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Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Levan Davitashvili: “As we need professionals in agriculture, the projects that popularize the directions of the field among youth are particularly important”
The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Levan Davitashvili, together with the first Deputy Minister Mr. Giorgi Khanishvili, the representative of the US Department of Agriculture Mr. Demna Dzirkvadze, and the Chairwoman of the association "Farmer of the future" Ms. Rusudan Gigiashvili, awarded the winners of the contest, which aimed to raise youth awareness in agriculture.
„Modern knowledge is essential for the efficient and proper development of agriculture. As we need professionals in agriculture, the projects that popularize field directions among youth are especially appreciated. It is noteworthy to mention the importance of the close cooperation between the Ministry and the US Department of Agriculture, within which several successful projects have been implemented. Among those is current initiative, which aims to hold a contest directed to encourage young people to get interested in agriculture. “- declared Levan Davitashvili.
This contest, with an aim to raise awareness and get youth interested in agriculture, was organized by the association "Farmers of the Future." The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture; the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports; the US Department of Agriculture (USDA); and the University of Fresno, California were the supporters of the contest.
As was mentioned by the chairwoman of "Farmers of the Future," Ms. Rusudan Gigiashvili, a dozen schools across the country participated in the contest.
Participants submitted information on their farms and vegetable gardens, according to their seed selections, nursery materials, their crops, and the type of agrotechnical work that was performed.
Initially, the contest committee considered visiting the gardens and evaluating the participants in place. However, due to the specific regulations related to Covid-19, the procedures were carried out online.
The contest committee identified the winners according to criteria developed by the University of Fresno, California. In the second stage of the contest, 10 participants were selected, out of the 37 applications that were submitted. The competent commission, consisting of Georgian and American experts, revealed three winners of the following nominees:
- "Team Work" - Eco Club "Mai" - 9 students, 9th, 10th, 11th graders, Maradisi Public School of Marneuli Municipality. Crops: lettuce, broccoli.
- "Variety of Vegetables" - 10th grade student - Giorgi Sirbiladze, village of Tortiza, Gori Municipality. Crops: tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkin, cabbage.
- "Most Motivated" - 9th-grade student - Lasha-Giorgi Kuchashvili, Laneuli Public School, Chokhatauri Municipality. Crops - strawberries.
The winners were awarded tablets, book store "Biblusi " vouchers, diplomas, and certificates.