Davit Songulashvili: Our Goal Is to Support the Development of Modern and Competitive Agriculture in Georgia

Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Davit Songulashvili visited the Swiss Agricultural School Caucasus in the village of Sarkineti, Dmanisi Municipality, where he learned about the institution’s activities, educational process and production operations.

The Minister toured the school’s infrastructure, livestock farm and dairy-processing facility. Representatives of the school briefed him on its vocational education programmes, practical training opportunities for students and the development of its production activities.

“At the agricultural school, students gain practical experience directly on the farm and at the production facility alongside their studies. This approach helps promote vocational education and creates new opportunities for young people in the agricultural sector. Our goal is to support the development of modern and competitive agriculture in Georgia, strengthen domestic production and ensure that young people have access to high-quality vocational education and can apply the knowledge they acquire in their own country,” Davit Songulashvili said.

The Swiss Agricultural School Caucasus was established at the initiative of Mikho Svimonishvili as part of a partnership between Georgia and Switzerland. During the school’s development, its curricula were prepared, practical training components were designed and teachers were trained in cooperation with Plantahof, one of Switzerland’s leading agricultural schools.

The school admitted its first students in 2021. It has been authorised since the same year and offers vocational programmes in farming and dairy production. Its curriculum combines theoretical education with practical training.

The school operates a livestock farm and a dairy-processing facility, where cheese and other dairy products are produced using Swiss technology. The products are sold on the Georgian market and are also exported.

The Minister was accompanied by Ilia Jalaghania, State Representative in Kvemo Kartli; Deputy Ministers Giorgi Tskrialashvili and Lasha Avaliani; Head of the National Food Agency Giorgi Iakobashvili; and Mayor of Dmanisi Municipality Koba Muradashvili.