Meeting of the Presidium of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia

  On May 2, 2023, a meeting of the Presidium of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia was held, at which the following issues were discussed:

1. About the implementation of the memorandums signed by the Academy with international and local partner organizations 

Speakers: Acting President of the Academy, Vice-President of the Academy, Academician Givi Japaridze; The main specialist of the Academy, consultant of international programs, grant projects, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor Tamaz Batsikadze; Head of the Academic Department of the Academy, Dr. Marine Barvenashvili. 2. On measures to improve the organization of the Academy's permanent exhibition. 

Speakers: Deputy President of the Academy, Academician Anatoli Giorgadze.

3. Information from the Department of Agricultural Sciences of the Technical University of Georgia

About the scientific-pedagogical work and future plans of the Faculty of Biosystems Engineering in 2022 .

Session of the Scientific Council of the Academy

On April 21, 2023, a session of the Scientific Council of the Academy was held in the conference hall of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

             The dean of the Faculty of Mountain Sustainable Development of STU, Professor Noe Khozrevanidze, who presented to the audience with the topic: Activities of the Faculty of Mountain Development of the Technical University of Georgia (goals, tasks, directions), and Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor Ioseb Sarjveladze, who attended the meeting, delivered a report at the session. Presented topic: Improvement of natural food beds and their stationary use.

Studying at all four priority undergraduate educational programs of the Faculty of Mountain Sustainable Development is fully funded by the state. These programs are: sustainable mountain tourism and hospitality management; Management of organic farming systems in mountainous regions; natural hazards, sustainable environment and protection; Sustainable development of mountain village environment. It is especially important for the Faculty of Mountain Sustainable Development to share international practices and develop a joint model of collaboration with leading European universities. On technical and practical issues, the faculty has already established thematic partnerships with such well-known European universities as: Scottish Highlands and Glaciers University and Italy's UNIMONT  

Regarding the second topic, Mr. Ioseb Sarjveladze spoke at length about ways to improve natural food beds. In particular, he noted that one of the important prerequisites for the development of animal husbandry, increasing its productivity and improving its quality is the creation of a solid food base.  

After the reports, a discussion was held, in which the attending community was actively involved. Academicians: J. Katsitadze, J. Gugushvili, professors M. Kereselidze and G.Maddarashvili, doctors: E.Kalandia and G.Tsofurashvili. It was noted that 1) Technical University of Georgia will solve the problem of shortage of professional staff in the field by training mountain specialists in the future and for the first time in Georgia, it will train sustainable development experts-specialists with mountain knowledge for all services at the regional level; 2) Increasing the yield of food crops is an important reserve of food production, therefore it is necessary to use them rationally, to create cultural pastures - especially on irrigated lands. It is necessary to create a food production development plan, taking into account the natural economic and social factors of Georgia's agricultural specialization zones.

     The work of the scientific council was summarized by the deputy chairman of the council academician J. Gugushvili.

April 22 The Earth International Day

  In the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia, on April 20, 2023, a thematic session dedicated to the International Earth Day was held under the organization of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences.

        The meeting was attended by the learned secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences, Academician Lasha Dolidze, scholarship holders of the Academy: Doctor of Forestry Giorgi Kavtaradze and Doctor of Agriculture Zviad Tiginashvili, Head of the Academic Department of the Academy, Doctor of Agriculture Marine Barvenashvili, leading specialists of the Academy: Keisathevan Chipashvili, Lari Chaika and Marika Mosashvili, as well as invited guests: Head of the Agroforestry Crops Research Service of the Scientific Research Center of Agriculture, Doctor of Agriculture Nana Goginashvili, members of the Council of Young Scientists and Specialists of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences: guest lecturer of Ilia University, forester, ecologist Vasil Metreveli and Economist Bagrat Razmadze, chief specialist of Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia.

Academician of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia Lasha Dolidze opened the session. Today, International Earth Day is celebrated in more than 193 countries, he said spoke about the importance of it, then, the next word for the report was given to forester-ecologist Vasil Metreveli.

