Agricultural Research Translation and Modern Extension Systems in Tbilisi

Programme Overview

Agricultural development depends on the efficient translation of scientific research into practical advisory services for farming communities.⁣​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌⁣ Many public institutions struggle to bridge the gap between national agronomic institutes and smallholder producers. This five-day programme in Tbilisi provides agricultural leaders with tools to reform public extension systems, establish commercialisation pathways for public research, and improve institutional coordination. Participants examine proven models for knowledge exchange, commercial technology transfer, and performance-based advisory management suitable for transitional economies.

The curriculum addresses structural bottlenecks in public extension by demonstrating how to establish effective technology transfer offices and modern research translation protocols. Officials explore international benchmarks, including the Food and Agriculture Organization Agricultural Knowledge and Information Systems framework and modern pluralistic extension concepts. Through field-informed case studies, the programme covers climate-smart agronomy dissemination, competitive research grant mechanisms, and sustainable funding structures that align national scientific agendas with rural producer demands and export market requirements.

Hosted in Georgia, the training offers direct exposure to post-Soviet agricultural transformation, public-private advisory initiatives, and institutional restructuring. Delegates engage in applied exercises to design digital extension architectures, participatory farmer adoption models, and monitoring frameworks. The course equips decision-makers to implement institutional reforms that increase farm productivity, accelerate the adoption of sustainable land management practices, and deliver measurable returns on public and donor-financed investments in national agricultural research systems.

Public agricultural institutions across Central Asia and neighbouring regions face urgent demands to modernise advisory systems in response to climate vulnerability, water scarcity, and changing trade environments.⁣​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌⁣ Major investments under the Agriculture Modernization Project require executing agencies to replace top-down advisory delivery with market-oriented, demand-driven extension systems. Establishing structured technology transfer offices and accountable advisory services ensures national research translates into field-level economic gains and sustainable food systems.

Delivered by Risalat Consultants International in Tbilisi, Georgia, it combines expert-led sessions, real cases and group work, so that participants can apply what they learn in their own institution.

The Programme Strengthens Institutional Capability

• Analysis of modern Agricultural Knowledge and Information Systems (AKIS) frameworks
• Assessing post-Soviet institutional transitions and modern pluralistic extension models
• Institutional mandates: separating research governance, validation, and field delivery
• Review of Georgia's agricultural institutional reforms and advisory transformation
• Diagnostic mapping of national agricultural research and extension bottlenecks
• Operational blueprints for Technology Transfer Offices in public agricultural institutes
• Intellectual property management, seed variety protection, and licensing protocols
• Public-private partnerships in agronomic research validation and input commercialisation
• Climate and environmental risk assessment
• Adaptation and mitigation planning
• Sector strategies for energy, water and land
• Project design for climate and environmental goals

It is designed for directors and deputy directors of national agricultural extension agencies, heads of public agronomic research institutes and experimental stations, senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture overseeing research and education and others who want practical, current skills in climate, environment and natural resources.

The Growing Importance of Agricultural Research Translation and Modern Extension Systems in Tbilisi

Climate change, environmental pressure and resource management now shape national plans, budgets and investment decisions. Financiers increasingly expect climate and environmental considerations to be built into projects from the start.

Institutions that can plan for climate risks, manage natural resources well and prepare sound proposals are better placed to protect services and to access the funding available for this work.

Organisations increasingly require professionals capable of:

• Assess climate and environmental risks to their services and assets
• Design projects that meet climate and environmental goals
• Prepare proposals that financiers can approve
• Measure and report results credibly
• Work with communities and partners across sectors

Strong climate, environment and natural resources systems help organisations:

• Protect services and infrastructure from climate risks
• Access climate and environmental finance
• Meet national and international commitments
• Use natural resources sustainably

This Agricultural Research Translation and Modern Extension Systems in Tbilisi programme brings these elements together in a practical format, so that participants understand not only what good practice looks like but also how to introduce it in their own setting, with the people and resources they have.

Who Should Attend This Agricultural Research Translation and Modern Extension Systems in Tbilisi Training?

