On December 18, 2019, a Meeting of Agrarian Innovations was held. The presenters were the representatives of Georgian National Platform of Clusters Nodar Dzidzikashvili and Koba Kikabidze who delivered a lecture on: “The Conditions and Opportunities of Development of Economic Clusters in Georgia”.

A number of strategic documents regarding agricultural policy in Georgia has been set up in our country and they are in the process of discussion, such as : “The Strategy of Agriculture and Rural Development in 2021- 2027”.

The Document does not give the perspectives which may be provided by a new business organizational forms, such as clusters, agro-logistical platforms, and technological hubs.

Globalization encompasses all spheres of economic production, therefore Georgian producers could be also be involved in this network which will enhance the acquisition of new technologies and business management methods.

The Clusters also support employment opportunities, transfer of knowledge and technologies.

Because there is no political or legislative basis for the development of clusters in our country at present, it has started to develop - “Bottom - up” without little involvement of the Government. The main initiators are non-governmental organizations and business, though, in some cases the businessmen involved in cluster structures are not aware of the essence of the structure and do not have a clear understanding about the importance of its membership.

The clusters were presented at the meeting on the example of Bolnisi Municipality; and the focus was made on logistically integrated clusters of wine, essential oil, and other.

“Georgian National Platform of Clusters” in 2018 registered two Georgian clusters – Tourism and Tuberculosis Treatment on European Clusters Collaborative Platform. They both were awarded with Bronze Certificates and were located on European Map of Clusters.

On December 18, 2019, at Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, a Memorandum of Collaboration was signed between the Academy and Rapael Dvali Institute of Machine Mechanics.

The Memorandum was signed by Academician, the President of GAAS Guram Aleksidze, and– the Director, Academician of Georgian National Academy Tamaz Natriashvili from the side of the Institute.

The subject of the Memorandum is collaboration between the sides based on mutual understanding and respect. The goal of the collaboration is to work jointly within their functions and competences for the purpose of introducing some innovations and implementing new technologies.

The main objectives of the Memorandum is to set up joint working groups, coordinate scientific- research work and exchange information; within the frame of the memorandum, the sides also envisage to hold joint symposiums and conferences; offer support in consulting and testing of the new product.

The Memorandum is in force for five years; in case any problem emerges, the changes could be introduced in the document based on mutual agreement.

A ceremony of signing the Memorandum was attended by Abas Aliev, Director of Institute of Cybernetics, Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, Dr. Anatoli Giorgadze, Deputy President of GAAS, and Academician Aleksandre Didebulidze.

The Memorandum was signed by Guram Aleksidze, and Tamaz Natriashvili. A ceremony of signing the Memorandum was attended by Abas Aliev, Director of Institute of Cybernetics, Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, Dr. Anatoli Giorgadze, Deputy President of GAAS, and Academician Aleksandre Didebulidze.

From the left Academician Guram Aleksidze, and Academician Tamaz Natriashvili after signing the Memorandum

On December 6-7, 2019, in the capital of Check Republic, Prague, at the Academy of Agricultural Sciences, a Meeting of the Supervisory Board of the Union of European Academies for Science applied to Agriculture, Food and Nature was organized.

The Boards Meeting attended the presidents of the Academies of the EU Academies and the Chairmen of Supervisory Boards.

The meeting discussed the following; the issues regarding the activities of the Academy, in particular, organizational problems of the International Conference to be held in Georgia in 2020, September 24-27, hosted by Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences on the topic: “Agricultural Mechanization in Europe and Perspectives”. Academician, Guram Aleksidze made a presentation on this topic.

The Meeting also stated that the next gathering of the Supervisory Board of the Union of European Academies for Science applied to Agriculture, Food and Nature will be organized in Brussels, Belgium, during which the problems associated with teaching and training of the members of the Union in agriculture, and implementation of new technologies will be addressed.

In Brussels, the members of the Union and Supervisory Board will also hear information about the organization process and the preparedness of Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences to conduct the International conference in Tbilisi, September 2020, on a high organizational and scientific level.

The Meeting of Supervisory Board of the Union of Academies was attended by the presidents of the Academies of the EU Academies and the Chairmen of Supervisory Boards.

A group of the participants: Supervisory Board of the Union of Academies and the presidents of the Academies
of the EU Academies. Prague, December 7, 2019.

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.