After the report, a discussion was held around the presented topic, in which doctors participated: G. Kavtaradze, N. Goginashvili, Z. Tiginashvili. A number of questions were asked by the attending public, to which V. Metrevel gave comprehensive answers.

Academician L. Dolidze summarized the session. He thanked the speaker for the interesting presentation, and the attending public for coming and actively participating in the work of the session. He noted that similar meetings will help to discuss and solve the challenges related to the floodplain forests of Georgia.

Department meeting

On April 20, 2023, the Environmental Protection and Forestry Conference of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia was held.

The session of the science department, at which the following issue was discussed:

1. About the assessment of biomass and carbon accumulation potential of the city of Tbilisi (see the link).

Speakers: Chairman of the Council of Young Scientists and Specialists at the Presidium of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Giorgi Kavtaradze, a scholarship holder of the Academy, Doctor of Forestry; Forestry expert Koba Chiburdanidze.

The Commission for Agrarian Innovations

On April 19, a meeting of the Commission for Agrarian Innovations was held, at which the reports of Gocha Tsofurashvili, Doctor of Economics, founder of IAP "Georgian Gap" and Doctor of Engineering, Chairman of IAP "Green Partnership for Peace" Alexi Noniadze were discussed on the topic: "Program-conceptual model of rural development: Pilot theme - "Village Pasture”.

The second speaker, Dr. Alexi Noniadze, spoke about the peculiarities of the policy of management of lawn mowers at different levels in Eastern European countries. Academicians Givi Japaridze, Nodar Chitanava, Revaz Asatiani and Aleksandre Didebulidze, advisor to the minister Dr. Omar Katcharava, head of the Sustainable Land Management Agency Giorgi Mishveladze, professors Nodar Khatiashvili, Anzor Meskishvili, Nino Nadibaidze participated in the discussion after the report.

The commission determined: to approve the presented report and considering the great work being done in the direction of creating the concept of the national policy of sustainable management of pastures and its discussion by wide circles, as well as to familiarize farmers and specialists with this important document, the so-called An extraordinary meeting of the commission will be held in June, where the mentioned concept will be discussed.

Meeting of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences

On April 12, 2023, a meeting of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia was held, at which the following issues were discussed:

1. About the productivity of the varieties of cypress common in Georgia .

Speaker: Academician Jemal Gugushvili.

2. About the state of environmental pollution caused by domestic animals .

Speaker: Doctor of Agriculture Naira Mamukelashvili

Guests of the Academy

On April 11 of this year, the chief coordinator of the Development and Environment Foundation, Mr. Ioseb Tkemaladze, the chairman, Mr. Teimuraz Tkemaladze, and the executive director, Mr. Gocha Koberidze, paid a business visit to the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia.

The guests were hosted by the Acting President of the Academy, the Vice-President of the Academy, Academician Givi Japaridze, the Deputy President of the Academy, Academician Anatoli Giorgadze, the Head of the Academic Department of the Academy, Dr. Marine Barvenashvili, the Advisor to the Presidium of the Academy, the Coordinator of Scientific Directions, Academician Nodar Chitanavam, Academy of Environmental Protection, Plant Genetics Academician Guram Aleksidze, Academician Guram Aleksidze, Head of Resource and Agro-Biodiversity Coordination Center, Academician Lasha Dolidze, learned secretary of the Academy, and Professor Tamaz Batsikadze, consultant of international programs and grant projects of the Academy.

Among the invited guests were the Chairman of the Council of Young Scientists and Specialists of the Academy, Dr. Giorgi Kavtaradze, Deputy Chairman Dr. Tinatin Epitashvili, Doctors of Biology: Archil Supatashvili and Medea Burjanadze, Doctors of Agriculture: Nana Goginashvili and Zviad Tiginashvili, Deputy Head of the National Forestry Agency Natia Yordanishvili, Forestry Specialists of the field and others.

Mr. Ioseb Tkemaladze and Teimuraz Tkemaladze introduced the purpose of the visit to the Academy to the attending public, which was related to introducing the issues related to the development of Tbilisi's urban forest to specialists and interested persons.