This programme is designed for:

• Directors and deputy directors of national agricultural extension agencies
• Heads of public agronomic research institutes and experimental stations
• Senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture overseeing research and education
• Project directors and component coordinators of donor-financed agricultural modernisation projects
• Managers of agricultural technology transfer offices and commercialisation units
• Coordinators of regional and provincial agricultural advisory centres
• Specialists leading digital agriculture and e-extension initiatives within public bodies
• Policy analysts responsible for agricultural innovation systems and research funding allocation
• Leaders of agricultural education institutes seeking to integrate research with extension delivery
• Climate change and environment officers
• Energy, water and agriculture sector staff
• Planning and policy officers

The programme suits experienced professionals as well as those moving into new responsibilities. Groups that mix institutions and countries are encouraged, because participants learn a great deal from each other’s experience.

Agricultural Research Translation and Modern Extension Systems in Tbilisi Training Objectives

Upon successful completion of this Agricultural Research Translation and Modern Extension Systems in Tbilisi Training, participants will be able to:

• Structure viable technology transfer offices within public agricultural research institutes and universities
• Design pluralistic extension systems that integrate public advisory bodies with private sector actors
• Implement competitive and performance-based research funding mechanisms that address field-level agronomic priorities
• Deploy digital advisory platforms and data-driven extension tools to expand rural service coverage
• Apply behavioural adoption methodologies to accelerate farmer uptake of climate-smart agronomic practices
• Establish governance and quality assurance standards for certified agricultural extension providers
• Construct monitoring and evaluation frameworks to measure the economic and environmental impact of translated research
• Explain the main climate and environmental challenges for their sector
• Assess climate and environmental risks to services and assets
• Plan adaptation and mitigation measures

Each objective is practised during the programme through exercises, cases or group work, so that participants leave able to do it, not only to describe it.

Programme Contents and Structure

Agricultural Research Translation and Modern Extension Systems in Tbilisi Training Methodology

The training employs adult-learning methods that combine institutional policy analysis, international benchmarking, and hands-on operational design. Participants review case studies from post-Soviet and European agricultural transitions, take part in diagnostic exercises, and work through guided policy labs. The programme includes a targeted institutional visit within Georgia to examine modern advisory infrastructure and public-private service delivery mechanisms, culminating in the development of individual institutional reform roadmaps.

The programme combines:

• Expert-led sessions on current practice
• Regional and international case studies
• Group work and practical exercises
• Simulations and role plays where relevant
• Discussion of participants' own challenges
• Peer learning across institutions and countries
• Practical tools and templates to take back to work
• Daily reflection and action planning

Before the programme, a short pre-assessment helps the facilitators understand each participant’s role and priorities, so that examples and exercises can be adjusted to the group.⁣​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌⁣ Each day ends with a short reflection in which participants note what they will apply at work.

Expected Outcomes

Upon completion of this Agricultural Research Translation and Modern Extension Systems in Tbilisi Training, participants will be able to:

• Operational models to establish or upgrade technology transfer offices within public institutes
• Strategic frameworks to align research agendas with smallholder and commercial farmer needs
• Digital advisory roadmaps that combine remote advisory tools with physical field extension
• Contracting and partnership mechanisms to formalise public-private extension collaboration
• Evaluation methodologies to measure adoption rates and productivity gains from translated research
• Comprehensive institutional action plans ready for deployment under national modernisation projects
• Assess climate and environmental risks
• Plan adaptation and mitigation measures

Participants leave with a personal action plan and practical tools they can use in their institution from the first week back. Institutions that send several participants can use the programme to agree shared methods and templates across teams, which makes improvements easier to sustain.

Institutional Application of Agricultural Research Translation and Modern Extension Systems in Tbilisi Training

This programme supports organisations in strengthening:

• Climate and environmental planning
• Project design
• Access to finance
• Results measurement
• Stakeholder involvement

Participants return with practical tools to improve:

• Risk assessments
• Concept notes
• Results frameworks
• Monitoring systems
• Partnership arrangements

The programme is built so that learning moves from the classroom into the institution. Participants work on their own processes and documents where possible, and leave with an action plan that their managers can review and support.

Regional Relevance & Application

Europe

European institutions apply climate, environment and natural resources within detailed regulatory frameworks and reform agendas. Participants from Europe can compare their practice with colleagues from other regions and test how established methods work under different conditions.

Africa

Across Africa, ministries, agencies and project teams working in climate, environment and natural resources increasingly operate alongside donor-financed programmes that expect clear systems and evidence. The programme helps participants adapt good practice to the institutions and resources they work with.

