Under the ENPARD Programme, EU and FAO share best agricultural knowledge and hands-on experience to the future Georgian agronomists under the Young Agronomists’ Internship Programme. Six interns attended trainings conducted by the company Agro Motors and took a practical course in the utilization of modern agricultural machinery and mechanisation. Theoretical session and practical exercises on the use of modern farming implements were followed by the certificate awarding ceremony.

This is the third year of the internship programme under the FAO-EU project. As of now, the total number of the interns who participated in the programme is 16. Starting with their training, FAO interns, during their six-month internship, learn from the best local and international FAO and private sector professionals in the field and work alongside Georgian farmers, beneficiaries of FAO programmes, gaining invaluable practical experience and knowledge of Climate Smart Agriculture, Integrated Pest Management, Conservation Agriculture and Good Agricultural Practices. Once the interns are trained, they technically support Georgian farmers in the introduction of modern agricultural methods and best practices. 

The students spend several days per week in the farms, working and learning more productive and sustainable methods of growing such crops as broccoli, lettuce, tomato, cucumbers, eggplant, cabbage and others, under open fields, as well as greenhouses. During the season, they support farmers to set up the gardens and plots, including drip irrigation systems, and to organize Farmers Field Days to share the acquired knowledge with the farmers from neighbouring communities.

“The lack of trained professionals in the agricultural sector is the main bottleneck for the development of the agricultural sector in Georgia. EU and FAO are contributing to fill this lack through this internship programme, which can bring invaluable support to Georgian agriculture. We are supporting the development of agronomists that will be key in the future.“ said Javier Sanz Alvarez, FAO-EU project coordinator.

Another call for applications for this six-month internship programme will be open to the new candidates from the beginning of the next year.

The EU is supporting agriculture and rural development in Georgia through its ENPARD programme. Implemented since 2013 with a total budget of EUR 234.5 million, the main goal of ENPARD is to provide economic opportunities in rural areas and reduce poverty in Georgia. More information on ENPARD is available at: www.enpard.ge