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Georgia Potato Conference and Georgia Potato Expo
Potato is an important staple and cash crop in Georgia with great potential for improving nutrition, food security and incomes throughout the country. But current potato production (12 tons per hectare) are far below potential yields of as much as 30 tons per hectare.
For this reason, USAID has linked hands with the International Potato Center (CIP) and the Government of Georgia to support a five-year initiative aimed at boosting the potato sector by improving availability of quality seed potatoes and potato varieties and fostering stronger links between farmers and the marketplace.
On October 6 and 8, CIP is proud to announce two important events in Georgia that will highlight innovations to enable Georgian farmers to harness the potato’s full potential for food production and income improvement.
GEORGE KHANISHVILI
First Deputy Minister, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture
BESIK AMIRANASHVILI
Regional Governor
Samtskhe-Javakgeti
RUSUDAN MDIVANI
CIP Regional Leader for CA and the Caucasus
Chief of Party, USAID Potato Program in Georgia
MARIKA OLSON
Director, Office of Economic Growth, USAID
SOLOMON PAVLIASHVILI
Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture
JORGE ANDRADE PIEDRA
Senior Scientist
International Potato Center
PIETRO TURILLI
Director of Resource Mobilization
International Potato Center
DAVID TSIKLAURI
Senior Private Sector Development Advisor
USAID
BARBARA WELLS
Director General
International Potato Center
PETER WIEBLER
Mission Director
USAID Caucasus
Georgia Potato Conference
Wednesday, October 6 (all times GMT+4)
Registration
Welcome
Rusudan Mdivani, Regional Leader for CA and the Caucasus | COP USAID Potato Program in Georgia
Opening statement
The International Potato Center: 50 years of agricultural research and innovations; incorporation into One CGIAR, and a renewed commitment to Central Asia.
Barbara H. Wells, Director General, International Potato Center
Solomon Pavliashvili, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture
Marika Olson, Director, Office of Economic Growth, U.S. Agency for International Development
David Tsiklauri, Senior Private Sector Development Advisor, Office of Economic Growth, U.S. Agency for International Development
Potential for replicating the USAID Potato Program approaches, innovations and success in other CAC countries
Pietro Turilli, Director of Resource Mobilization, International Potato Center
Closing remarks
Rusudan Mdivani
Georgia Potato Expo
Friday, October 8 (all times GMT+4)
Welcome to the invitees
Opening remarks:
- Rusudan Mdivani, Chief of Party, USAID Potato Program
- Peter Wiebler, Mission Director, USAID Caucasus
- George Khanishvili, First Deputy Minister, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture
- Besik Amiranashvili, Samtskhe-Javakgeti Regional Governor
- Jorge Andrade Piedra, Senior Scientist, International Potato Center
Visit to stations:
- STATION 1
CIP around the world - STATION 2
Technological innovations: Hydroponic, aeroponics and apical rooted cuttings release unseen potential for prosperity and build farmer resilience. - STATION 3
Market and organizational innovations: Creating potato producer networks and meeting market demands are vital to scaling up production and driving inclusive growth. - STATION 4
Introduction of the Potato Producers’ Network cooperative
Potato peeling competition
Establishment of the Potato Council
Closing remarks
Rusudan Mdivani
