News

Scientific expeditions were held in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region

In order to collect traditional varieties, the representatives of the Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture held a scientific expedition in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region.

As part of the expedition, samples of old, local varieties of beans, corn, wheat, barley, millet, peas, chickpeas and potatoes were collected from the plots of lands of the locals. The potato samples were transferred to the Center for Plant Micro-clonal (in vitro) Propagation and Virus-Free Planting Material Research Laboratory for further research and conservation, and the cereal seed samples, after appropriate processing, will be stored in the Plant Genetic Resources Bank.

The expedition was held within the framework of the project ,,Strengthening linkages between in situ/on-farm conservation of local PGRFA from Georgia and for adaptation to climate change’’.

The main goal of the project is to study the current condition of the collections of target crops in Georgia, to enrich the collection of the genetic bank of plants, to return the genetic resources of the target crops taken out of Georgia at different times and placed in foreign gene banks, and to organize expeditions to collect genetic resources.

"During the expedition, we have very interesting meetings, where the local population shares information about old, unique varieties, their healing properties and traditions," said Tamar Jinjikhadze, head of the Department of Planning and Economic Analysis of Standards Certification of the Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture.

The samples will be collected in 8 regions of Georgia within the framework of the ongoing project funded by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).