Shaping Agriculture's Future: A Conversation with Agrosphere Scholar, Iva Khvichia
Agrosphere, a pioneering importer of advanced agricultural products and machinery, is dedicated to stimulating growth in agriculture, arousing interest among the younger generation, and nurturing skilled professionals in this sector.
In alignment with these objectives, Agrosphere formed a partnership with the "Agrarian University" last year, pledging to offer annual scholarships to three students pursuing agricultural studies. In addition to this, Agrosphere facilitates practical internships for these scholarship recipients, along with seven other students, at their service centers, partnered farms, demonstration vineyards, and greenhouses.
Recently, we got an opportunity to connect with this year's scholarship recipients to explore the impact of the Agrosphere program on their lives, their professional inclinations, future ambitions, and the challenges that agriculture in Georgia currently faces.
Introducing Iva Khvichia, a third-year Agronomy student at the "Agrarian University".
When asked what drew her towards the field of agronomy, Iva shared, "To be frank, I had limited knowledge about agronomy and no particular interest in it. However, attending an orientation session at the 'Agrarian University', where professors passionately discussed the field, piqued my interest in agriculture. I later realized the substantial potential this field holds for the future and decided to specialize in agronomy."
On hearing about the "Agrosphere" scholarship and her internship plans, Iva said, "I was acquainted with last year's recipients of the 'Agrosphere' scholarship. Later, we were notified about the program via email. I participated and was fortunate to be chosen as one of the recipients, which greatly motivated me. It's encouraging when your diligent work as a student is recognized and appreciated. As for the internship, I'm considering one in greenhouse farming, as I find the field intriguing and want to expand my knowledge in this area."
Discussing the primary challenges facing agriculture, Iva pointed out, "I think one of the key issues is the dearth of qualified personnel. While practical experience is pivotal in our profession, it should be complemented by sound theoretical knowledge. Unfortunately, many Georgian farmers lack this theoretical foundation, and it's even more disheartening that they don't perceive this as an issue. Despite various free training programs being available in Georgia, there's often a reluctance to participate in them. Many farmers prefer to adhere to conventional methods. A portion of them is even oblivious to the technological advancements of today."
Despite these hurdles, Iva is optimistic about the future, stating, "It's heartening to see an increasing number of young people showing interest in agriculture. Currently, the 'Agrarian University' consistently ranks among the top universities, which I believe is a significant achievement. Also, many young people are pursuing their education in Europe and returning with a wealth of knowledge. This instills in me the confidence that the agricultural sector in our country is on the brink of significant evolution and growth."
On her career trajectory, Iva expressed, "I'm still in the exploration phase and haven't yet decided on a specific field. Hence, I plan to intern at various farms for a while. Subsequently, I will undoubtedly pursue a master's degree to gain an in-depth understanding of agronomy. At present, my interest is veering towards greenhouse farming, and who knows, I might even own a greenhouse someday."