After the presentation, academicians: Nodar Chitanava, Guram Aleksidze expressed their opinion, who welcomed the foundation's initiative to create recreation areas close to wild nature in big cities, where city residents, and not only them, can relax, break from the daily routine and feel the unity of man and nature. In addition, it was emphasized that the importance of the project goes beyond the scope of one specific country and it can cover a much larger space. The deputy head of the National Forestry Agency, Natia Yordanishvili, also gave a speech, who informed the audience about the initiative of the agency to involve the young generation in the promotion of forest protection.

The meeting was summed up by the Acting President of the Academy, Vice-President of the Academy, Academician Givi Japaridze, who noted that the "Karthu" Charitable Foundation has financed a number of good initiatives in the country, among which is the "Tbilisi Urban Forest" project. He approved and positively evaluated the time-consuming and difficult work done by the "Development and Environment" Foundation during the implementation of the project. Then he introduced the activities of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences operating in the Academy to the guests and expressed his readiness to provide assistance and scientifically substantiated recommendations from the field's scientists if necessary.

At the end of the meeting, both parties: the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia and the "Development and Environment" Foundation expressed their desire to sign a memorandum of cooperation.

information

Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia

Presidential election campaign

Designed for highly organized preparation and implementation

See the order on the expert-competition commission at the link.

Presidium session

On April 5, 2023, the meeting of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia was held

Presidium meeting, where the following issues were discussed:

   1. Academician Jemal Katsitadze's report on scientific work performed in 2022. (see link)

2. About the activities of the Academy's scientific journal "Moambi" in 2022. 

Speakers: academician Guram Aleksidze, editor-in-chief of the academic journal "Moambe";

Academician Omar Keshelashvili, responsible secretary of "Moambi" scientific magazine

3. About the activities of the Academy's newsletter "Messenger of the Academy" in 2022. 

Speakers: Academician Givi Japaridze, acting president of the Academy, editor of the Academy's newsletter "Academy's Messenger"; Academician Anatoli Giorgadze, deputy editor of the newsletter "Messenger of the Academy", deputy president of the Academy, responsible secretary, head of the academic department of the Academy, Dr. Marine Barvenashvili.

4. About the status and future prospects of the recommendations, agro-rules, instructions, booklets, brochures and other printed and electronic scientific-information publications issued by the Academy in 2022.

Speakers: Acting President of the Academy, Academician Givi Japaridze; Head of the Academic Department of the Academy, Dr. Marine Barvenashvili.

Conference Announcement

Dear Colleagues,

Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences holds an International Scientific Conference:

“BIODIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL PLANTS AND ANIMALS, THEIR CONSERVATION AND PERSPECTIVES”

Date of the Conference: October 04-06, 2023, Tbilisi, Georgia

The Conference is sponsored by the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia (MG-ISE-23-923)

Working languages of the Conference are: Georgian and English

Address: 51, Ivane Javakhishvili str, 0102, Tbilisi, Georgia.

Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Tel.fax: (+995 32) 291 00 87
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Webpage: www.gaas.dsl.ge

For more information please see below link

On March 22, 2023

Academician of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia, The Doctor of Veterinary Sciences, Professor Tengiz Kurashvili, celebrated 75 years of his birth and 50 years of teaching activity. 

The Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia cordially congratulates Mr. Tengiz Kurashvili on these important dates, wishes him good health, long life, successful scientific, pedagogical and public activities for the benefit of our country.

Council of Young Scientists and Specialists in the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia was held

2nd meeting of the council

On March 30 of this year, the 2nd session of the Council of Young Scientists and Specialists of the Academy was held at the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia. The following reports were heard at the session: 1. "International standards in animal husbandry and the challenges of their implementation in Georgia". Speaker: Dr. Tamar Nozadze, member of the Council of Young Scientists and Specialists of the Academy. 2. "Modern situation and prospects of water resources use in Georgia". Speaker: Dr. Shorena Kupreishvili, member of the Council of Young Scientists and Specialists of the Academy.  

General Assembly of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia

         On March 23, 2023, the General Assembly of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia was convened. Academicians: Aleksidze Guram, Asatiani Revazi, Bagaturia Nugzar, Giorgadze Anatoly, Gugushvili Jemali, Dolidze Lasha, Katsitadze Jemali, Kvaliashvili Vazha, Kvesitadze, Revishvili Temur, Tkemaladze Gurami, Ujmajuridze Levan, Putkaradze Zauri, Kurashvili Tengiz, Chankseliani Zauri, Chkhartishvili Nodari, Tskitishvili Zurab, Chitanava Nodari, Japaridze Givi; The Scholarship owners of the Academy: Benashvili Mamuka, Tughashvili Darejani, Katsitadze Ekaterina, Tiginashvili Zviadi, Kavtaradze Giorgi, Kutelia Giorgi; Invited guests: Dr. Barvenashvili Marine, Head of the Legal Service Karkashadze Tengiz, Leading Specialist of the Academic Department Chaika Larisa, Academy Personnel Inspector Ekaterine Migriauli.  

       The general meeting of the Academy was chaired by the President of the Academy, Academician Guram Aleksidze, the secretary of the meeting was the deputy president, Academician Anatoli Giorgadze. After welcoming the meeting, the chairman of the meeting introduced the agenda, which included the following issues: 1. Regarding the expiration of the credentials of the president of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia, about the acting president of the academy. Speaker: President of the Academy, Academician Guram Aleksidze; 2. The report of the president of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Academician Guram Aleksidze, on the activities of the Academy in 2018-2023; 3. President of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia, Vice-President of the Academy, Academician-Secretary of the Academy, other members of the Presidium of the Academy, Chairman of the Scientific Council of the Academy, Academicians-Secretaries of the Scientific Departments of the Academy, real members (academicians), honorary and foreign members of the Academy . The Speaker: Deputy President, Academician Anatoli Giorgadze; 4. Information about the announcement of the competition for the vacant position of the President of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia. Speaker: Vice-President of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia, Academician Givi Japaridze; 5. On the election of the expert-competition commission for the highly organized preparation and conduct of the election campaign of the president of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia. Speaker: Vice-President of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia, Academician Givi Japaridze; 6. About the authority of members of the Presidium of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia and Academician-secretaries of the scientific departments of the Academy. Speaker: Vice-President of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia, Academician Givi Japaridze; 7. On making partial changes to the statutes of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia. Speakers: Vice-President of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia, Academician Givi Japaridze; Academician Anatoli Giorgadze, Deputy President of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia; Tengiz Karkashadze, head of the legal service of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia; 8. Current issues.  

       At the general meeting of the Academy, in order to increase the awareness of the participants of the meeting, information materials reflecting the work performed by the Academy in 2018-2023 were presented as a document (annual reports of the President of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia on the work performed by the Academy; the international-scientific, refereed journal of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia "Moambe "; Quarterly newsletter "Messenger of the Academy"; Recommendations issued by members of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia in 2018-2023 (88 recommendations; Proceedings of local and international conferences (21 proceedings); Monographs, books and manuals issued by members of the Academy (total 90); memorandums signed with local and foreign scientific research organizations: CACAARI (Association of Scientific Research Organizations of the Central Asian and Caucasian Countries), CGIAR (International Consultative Group for Agricultural Research), FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), ICARDA (Dry International Center for Territorial Agricultural Research), CIMMYT (International Center for Wheat and Maize Breeding), Bioversiti Interneishenel (International Center for Biodiversity). Also, memorandums of cooperation signed by the Academy with educational and scientific-research organizations of Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Kazakhstan, China and South Korea, as well as with the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, the Ministry of Agriculture of Adjara, Batumi, Kutaisi, Near the state and private universities of Akhaltsikhe, Telavi, Gori. The Academy has been successfully cooperating with scientists and researchers of the above-mentioned organizations for years.

     The participants of the general meeting of the Academy especially noted the cooperation of the Academy with the Union of European Academies of Agriculture, Food and Nature Use (UEAA), which the Academy became a member of during the presidency of Academician Guram Aleksidze.

