, South Korea Agricultural Development and Administration and Agro biodiversity National Center. The aim of the Project is to exchange genetic resources, to develop joint cooperation of management and researches in the named field. From Georgian side, Academician G. Aleksidze, the President of GAAS and the head of the Project, participated in the expedition, also Academician Nodar Chkhartishvili, a Deputy Head of Coordinating Center of Environment and Agro Biodiversity of the Academy, Dr. Anatoli Giorgadze, Dr. Tinatin Epitashvili, a Secretary of Coordinating Center.

The Project participants had some field visits, namely to the Kakheti Region, Kvareli “Megvineoba Khareba” and take a look of its vineyards and unique Wine Cellar – the Tunnel, in which the guests could take a taste of different unique wine made from Georgian endemic species. Also they visited wine “Corporation Kindzmarauli” in Kvareli and observed new technologies of winemaking, as well as ancient, traditional winemaking. During Wine Testing the guests were offered seven different varieties of wines which raise live interest and appreciation among the guests.

The materials collected during the Expeditions in Kakheti and Ajara regions were sent to Research Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking in Korea. 52 samples of Georgian vine genetic resources were chosen for multiplication by tissues culture method.

   On the next stage of the Project development, Georgian specialists will visit Korea to study how Georgian vine species have coped and developed in a new environment.

        On August 28-30, 2018, The Experts’ Consulting Meeting was held in Prague on the initiative of FAO and Czech Republic. The researchers, specialists, officials, non-governmental organizations and civil society representatives took active part in the Meeting. The participants discussed the problems of Bio-security, shared their opinions regarding gene-engineering and its advantages, risks and management problems.

        The representative of Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Dr. Anatoli Giorgadze, Deputy of the GAAS President, Deputy Head of Coordinating Center of Environment and Agro Biodiversity participated in International Meeting. Besides Georgian representative, the guests from many countries, such as Austria, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Germany, Moldova, Netherland, Poland, Rumania, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine took part.

        The governments of European countries apply double approach in the policy of Biotechnological sphere – which is “Maximize advantage and minimize risks”. In maximum advantage they mean food safety and better nutrition, adaptation to climate change and weakening its influence, also reducing the pressure on natural resources. Under the words - minimizing risks they imply working out national systems and regulations of Bio- security and its implementation.

          FAO representative Aleksandrova –Stepanova mentioned that it is very important to assist the Governments in order to raise their awareness and deepen their knowledge in the sphere of bio-technologies which could be achieved through flow of information in both ways at all levels of leadership and management. Innovations in science and technologies play very important role to successfully address the problems of today and tomorrow. Complicated issues demand to be solved with the application of sophisticated approaches.

         The Meeting was hosted by Prague Scientific –Research Institute of Plant Studies. The participants visited genetic resource bank of the Institute and testing plots.

   ON July 26, 2018, an Extended Meeting of the Presidium of Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences was held. One main problem was on the agenda: The perspectives of rehabilitation and development of Sericulture in Georgia.  The meeting was attended by the members of GAAS, representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Scientific Research Center of Agriculture of Georgia, Ajara Ministry of Agriculture, also Ajara Agro-Service Center, also representatives of Regional Information- Consulting Centers, the Museum of Sericulture, and extended group of sericulture specialists from Tbilisi and other regions.  

 The Meeting was opened by Academician Guram Aleksidze, the President of GAAS. The Member- Correspondent of GAAS, Giorgi Nikoleishvil made a presentation about the perspectives of development of Sericulture in Georgia. Academician Elguja Shapakidze, a representative of BASCA in Georgia dealt with the current problems problems and main directions in restructuring of sericulture. 

Interesting positions were also expressed by different experts: The Mayer of Khoni Municipality Lado Jurkhvadze., The Deputy Director of the Scientific Research Center of Agriculture Nodar Khatiashvili, The head of Ministry of Agriculture, also the head of Sericulture Commission Nodar Khokhashvili, Chief Specialist Nargiz Baramidze and Nodar Stepanihvili, a sericulture specialist from Akhmeta  and Signaghi Nunu Nakhutsrishvili and lamara Bejhashvili, the director of the Sericulture Museum Nino Kuprava, academicians Zaur Putkaradze, and Nodar Chitanava. The closing speech was delivered by the Vice President of the Academy Academician Givi Japaridze.   

  The presenters delivered a brief history of Sericulture Development in Georgia and spoke about the quality of Georgian silk and the necessity of the restructuring of the filed. Also they mentioned the  significance of the field in terms of employment of farmers by involving them into the sericulture industry.

 The main attention was paid to the measurements both administrative and organizational aspects of the problem which is crucial for restructuring of the field. The management and organizational plans should be set up and implemented within the most reasonable time in accordance with the economic and agriculture policy of agriculture, employment and farming traditions of Georgia.    

 In conclusion, the Meeting of the Presidium of Georgian Academy stated that a Targeted State Program for Planned Development of the field should be set up ( 2020-2030) and discussions on the topic should continue at Governmental and institutional levels.

 A Declaration adopted by the Meeting should be sent to the Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze and to the Head of the political party “ Georgian Dream” Bidzina Ivanishvili.       

On July 23, 2018, a scientific tour was organized by Environment Agency and National Agency of Food   in Samegrelo region for the researchers to get firsthand information about the measurements carried out against the Marmorated  Stinc Bug in Georgia.

The Academicians of GAAS, G. Aleksize, I. Vasadze, G.Margvelashvili, N. Chkhartishvili, V. Tsanava, T, Revishvili, R. Kopaliani, Z. Chakseliani, Z. Tskitishvili,  T. Urushadze, and the members of Georgian National Academy visited the office of Environment Agency and National Agency of Food. where they listened to detailed information about the measurements taken against the Bug, and studied technical devices applied in different operations against the bug. In Abasha Municipality the visitors got informed about chemical procedures which were carried out in cereal field.  

 The researchers highly evaluated the measures carried out against Marmorated  Stinc Bug by Environment Agency and National Agency of Food. In compare with the last year, the population of the pest has been diminished which is the result of organized and systematic approach of the government. 

Iuri Nozadze, Deputy of the Minister of the Environment and Agriculture was attending the meeting, who underscored the significance of close cooperation with researchers regarding this particular problem. “We have close partnership with the Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the correct and successful measurements carried out by our agency are a direct result of the scientific achievements of our researchers. The risk of distribution of the Bug in other regions is minimal,” said Iuri Nozadze.

Academician Guram Aleksidze in his speech gave high evaluation to the chemical and other measurements carried out against the Bug which decreased the number of pests significantly.

The strategy applied against the pest proved to be effective, and the results are much better than we had in this region last year.

The meeting attended also the scientists and managers of National Agency of Food, also the government representatives of Zemo Svaneti and REAP, and the USAID project.