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Call for literature donations to build a scientific library on „Organic Farming and Nature Conservation“ in Tbilisi (Georgia)

Southern Caucasus is a region with unique natural conditions and high biodiversity. In order to protect these qualities and in the interest of environmentally sustainable use of these resources, the adoption of organic agricultural practices is an appropriate strategy.

For this reason, the professorship for “Organic farming and nature conservation” was introduced in May 2006 at the public agricultural university in Tbilisi, Georgia. This was made possible through the “Agreement of Cooperation” formed in July 2005, with the University of Kassel and the Georgian State Agrarian University (GSAU) in Tbilisi. The professorship was filled in the winter semester of 2006, and additionally supported by two assistant lecturers, two doctorate positions and two technicians. The GSAU itself is prepared to cover the expenses involved in continuing the professorship, as well as the necessary supporting positions and facilities, after the end to the five year period to be funded by the state. Funds for continuing the professorship have been raised through, among other means, donations from private sponsors in the Witzenhausen Association for the Support of Ecologically and Socially Sustainable Nutrition and Agriculture. 

The connection to agricultural practice in the Caucasus region is assured through close cooperation with ELKANA, a Georgian consulting organisation which has been an IFOAM member for several years. Additional financial support was also provided in recent years by the Federal Nature Conservation Agency (BfN) for Georgian, Armenian and Azerbaijani actors to participate in training courses at the German Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture (DITSL).

Aside from necessary equipment and travel or administration costs to be covered, the formation of an appropriate scientific library is very important for the professorship.

For this reason, we are asking all participants of the 9th Scientific Conference on Organic Agriculture at Hohenheim to donate literature! English books, magazines, conference proceedings and research reports on organic agriculture and nature protection are particularly needed, which reflect the current state of scientific research in this field.

Donations may be brought the conference office after registration. After the conference, the BfN will coordinate the transport of donated texts to Georgia.
 
Questions about literature donations can be addressed to Dr. Sabine Zikeli (Tel.: 0711-459-23248; E-Mail: 9wita@uni-hohenheim.de ) and Stefan Lange (Tel.: 0228-6845-3930, E-Mail: stefan.lange@ble.de ).

Thank you very much for your support!

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