     According to the decision of the general assembly of the Academy, the activities performed by the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences and its president in 2018-2023 were evaluated as positive and successful, and academician Guram Aleksidze was thanked for his fruitful and successful activities during the presidency of the Academy.

         The meeting made a decision on approving Academician Givi Japaridze, the vice-president of the Academy, as acting president until the election of the president of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia (until the end of the election campaign).

March 21, - International Forest Day

 On March 21 of this year, a seminar dedicated to the International Forest Day was held in the meeting hall of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, organized by the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences of the Academy.

The seminar was attended by members of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences: Academician Lasha Dolidze, scholarship holders of the Academy: Doctor of Forestry Giorgi Kavtaradze, Doctor of Agriculture Zviad Tiginashvili; Leading specialists of the Academy: Ketevan Chipashvili and Marika Mosashvili; Invited guests: Head of Agroforestry Crops Research Service of Agricultural Scientific Research Center, Doctor of Agriculture Nana Goginashvili; Agrarian University professors, doctors of biology: Archil Supatashvili and Medea Burjanadze; Dr. Rezo Vasadze, professor of the St. Tbel Abuserisdze Educational University of the Patriarchate of Georgia, Head of the Department of Combating Forest Pests of the Forestry Agency of the State of Georgia, Dr. Rezo Vasadze. 

The seminar was opened by the learned secretary of the scientific departments of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia, academician Lasha Dolidze, who after a short greeting reminded the audience of the prerequisites for establishing the International Forest Day. It was noted that the International Forest Day was established at the 23rd Congress of the United Nations General Assembly. All UN member countries, including Georgia, implement special measures on this day, the purpose of which is to preserve the diversity of forest ecosystems. Academician L. Dolidze and Dr. Rezo Vasadze's delivered speeches, both presenters’ reports aroused great interest from the listeners. A number of questions were asked, to which the speaker gave comprehensive answers.

 The seminar was summarized by the learned secretary of the scientific departments of the Academy, academician Lasha Dolidze. He thanked the speaker for his interesting report, and the attending public for coming and actively participating in the work of the seminar. He noted that such meetings help to discuss problems related to forests in Georgia and to find rational ways to solve them.

On March 17, 2023

 The summary session of the project "A new beginning for opportunities for intersectoral cooperation between science and business

The summary session of the project "A new beginning for opportunities for intersectoral cooperation between science and business" implemented within the framework of the European Union public services twinning project "Supporting opportunities for intersectoral cooperation between research and industry" was held at Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metekhi Palace. Among the invited guests were representatives of enterprises, research institutes, universities, the National Academy of Sciences of Georgia, ministries, embassies, funding agencies, civil society organizations, international projects, and donor organizations.

From the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia, the deputy president of the Academy, academician Anatoli Giorgadze and the learned secretary of the Academy, Dr. Marine Barvenashvili attended the meeting. The beneficiaries were the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia and the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia.

On March 17, 2023, the summary session of the project "A new beginning for opportunities for inter-sectoral cooperation between science and business" implemented within the framework of the European Union public services twinning project "Supporting opportunities for intersectoral cooperation between research and industry" was held at Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metekhi Palace. Among the invited guests were representatives of enterprises, research institutes, universities, the National Academy of Sciences of Georgia, ministries, embassies, funding agencies, civil society organizations, international projects, and donor organizations. From the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia, the deputy president of the Academy, Academician Anatoli Giorgadze and the learned secretary of the Academy, Dr. Marine Barvenashvili attended the meeting. The beneficiaries were the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia and the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia.

Welcome speeches were made by: high-ranking officials of the Mission of Education and Science of Georgia, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in Georgia, as well as the General Director of the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia, Erekle Astakhishvili, and the head of the EU twinning project, Wolfgang Polt. After the greeting, the work of the session continued in the respective panels, where a number of topics were discussed, among them, "The Future of Science Diplomacy"; "Smart Georgia: RTDI ecosystem development"; "Implementing Scientific Priorities: Best Practices and Next Steps".

