Georgia: As part of the International Project of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Scientific Research Center for Agriculture (SRCA) received 600 samples of Georgian origin from the Genbank of Gatersleben (IPK) in Germany.
Samples for the study will be planted on the test-demonstration basis of the center’s quota. After they are identified, the material will be returned to the farms of the origin.
To discuss the importance of this issue and plans, a working meeting was held in the Laboratory of Seed and Translation Materials Standards and Certification Research Service of the Scientific Research Center.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Environment and Agriculture Yuri Nozadze, Director of the Research Center Levan Ujmajuridze, and employees of the center’s relevant services. It was noted that relations with the International Plant Genetic Resource Banks will continue actively worldwide to return ancient Georgian samples.
“In the 90s of the last century, due to the political-economic crisis of Georgia, part of the local gene fund of field cultures in various research institutions was lost, and part was found in foreign gene banks.” Genetic material of Georgian origin, endemic species, or local forms no longer stored with us are protected in International Gene Banks. “This material is a national treasure for Georgia, which can bring great benefits to our agriculture; that’s why it is important to return these samples to the homeland,” – noted Deputy Minister of Environment and Agriculture Yuri Nozadze.
Director Levan Ujmajuridze said the emphasis is being placed on local breeds and forms, which have selective characteristics and are still relevant to Georgian farming culture.
“One of the main goals of the International Project of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is to bring back unique samples of genetic resources of the most important cultures of plants, their taxonomic and species characterization, to evaluate their genetic integrity in the recent past With samples of the same varieties and international standards According to Conservation,” – said Levan Ujmajuridze.
