Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. David Songulashvili, visited the laboratory base of the Agricultural Scientific Research Center in the village of Tsilkani. The Minister met with the heads and employees of the laboratories and got familiar with the ongoing activities on site.


The Director of the Agricultural Scientific Research Center, Mr. Levan Ujmajuridze, hosted the Minister and provided him with a tour to overview the scientific infrastructure of the base and current research programs.


Minister Songulashvili emphasized the importance of scientific research, access to modern knowledge, and laboratories equipped with high standards for the development of the agricultural sector.


“ We aim to further expand access to contemporary practice and knowledge. This is the foundation for the actual implementation of innovation-based development in agriculture,” said Mr. David Songulashvili.


The Tsilkani base is one of the main centers, which unites soil, seed, and planting material, tissue culture and DNA laboratories; there is also a storage facility for seed material required for certification procedures and a sericulture base, where Georgian and introduced varieties of mulberry silkworm are maintained, improved, new varieties are bred and, if requested, produced for farms.


The base pays special attention to trial and demonstration plots of annual crops. Research on grain crops, legumes, vegetables, horticultural, and organic production crops is underway on the plots.
 

With support from the Israeli Embassy, a demonstration hub has been outfitted with contemporary technology on the base's grounds as part of the MASHAV program. Additionally, a screen house has been established where farmers and students can attend regular training and retraining sessions.