In the BSU vocational program management and continuous education center, the graduation ceremony of the short-term vocational  program of integrated plant protection of Shota Rustaveli University of Batumi and the handing over of certificates was held. In the first stream of the three-month program, 14 students were trained, who received theoretical and practical training on all diseases and pests common in specific agricultural crops in the region, their management and prevention. The program is intended for persons involved in the field, practicing specialists and farmers.

The event was opened and certificates were handed over to graduates by BSU Rector Merab Khalvashi, USDA representatives of the US Department of Agriculture in Georgia and Washington: Demna Dzirkvadze, Gocha Shainidze, Alexis Heather, Brandt Siegel.

The vocational program was developed with the financial support of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), within the framework of the phytosanitary project, which is implemented in Georgia by "Farmer of the Future". The State Employment Promotion Agency allocated funding for the first stream of the program.

The prerequisite for the development of the program was the high demand for updated information about diseases among agricultural specialists. Education experts, representatives of the Department of Plant Protection of the National Food Agency and specialists from the USA were involved in the preparation of the program.

Due to the high demand in the labor market for persons trained with the mentioned program, BSU plans to announce the admission for the new stream in the near future.

Within the framework of the event, USDA representatives of the US Department of Agriculture visited the agricultural extension center of BSU and got acquainted with the working conditions.

The ceremony of sending off the graduates of the program and handing over certificates was also attended by BSU Agricultural Extension Center and program instructors, A.R. of Adjara. Ministry of Agriculture, AR of Adjara. Representatives of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports, National Food Agency and "Farmer of the Future".