Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Solomon Pavliashvili, opened the forum "Public and Private Extension Cooperation," organized by the Rural Development Agency within the framework of the third phase of the "Modernizing the Vocational Education System in Agriculture in Georgia" (VET) project, with a welcome speech.

"The state is actively working in many directions for the development of agricultural extension. This component is practically included in all state programs, and extension services are available to any farmer, regardless of the type and quantity of products they produce. It is especially important for us to implement such vocational educational programs that will enhance the competitiveness of our farmers and increase both the quality and quantity of the produced products. The vocational development system should adequately reflect this dynamic process and respond to the needs of farmers, with extension services being appropriate for them," noted Deputy Minister Solomon Pavliashvili.

The forum was addressed by the Director of the Rural Development Agency, David Tsitlidze, and the representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Elene Tsakaya. A presentation on the progress of the VET program was given by the head of the Regional Relations Department of the Rural Development Agency, Lasha Shalamberidze.

The forum was attended by Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, Irma Abkhazava, Deputy Director of the National Food Agency, Zurab Lipartia, representatives of partner donor organizations of the Rural Development Agency, vocational schools, public and private extension representatives, and students.

The event was held within the framework of the "Modernizing the Vocational Education System in Agriculture in Georgia" (VET) program of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), supported by the Swiss Development Foundation (SDC).

It is noteworthy that, to improve the provision of extension services to small farmers, analytical documents were prepared within the VET program. Public and private extensionists and students discussed the most demanded agro-extension services, agricultural training programs, and the needs of the vocational education sector in working group formats and developed recommendations.