Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia

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Yuri Nozadze meets with the International Expert on Plant Genetic Resources, Petra Engel.

The Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Yuri Nozadze, met with the international expert on plant genetic resources, Mrs. Petra Engel.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the ongoing project " "Strengthening linkages between in situ/on-farm and ex-situ conservation of local PGRFA from Georgia and use for adaptation to climate change’’.

Mr.Yuri Nozadze emphasized the importance of restoration-conservation of plant genetic resources, underlining the role of the Agricultural Scientific Research Center of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture in this process.

‘’The Scientific Research Center of Agriculture is actively exploring, safeguarding, and conserving genetic resources. Within the framework of the mentioned project,  effective cooperation towards the conservation of plant genetic resources is an essential support for us in the process of fulfilling international obligations ", - noted Mr. Yuri Nozadze.

According to Mrs. Petra Engel, Georgia has made significant progress by joining the "International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture", which, along with the project, will contribute to the protection and management of the rich plant genetic resources of the country.

In line with conducting training and organizing expeditions for collecting genetic resources, the project is mainly focused on returning genetic resources of plants of Georgian origin from international Gene banks, geomorphological assessment of the material obtained, and supporting farmers and scientists to access the national, high quality, accurately identified seed material.

It is worth mentioning that the project is implemented with the financial support of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The Director of the Scientific Research Center of Agriculture, Mr. Levan Ujmajuridze, and the representatives of relevant services attended the meeting at the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.