Commission session at the National Academy of Sciences of Georgia

Scientific Department of Natural Disasters of the National Academy of Sciences of Georgia

Session of the Commission for Studying Problems

     On March 7, 2023, the first session of the Commission for the Study of Scientific Problems of Natural Disasters of the National Academy of Sciences of Georgia was held at the National Academy of Sciences of Georgia. The session was attended by: members of the commission for studying scientific problems of natural disasters of the National Academy of Sciences of Georgia, professors of the Technical University of Georgia, employees of the Institute of Aquaculture of Tsotne Mirtskhulava and members of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia: academicians Lasha Dolidze and Aleksandre Didebulidze.

The meeting was opened by the Vice-President of the National Academy of Sciences of Georgia, Academician R. Khurodze. He noted that in the recent period natural disaster processes have been activated all over the world and in Georgia as well, the results of which have been intensified even more by immature anthropogenic actions. From the point of view of ensuring an effective response to natural hazards, it is of great importance to organize activities for their prevention and liquidation of the consequences caused by them. Therefore, it is particularly relevant to promote the effective functioning of the natural disaster risk management system and to prepare the population itself on the issues of protecting the population from natural disasters and to raise their level of awareness from this point of view. Academician T. Chelidze and the professor of the Faculty of Mining and Geology of the Technical University of Georgia O. Kutsnashvili, who paid special attention to measures aimed at reducing the risk of natural disasters. 

Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Georgia, The Director of Mirtskhulava Institute of Aquaculture, the Chairman of the Commission for the Study of Scientific Problems of Natural Disasters of the National Academy of Sciences of Georgia, Academician Givi Gavardashvili, who thanked the members of the commission for coming and actively participating in the work of the session. Acad. Gavardashvili expressed hope that the commission will conduct its work efficiently and productively, and Georgian scientists will spare no effort to prevent the country from the great danger and material losses associated with natural disasters by introducing new approaches and innovations.

March 3 - World Wildlife Day

      On March 2, 2023, a thematic session dedicated to World Wildlife Day was held in the conference hall of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, organized by the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences of the Academy. The session was attended by the deputy president of the Academy, coordinator of scientific departments, Academician Anatoli Giorgadze, learned secretaries of the scientific departments of the Academy: Academician Lasha Dolidze and Doctor of Agriculture Marine Barvenashvili, scholarship holder of the Academy, Doctor of Agriculture Zviad Tiginashvili, as well as invited guests: Doctors of Biology: Professor and Medea Burjanadze Archil Supatashvili, PhD candidate Natalia Kharabadze.

Academician Lasha Dolidze opened the session and addressed the audience with a welcome speech. He noted that it is the duty of each of us to take care of wild nature, especially today, when many species of animals are becoming extinct every year due to the often ill-advised actions of man all over the world. Georgia is a country distinguished by its biodiversity. He needs to be warned, because otherwise we may face an irreparable fact. Academician L. Dolidze also spoke about the traditions, which have been established for years in the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences of the Academy, in connection with the events dedicated to the World Wildlife Day. Then he gave a speech to Doctor of Biology, Professor Medea Burjanadze, who presented to the audience with a report: "The first Georgian microbiological preparation Bover-Ge for the control of harmful insects".

The speaker noted that the presented drug was created on the basis of a local strain of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. An information booklet has been prepared for the new bio-pesticide, which will provide information to farmers and interested parties. Boypesticide Bower-G is cheaper than imported drugs of a similar type, adapted to local conditions, effective against harmful insects (successful in 70-90% of cases), characterized by a long-term pesticidal action for agricultural, decorative, forestry, greenhouse, water, human and disease Against vector-borne insects against above-ground and soil-dwelling pests. It is safe, it ensures the production of ecologically clean and organic products, it is not toxic, it is safe for people and the environment, it does not have side effects.

Academician Lasha Dolidze summed up the session, who thanked the attending public for coming and actively participating in the work of the session.

The Memory of Meritorious Scientist - Academician Elguja Shapakidze

     The Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia announces with deep sadness that the meritorious scientist, teacher, true member of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia, Academician, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Academician-Secretary of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia, Head of the Academic Department of the Academy, Professor Elguja Shapakidze, has passed away.

