The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture marks World Soil Day

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture marks World Soil Day

The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Otar Shamugia delivered opening remarks at the World Soil Day event.

Mr. Shamugia spoke extensively about the need to raise public awareness of the importance and protection of soil and emphasized the measures implemented by the Ministry for the adoption of the principles for sustainable soil management.

''As you are well aware, rational soil management is directly linked to food security, which is a critical challenge to the global community. Against the background of climate change, soil degradation is an alarming issue. In this respect, raising young qualified specialists is crucial for the country. I believe that with joint efforts, we will be able to ensure soil protection", stated the Minister.
During the event, the Vice Prime Minister of Georgia, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Mr. Levan Davitashvili addressed the participants. In his speech, the Vice PM emphasized the importance of strengthening the country's economy by maintaining soil fertility.
Among the invited guests was the President of the National Academy of Sciences of Georgia, Mr. Giorgi Kvesitadze, who underlined the role of soil diversity in the country while addressing the audience.

"We have 29 types of soil-climatic zones and 14 types of soils in this small country, that might be compared to the soil diversity in Europe, which embraces 34 types of soils and 780 million people. The above-mentioned issues underline the uniqueness of our country'' said Mr. Giorgi Kvesitadze.

Within the framework of the event, successful young specialists employed in the public, private and non-governmental sectors of the agricultural sector, students of higher educational institutions, and researchers working in the scientific research sector were awarded the Certificates of Honor named after one of the Founders of the Mikheil Sabashvili Institute of Soil Sciences in Georgia, Academician Mr. Tengiz (Gizo) Urushadze.
Mr. Urushadze made a significant contribution to the development of the Georgian School of Soil Science. Mr. Gizo's professional and public work is an inspiration and the best example for future generations.

Under the decree of the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, the award ceremony will be marked annually and become a traditional event in Georgia, which will further promote the field of soil science and motivate and encourage young staff to get engaged in the respective field.

It should be mentioned, that World Soil Day has been celebrated worldwide since 2013 following the adoption of the resolution by the 68th UN General Assembly.

The First Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Mr. George Khanishvili, Deputy Ministers Mr. Yuri Nozadze, Mr. Kakha Kakabadze, Mr. Solomon Pavliashvili, and the representatives of I. Javakhishvili State University, National Academy of Sciences of Georgia, Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Georgia, Agrarian University, Georgian Technical University, Batumi Shota Rustaveli University, Iakob Gogebashvili Telavi State University, Akaki Tsereteli State University, Samtskhe-Javakheti State University, National Environmental Agency, Agricultural Scientific Research Center, Georgian Farmers' Association (GFA), Biological Farming Association ''Elkana'', The Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus (REC Caucasus), Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN) and Heads of relevant Departments of the Ministry attended the event.