On April 5-8, 2016, in Johannesburg (South Africa), the third global forum of GCARD3 of agrarian researches was held. The GCARD3 was preceded by agrarian forums organized in different regions where the regional local problems – the main directions in agrarian sector were discussed. The GAAS President G. Aleksidze, the member of the Board of “Global forum”, and the head of CACAARI, participated in the forum.

The first day of GCARD3 was dedicated to the meeting of partners of “Global forum”, which discussed the final version of the Global Forum Charter. The conference continued working in five sections: Researches and final goals, demonstration of the results; the future of agrarian science, developing sustainable agribusiness, the better future of the village.
The second day was dedicated to the discussion of the work carried out by the South Africa Agrarian Research Center. The main directions of the Center are: plant and animal breeding, (a new breed of fruit, such as peach, apple and other, and donor for new breed of wheat is Georgian Makha), plant protection from diseases and pests where the priority is given to biological methods. Also the researches are carried out to find the method which will help to reduce the negative effects of climate, and other. The Forum participants had excursions in the gene-bank of the Center which is equipped with the modern technologies. The last day was dedicated to sum up the results of the Forum. The next meting - CARD4 will be held after two years.
About 500 researchers, representatives of non-governmental organizations, farmers, women organizations and specialists took part in the forum. Mariam Jorjadze, the director of Biological association “Ulkana” also took part in the forum. G. Aleksidze and M. Jorjadze participated in Round Table discussions and expressed their opinion.

Photo: Acad. G. Aleksidze with the representatives of International Forum. April 5-8. Johannesburg, South Africa.

The publishing house “Agro”, as a part of the structure of the GAAS was founded upon the order of its President G. Aleksidze and in full accordance with Georgian regulation.
The goal of the unit is to organize publishing and editing activities which will provide a solid foundation for scientific and economic potential of the Academy. To achieve the goal the “Agro” aims to fulfill the following aims:
- Provide the basis for the new style and vision in editorial work which will be in full correspondence with the market demands through close cooperation with Georgian and foreign scientists and experts;
- Editorial work will be directed towards producing targeted scientific, methodological, popular and applied type of product, also it will offer to the customers study materials, information, recommendations, consulting and other types of product;
- Publish targeted an materials in the field of agriculture;
- Define the strategy, profile, specific aspects, style of work and forms, also topics and structure;

     On March 25, 2016, the Academic Council of GAAS elected some new members. These are Dr. Levan Ujmajuridze, the Director of Scientific-research Center of Agriculture, and Dr. Anatoli Giorgadze, the Deputy of the President of GAAS, the Coordinator of Scientific Departments at the Academy. The GAAS Scientific Council congratulates the new members with the election and wishes productive and successful creative work for the progress of our country.

     On March 22, 2016, the President of Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences Acad. Guram Aleksidze, Head of Academic Department Acad. E. Shapakidze, Deputy President, Dr. A. Giorgadze and Assistant of the President T. Epitashvili visited Kutaisi Akaki Tsereteli University. The purpose of the visit was to monitor the fulfillment of the obligations which the parties undertook within the framework of the Memorandum. The problem of utilization of the existed scientific potential in development of agriculture was also one of the key issues to be discussed during the meeting.

     From the left. Prof. Kintsurashvili, Prof. R. Kopaliani, G. Ghavtadze, Acad. G. Aleksidze, Acad. E. Shapakidze, Dr. A. Giorgadze.From the side of the guest University the following persons took part in the meeting: The Rector of the University G. Ghavtadze, Deputy Rector of Agrarian Direction Prof. R. Kopaliani, the students of Agrarian Department, the professors, lecturers and scientists. The meeting was opened by the Rector of the University Prof. Ghavtadze who spoke about the significance of cooperation between the two units, the role of active cooperation between the scientists and participation of the agrarian department of the University in local and international scientific forums.

    Acad. Aleksidze delivered a long and interesting speech regarding the scientific researches conducted by the members of the Academy and the international cooperation with the partners in different parts of the world, such as South Korea, Poland, Czech Rep, Kazakh, Uzbek and other countries, as well as with Ajara Ministry of Agriculture and the leading universities of the country. The presenter also mentioned publishing activities and the Farmers’ Assistance Programs piloted by the Academy. The audience was informed about the process of implementing the activities outlined by the existed Memorandum.

     In the discussion held round the abovementioned problems the following persons took part: Prof. R. Kopaliani, Prof. K. Kintsurashvili, the Head of Agrarian Department R. Lortkipanidze, and others. The speakers were unanimous to acknowledge the significance of the meeting and concluded that on the following meeting planned to be held in April, the Vice Rector, R. Kopaliani will present a report on the work carried out by the Agrarian Department.