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

The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture hosted the students of the Cornell University SC Johnson College of Business, New York.

The Minister introduced guests with the state policy embracing agricultural and environmental directions and brought forward achieved results and planned activities with the main focus on the priority of the green economy.

The Minister highlighted measures taken by the Ministry to raise public awareness in the fields of environmental protection, issues to increase an access to information on the environment, web portal - through which citizens get air quality information online.

The importance of environmental standards to get closer to the European standards and the process of promoting convergence of Georgia’s legislation with the EU environmental legislation is being successfully implemented was stressed by Levan Davitashvili, who also reviewed the development of organic agriculture and production of organic, ecologically pure bio-products in the country and noted, that soil and climate in Georgia is good to plant and grow a number of different agricultural crops.

The participants were focused on the importance of ongoing and current projects aiming development of wine industry, increasing public awareness and appreciation of Georgian wine in the international markets.

The Minister introduced guests with the winemaking tradition with its 8000 years of continuous history in Georgia and drew his attention to the unique rare varieties of Georgian vine, ancient tradition of clay vessel ( Qvevri ) wine making, which is included in the UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Levan Davitashvili informed guests about vineyards cadastre program implemented by the National Wine Agency to promote viticulture and winemaking field, national regulations concerning protected designations of origin and geographical indications and other activities and measures taken to boost the popularity of winery sector.

The meeting was comprised of Q&A sessions. The students thanked the Minister for an interesting meeting. The Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Khatia Tsilosani attended the meeting.