News

The Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture joined the celebration of International Forest Day

In order to raise public awareness about the importance of forests, March 21 is celebrated as International Forest Day. In 2024, the theme of the International Day of Forests is "Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World".

As part of the campaign, forestry students of different universities took part in the action of planting saplings at the Jighaura experimental-demonstration base of the Scientific-Research Center, together with the employees of the Agro-forestry Crops Research Division of the Center. The collection of agroforestry crops has been supplemented with: rare types of berqena, ampura, Meyer's Hawthorn, as well as Barberry, Rhus, Tamarix, Highland maple, And to the section where there are introduced and decorative species, Aesculus hippocastanum, Evergreen oak.

,,44% of the territory of Georgia is covered by forest, which is distinguished by plant biodiversity. Our goal is to preserve this biodiversity. About 400 types of woody plants grow naturally in the forests of Georgia. There are species that are at high risk of extinction. Every year, the Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture responds to the International Forest Day celebration campaign and enriches the agroforestry collection with new species. Planting each tree means improving the environment, more oxygen, carbon sequestration and, as a result, mitigating global climate change," mentioned Levan Ujmajuridze, Director of the Scientific-Research Center.

It should be noted that the collection of agroforestry crops of Jighaura was planted in 2015 for the purpose of conservation and protection of forest crops. Most of the species are endemic. The collection consists of 4 sections, where about 100 species of forest plants grow, including the main forest-forming species of Eastern Georgia, wild ancestors of fruit trees, rare and endangered species, etc.

Forests have a great role and function both for humanity globally and for individual countries. Nevertheless, the statistics of forest loss and degradation are worrying. Every year, worldwide, 10 million/ha of forests are cut down. In light of this challenge, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 21 as the International Day of Forests in 2012 to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests.