On March 21, 2019, the Department of Forest Studies organized at GAAS a Round Table meeting dedicated to International Day of Forests.

Among invited guests were BA, MA students of Forest Studies, Technical University. Key presenters were Academician Secretary Revaz Chagelishvili, and Professor Giorgi Gagoshiodze, a Learned Secretary of GAAS Forest Study Department.

Academician Secretary Revaz Chagelishvili talked about the foundation of International Forest day, 2017 which is celebrated all over the world. The initiator was European Confederation on the 23^rd General Assembly and was supported by Food and Agricultural organization ( FAO).

Academician R. Chagelishvili told the students about the function and role of forests in terms of ecology, sociology and economy. It plays a significant role in climate formation and generates water resources; it is a source of humans, animals and plants’ life. Georgian forests play imprtant role in sustainable development of our country in all respect.

Professor Giorgi Gagoshidze told the students about the founders of forest sciences in Georgia and discussed the priorities connected with forest protection and further development of forest management and scientific studies in Georgia.

The Awards of Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences for the best researches, conducted in 2018

       On Decision of the Presidium of GAAS (Minutes #2, February 22, 2019), granting of the Awards for fundamental, applied and educational researches in Agrarian sciences was approved.

     GAAS 2018 Awards for the best fundamental, applied and educational researches in Agrarian sciences was granted to the following scholars:

   1.   0101 – Agronomy – “Subtropical Cultures” – a text book; Author Revaz Jabnidze

   2.   0103 – Animal Husbandry – “Atlas of Georgian Pastures and Grazing meadows”. – Applied research. Author Iosef Sarjveladze;

   3.     0104 - Food Technologies – “ Food Safety” - a text book; Author Ketevan Laperashvili;

   4.   0105 – Forest Studies – “ Materials for Inventory of Rare Forest Tree Species”. Applied research. Authors Nana Goginashvili, Irina Tvauri, Zurab Manvelidze;

   5.   020305 – Agrobusiness management “ Management Economy” - a text book; Authors: Eteri Kharaishvili, Marina Chavleishvili, Nino Damenia, Tsira Mikatadze;

   6.   0415 – Agro engineering “ Exploitation of machine and tractor park” – a text book. Authors Zaur Putkaradze, Roman Margalitadze, Merab Mamuladze.

       The Presidium of Georgian Academy of Agricultural Science congratulates the winners of 2018 Scientific Awards and wishes success in their future scientific work.  

         On March 20, 2019, a meeting dedicated to Innovations in Agrarian Sciences took place in GAAS; Key presentation on: “ Export of agro-food products: entering new markets” was delivered by Dr. Fatima Mamardashvili, Professor of Javakhishvili University, Head of Agrarian Policy Research Center of International School of Economics, Georgia.

          The presenter talked about export product tendences and give comparative analysis of competitive markets in agrarian sector. She also offered some recommendations regarding new policy and strategy in agrarian product marketing, and marked the necessity of conducting further research work in the field.

          The meeting attended the members of the Commission, the representatives of the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture, invited experts from “Sakpatent” and “Techinform”, the university professors, young researchers and students.

The speeches were delivered by Academician N. Chitanava, Consultant of the Presidium of the Academy, Gocha Tsopurishvili, Expert in agrarian and regional issues, Academician-Secretary P. Koghuashvili, also, Academicians E. Shapakidze and N. Baghaturia; Merab Kutsia - Head of Sakpatent; Archil Bukia, Deputy Director, Agency for Agricultural Projects; Professor Tsotne Samadashvili, Head of Grain Culture Research Office, Ministry of Agriculture; Dr. Nikoloz Kiknavelidze, Head of Mtskheta Tianeti Regional Service Center, and other persons who expressed their opinion around the problem and also thanked the speaker for interesting presentation.

          The Head of the Center, Academician A. Didebulidze in his closing speech thanked host organization and expressed his believe that the cooperation between the two entities will be enhanced in future because it is important to apply joint effort to raise awareness towards Georgian Agrarian product and sustain its enter into international market. Therefore, working on the problem of market promotion of Georgian agrarian product should continue.

           At the end, the Meeting adopted some important resolutions regarding the stated problem.

On March 19, 2019, the representatives of Shota Rustaveli Scientific Foundation visited Academy of Agricultural Sciences: General Director Zviad Gabisonia and Depity Director Jaba Samushia. The President of the Academy Guram Aleksidze greeted the guests together with the Academy staff members.

Academician Guram Aleksidze in his welcoming speech emphasized the importance of the meeting considering that the GAAS staff members actively participate in the scientific contests declared by the Foundation. Scientific Conferences organized by GAAS since 2013 – till present have been financially supported by the Foundation. This is a very vivid example of the important projects carried out in cooperation with the foundation.

General Director of the Foundation shared with the meeting participants the information about the innovations and financing envisaged for 2019 in the field of research and science. He also mentioned that one of the major directions in the work of the Foundation will be a support of agricultural projects and the priority will be given to agrarian specialists.

The parties discussed future perspectives of partnership and close cooperation prospects in future. Mr Gabisonia and Samushia answered the questions of the members of host organization.

The following persons took active part during the discussion: Academicians: N. Chitanava, E. Shapakidze, O. Keshelashvili, and Dr. R. Asatiani.  

In their speeches, the importance of the Foundation in development of agrarian sciences was stated. Also they spoke about prioritized programs in agrarian sciences and methodology of study.

At the end of the meeting, G. Aleksidze thanked the guests for coming and sharing the problems the Academy faces today in this respect. He expressed hope that mutually beneficial cooperation between the Academy and the Foundation will successfully continue.