The International Potato Center (CIP) has opened its regional office covering Central Asia and the Caucasus, in Tbilisi, Georgia.
CIP plans to implement innovative methods of potato growing and will introduce new potato breeds. It will also focus on providing educational and professional development possibilities to scientists, farmers and producers in the sector.
The official opening ceremony was attended by Rusudan Mdivani, regional leader of the InternationalPotatoCenter in Central Asia and Caucasus, who introduced the Center and talked about its importance.
Michael Gerba, International Potato Center Chief Operating Officer, addressed the audience, saying potatoes, like wine, are part of Georgia’s great culture.
“I’m very glad to be in Tbilisi. Our organisation will promote potato-growing not only in Georgia, but throughout the region,” he stated.
Head of the Austrian Development Agency Office in Georgia, Gerhard Shaumberger, introduced the agriculture project at the event. “We will share our experience with the farmers and with our help Georgian potatoes to be free of genetically modified organisms and so be ecologically clean,” he said, adding that the potato harvest could be doubled in Georgia next year.
Georgian Scientific Research Center Head, Nodar Khatiashvili said "by working with the CIP, Georgian scientists will have an opportunity to access modern technologies and new species produced elsewhere in the world."
“This process will help our farmers to grow potatoes through locally elaborated seeds instead of imported ones,” he added.
Source: potatobusiness.com