Mr. Elguja Shapakidze was born in the city of Tbilisi on August 20, 1942 in the family of a servant. In 1958, he graduated with honors from Tbilisi Ivane Javakhishvili Secondary School No. 53 (former Boys' Secondary School No. 7) and started working as a foreman at the Tbilisi electric locomotive factory, where he worked until 1962. At the same time, in 1959, he enrolled at the Faculty of Agricultural Mechanization of the Agricultural Institute of Georgia, which he graduated with honors in 1965 and was awarded the qualification of a mechanical engineer.

     After graduating from the institute, he left to work as a senior designer in the problem laboratory of "Vineyard laborious works" of the Agricultural Institute of Georgia. In 1968, Mr. Elguja was enrolled as a graduate student of the Department of Soil Cultivation Machines and Tools of the Agricultural Institute of Georgia. In 1972, he defended his candidate's thesis on the topic: "Mechanization of soil cultivation in the storage lane of the vineyard" and was awarded the scientific degree of Candidate of Technical Sciences.

In 1966-1967, he completed mandatory military service and was a reserve captain.

     In 1974, he was elected by a competition as the head of the mechanization department at the teaching-research faculty of sericulture of the Agricultural Institute of Georgia.

   In 1978, he was awarded the scientific title of senior scientific worker.

   In 1981, Mr. Elguja was appointed as the deputy dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Mechanization, and in 1987, by the decision of the scientific council of the institute, he was elected as the dean of the same faculty, where he worked until 2005.

     In 1985, he was awarded the scientific rank of docent, and in 1993 - professor.

   In 1994, Mr. Elguja defended his doctoral thesis on the topic: "Mechanization of time-consuming technological processes of sericulture" and was awarded the scientific degree of Doctor of Technical Sciences.

   In 1995, he was elected as a corresponding member of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia, and in 2015 as a full member (academician).

   In 1997, Mr. Elguja was elected as an Academician of the International Academy of High School Science;

In 2004-2009, he was elected as the academician-secretary of the engineering department of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia.

     In the period of 2005-2007, Mr. Elguja worked as a professor of the Department of Soil Cultivation and Construction Machinery of the State Agricultural University of Georgia and as the head of the quality assurance service of the university.

   From 2006 to 2013, he was elected to the academic position of a full professor at the State Agrarian University of Georgia (now the Agrarian University of Georgia) in the direction of agricultural mechanization.

In 2011, he was elected as a full member - Academician of the Engineering Academy of Georgia.

     During his work at the university, he was actively engaged in teaching-pedagogical and scientific-research activities. In 1998-2005, he was the chairman of the Engineering Dissertation Council of the State Agrarian University of Georgia.

     Since 2012, he has been the coordinator of BACSA, the United Nations Sericulture Association in Georgia.

   From January 4, 2013 until the last day, Mr. Elguja Shapakidze worked in the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia as the head of the academic department, academician - secretary of the Academy.

   He was actively involved in scientific research activities. He has published 283 scientific works, including 8 monographs, 8 manuals, 13 recommendations, received 10 copyright certificates, 8 invention patents, 6 rationalizing proposals.

     Under his guidance, 4 dissertations for obtaining the degree of technical sciences and two dissertations for obtaining the academic degree of doctor have been defended. He has participated in many local and international scientific conferences, symposiums and congresses.

         In 1988, Mr. Elguja was awarded the "Labor Veteran" medal. In 1999 he was awarded the "Order of Honor" by the order of the President of Georgia, in 2006 he was awarded the honorary title of "Engineer of the Year". In 2016, his paper "Georgian silk production - problems, rehabilitation, revival" was awarded the prize of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia for the best paper in the agricultural field. In 2017, he was awarded with an honorary certificate of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences for his achievements in the field of agro-engineering.

         In the form of Academician Elguja Shapakidze, Georgian agricultural science has lost a renowned scientist and teacher, respectable and worthy person whose name will remain forever in the memory of his friends, colleagues and students.