On October 16 – 23, 2016, Dr. N. Kakabadze, Department Head of Scientific- Research Center of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Coordinator of International Relations T. Epitashvili visited South Korea, the aim of which was to exchange plant genetic resources, and discussion of cooperation in the field of management and research.

The Center of Agro-diversity is located in the city Jeonju where the Gen-plasma Bank of plant resources is located. The duplicates are kept in city of Suon. The Gene-bank has in store about 280 species of plants. Georgian researchers visited laboratory of molecular genetics, Research Institute of Horticulture, and Agriculture Scientific Center.

The guests from Georgia were invited to the island of Jeju, where the Institute of Climate Change and Agricultural Scientific Research Institute are located.

The visit was very informative and fruitful as the guests got important information regarding the innovations in the field and strengthened the mutually beneficial scientific and practical relationships between two countries. They took from Georgia about 100 accessions of vegetables and fruit, also greens and legume crop samples. (supported with necessary documentation). These are:

 1. Fhaseolus Vulgaris L-  beens ( 18 accessions)

2. Melongena – Aubergine ( 3)

3. Anethum Graveolens L – dill

4. Lycopersicum esculentum Mill –   Potato ( 11 )

5. Allium cepa L –  onion (10)

6. Cucurbita Pepo L – hard skin pumpkin

7. Cucurbita Moschita Duch – sweet pumpkin (2 )

8. Brassica Capitata Lizg(Likani) – cabbage ( 1 )

9. Cucumis Sativus (Nejini) – cucumber  (12)

10. Anethum  sp. – dill ( 4 )

11. Daucus  Carota L  (Nantis) –  carrot (3 )

12. Beta Vulgaris  L (Bordo) – beetroot ( 2)

13. Apium graveolens – celery  (3)

14. Petroselium crispum -   parsley  (5 )

15. Crocus sativus – saffron (3 )

16. Lepidium sativum L.-    cress (1 )

1. 1.17. Trigonella -  spice/ trigonella  (4 )

18. Mayz -  vegetable corn  (5 )

19. Pea -   pea ( 2 )

20. Green –   orchard green  (1 )

21. Raphanus – radish  (1 )

22. Cuminum - cyminum - 2

23. Vicia faba -  horse been ( 4 )

From South Korea gene fund center within the project 105 species of vegetables have been delivered and in-vitro plants. Some of them will be tested on the testing plot of scientific-research Center. The species which will be identified as perspective ones will be selected and needed documentation will be prepared to be passed to Sakpatent. They will be registered and distributed in different regions. The Georgian Bank of gene plasma will be enriched with new specimens and kept in gene bank.  These are the following samples delivered from South Korea: 1. Brassica juncea , 2 Capsicum annuum L. , 3. Cucumis melo , 4. Raphanus sativus L. ; 5. Brassica rapa subsp. Pekinensis ; 6. Lactuca sativa L. ; 7. Spinacia oleracea .

In June- July 2016, an expedition was organized by Georgian and Korean scientists in the following regions of Georgia: Kartli, Kakheti, Mtskheta-Teaneti, Marneuli, Bolnisi where the accessions of vegetable, greens, legumes and orchard,  also vine seed materials were selected. These materials will be kept in Korea, gene-bank of Center of Agro-bio-diversity. 

The following cultures were sent to Korea:  119 accessions

1.     Vegetables – 119 accessions;

2.    Orchard– 72 accessions;

3.     legumes – 129;

4.    Greens – 157;

5.     Cereals – 7

6.    Vine – 70

Gene- bank laboratory: President of GAAS assistant, T. Epitashvili , and Dr. Nato Kakabadze.

 On Dec 14, 2016, a meeting of the Scientific Department of Forest Studies was held. The Vice President of GAAS, Academician Givi Japaridze awarded with Certificates of Honor issued by Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the distinguished researchers and specialists of the field for their exceptionally fruitful work carried out in forestry.

The following persons were awarded with the Certificates of Honor:

• Academician Revaz Chagelishvili,  Department of Forest Studies, GAAS
• Dr. Teumuraz Kandelaki – Prof. Agrarian University of Georgia
• Dr. Prof. Levan Gvazava
• Merab Dvali – Author of Law on Forest, Forest studies distinguished specialist
• Dr. Prof. Tamaz Turmanidze, - Cacdemician of GAAS
• Dr. Prof. Giorgi Gagoshidze – learnd secretary of Forest Studies.
• Dr. Lasha Dolidze
• Dr. Merab Machavariani – The Head of Dep, Ministry of Environment and Natural resources Protection.
• Dr. Zviad Tiginashvili – The Head of Dep. Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection.
• Tornike Gvazava – Head of Forest Agency, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection.
• lasha Moistsrapishvili – Head of Dep. , Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Rehabilitation and Protection.
• Dr. Giorgi Kavtaradze – Director, Forest protection Institute, Georgian Agrarian University
• Dr. Archil Supatashvili -  project director, Georgian Agrarian University
• Dr. Anzor Meskhishvili
• Dr. Akaki Panchulize – Tbilisi State University
• Dr. Asso. Prof. Valeri Mchedlishvili – Georgian Technical University
• Dr. Nino Lomidze - Georgian Technical University
• Nugzar Berejiani – Consultant of the head of  Georgian Agency of Forestry.

Regional  Consulting  on Agriculture Electronic management in Central Asia and South Caucasus Region. Kirgiz Republic, Dec, 7-9, 2016, hotel - City Hotel

In Dec. 2016, t. Bishketi, Regional  Consulting  on agriculture electronic management in Central Asia and South Caucasus Region, was held.  The Vice -president of GAAS, a coordinator of scientific work, Anatoli Giorgadze participated in the event. He presented the paper “The measures taken by Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences in the direction and implementation of electronic management of the information in agriculture.”

Consulting Meeting was opened by Nurbek Murashev, Minister of Agriculture, Food Industry and Melioration Ministry of Kirgiz Republic. Geoge Kinley, an official representative of FAO in Kirgizstan delivered an opening speech.     

The Consulting Session lasted three days and followed the program presented below.

1.The opportunities of utilizing information technologies in agriculture;

The presenter – Dr. Botir Dosov, Coordinator of CAC_FRAS and CACAARI in Central Asia and South Caucasus

2.Sharing the goals of the Consulting with the participants.

Consultations conducted by the Central and East Europe experts on using electronic agriculture strategies.

Presenter: Nevena Aleksandrova-Stefanova FAO representative in Budapest.

3.Presentation of components and processes of the strategy – questions and answers.

Presenter: Dr. Botir Dosov - Coordinator of CAC_FRAS and CACAARI in Central Asia and South Caucasus.

4.Using information technologies in Azerbaijan.

Presenter: Vugar Babaev – NGO – “ Association of Ganja Agribusiness.

5.Georgian regional development opportunities with the help of communication technologies.

Presenter: Nino Popkhadze – NGO “ Georgian Farmers Association”.

6.Mobile application for agribusiness.

Presenter: Makhinakhon Suleimanova, Tajikstan.

7.CARD agriculture consulting service in Armenia.

Presenter: Arman Khojoian – NGO – “ CARD”.

8.Agro Web activity in Uzbekistan.

Presenter: Iroda Rustamova, Uzbeketi.

9.The opportunities of developing information technologies in agriculture of Kazakheti agro-industrial complex;

Presenter: Nurlan Mukhamedjanov.

10.GAAS activities in developing and disseminating electronic agriculture.

Presenter: GAAS Deputy president, Head of Scientific Department,  Anatoli Giorgadze. 

11.Scientific- Marketing Center: Ailmaalimat” .

Presenter: Sergei Semionov, Ministry of Agriculture, Food Industry and Melioration Kirgiz Republic.

 Presenter: Bekjan Mamitov.

13.   Presenter: Dr. Botir Dosov - Coordinator of CAC_FRAS and CACAARI in Central Asia and South Caucasus.

14.The results of the first three days: the key points.

Facilitator: Nevena Aleksandrova-Stefanova FAO representative in Budapest offfice.

15.Current state of electronic agriculture implementation in the Central and East Europe countries. Examples of the experience.

Facilitator: Nevena Aleksandrova-Stefanova FAO representative in Budapest offfice.

16.The analysis of strong and weak sides, as well as of risks and opportunities of using communication technologies in

Facilitator: Nevena Aleksandrova-Stefanova FAO representative in Budapest offfice.

17.Working in Groups: Central Asia and South Caucasus Groups – what are the main concepts and how could they be formulated.

18.Working in two sub-regional groups: South Caicasus, and Central Azia.

   Facilitator: Dr. Botir Dosov - Coordinator of CAC_FRAS and CACAARI in Central Asia and South Caucasus

19.presentations of the group work.

20.Technical tasks for group work. Working in group “A” – Agricultural studies.

21.Facilitator: Alish Tashmanov CACAARI general director.

      On Dec. 5, 2016, at Georgian Academy of Agricultural  Sciences a scientific conference dedicated to International Day of Soil Protection was held. The heads of the scientific departments, academicians, invited guests, the staff of the Academy attended the conference.

The scientific conference was opened by Vice President of the Academy Acad. Givi Japaridze who spoke about the role of the soil protection in sustainable development of world agriculture and the safe future of the world population.

The panel presentation was delivered by the academician Gogola Margvelashvili on the topic: “The Quiet Crisis of the Planet – the Risk of Food Shortage”.  Significant scientific papers were delivered by professors, Doctors of agricultural sciences R. Makharoblidze and T. Kruashvili; G. Gagoshidze and Z. Bukia. After the presentations a discussion was held between the conference participants.

At the end of the event, The Vice President of the Academy Acad. Givi Japaridze thanked the participants for their interesting presentations, also delivered honorable Certificates to the scientists working in the field of soil protection many years who had made an important input into the development of the filed in Georgia. Those were the academicians, professors of the Academy: G. Margvelashvili, J. Oniani, V. Tsanava, Z. Chakseliani, T. Urushadze and to the representatives of Georgian Agrarian University.