Middle East

In the Middle East, national development strategies and diversification plans place growing demands on climate, environment and natural resources. Participants explore how to build the capability these plans need inside public bodies and companies.

Asia

Institutions across Asia combine rapid growth with ambitious modernisation programmes. Participants from Asia can share their experience of scaling systems quickly and learn from approaches used elsewhere.

Pacific

Small island and Pacific states face particular constraints of size, distance and capacity. The programme highlights practical, proportionate approaches to climate, environment and natural resources that suit smaller institutions.

Holding the programme in Tbilisi, Georgia brings participants together away from their daily pressures, so they can compare how climate, environment and natural resources is handled in different settings. The same programme can also be delivered in-house for one institution, in its own country or online, with cases taken from its current work.

Host Country Profile – Georgia

Programmes, Workshops, Exposures, Training Courses in Tbilisi, Georgia by Risalat Consultants International

Studying away from their own country gives participants time to focus, a fresh view of their own institution and the chance to build a network with colleagues from other countries.

Agricultural Research Translation and Modern Extension Systems in Tbilisi Training Deliverables

Participants receive support before, during and after the programme, so that preparation, learning and follow-up form one continuous experience.

Before the Programme

• Participant Pre-Assessment
• Agricultural Research Translation and Modern Extension Systems in Tbilisi Readiness Assessment
• Agricultural Research Translation and Modern Extension Systems in Tbilisi Resource Pack
• Preparatory Reading Materials
• Complimentary Visa Support & Advisory

During the Programme

• Airport Pickup & Welcome Assistance
• Accommodation with Breakfast
• Welcome Networking Dinner
• Risalat Training Kit (Bag, Bottle, Mug, T-Shirt, Cap, Passport Cover, Pens, Notebook, Magnet & Keychain)
• Comprehensive Agricultural Research Translation and Modern Extension Systems in Tbilisi Training Manual
• Climate Risk Screening Checklist
• Options Appraisal Template
• Concept Note Template
• Results Measurement Template
• Practical Workshops & Simulations
• Group Discussions & Peer Learning
• Daily Lunch and Refreshments
• Full Access to Training Venue Facilities
• Mini Pad / Tablet with Digital Learning Materials
• Field Visit (where applicable)
• Entertaining City Tour

After the Programme

• Certificate of Completion
• Risalat Programme Participation Recognition Award
• Post-Training Reference Materials
• Funding Readiness Checklist
• Monitoring and Reporting Template
• Post-Training Support & Follow-Up Guidance
• Programme Report

Institutions can also request a tailored in-house version of this programme, delivered at their premises or online. Request a proposal.

Common Challenges in Agricultural Research Translation and Modern Extension Systems in Tbilisi, And How This Training Helps

How can institutions assess climate and environmental risks to their services and assets?

The programme addresses this directly on the first day (Day 1: Modernising Agricultural Innovation Systems and Institutional Frameworks), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions design projects that meet climate and environmental goals?

The programme addresses this directly on the second day (Day 2: Structuring Technology Transfer Offices and Commercialisation Pathways), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions prepare proposals that financiers can approve?

The programme addresses this directly on the third day (Day 3: Digital Extension Architectures and Pluralistic Service Delivery), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions measure and report results credibly?

The programme addresses this directly on the fourth day (Day 4: Farmer Adoption Methodologies and Climate-Smart Agronomy), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions work with communities and partners across sectors?

The programme addresses this directly on the fifth day (Day 5: Performance Management, Impact Evaluation, and Action Planning), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where does the Agricultural Research Translation and Modern Extension Systems in Tbilisi programme take place?

It runs from 16 Aug 2027 to 20 Aug 2027, in Tbilisi, Georgia. The registration deadline is shown at the top of this page.

Who should attend?

The programme is designed for directors and deputy directors of national agricultural extension agencies, heads of public agronomic research institutes and experimental stations, senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture overseeing research and education, project directors and component coordinators of donor-financed agricultural modernisation projects, and others who want practical skills in climate, environment and natural resources.

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes. Participants who complete the programme receive a Certificate of Completion from Risalat Consultants International.

Can this programme be delivered for our institution only?

Yes. We can deliver a tailored in-house version at your premises, in another city or online, built around your own cases. Use the proposal request on this page.

Do I need prior experience in climate, environment and natural resources?

No specialist background is required beyond experience in a related role. A short pre-assessment helps the facilitators adapt the sessions to the group.

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