Tbilisi. 15 June. 2026 – More than 130 Georgian students from six universities have completed specialised training on food safety in meat and dairy production, led by veterinarians from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). This educational initiative was successfully implemented with the support of the European Union and Sweden under the fourth phase of the European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD IV).
The recently concluded programme aimed to strengthen the practical skills of the upcoming generation of veterinarians through a strategic combination of academic lectures and field-based learning.
Throughout the sessions, students covered critical topics in veterinary medicine and food safety, including milk hygiene, dairy production, animal health and welfare, infectious diseases, vaccination, food safety standards, and the responsible use of antibiotics. The participants also engaged in case-based discussions of clinical situations and food safety risks, independently analysing and summarising key challenges.
To complement the theoretical component, the students participated in practical field exercises at dairy production facilities in rural areas. This hands-on experience allowed them to assess local conditions, interact with industry professionals, and gain first-hand familiarity with the key challenges facing the dairy sector.
“Investing in knowledge is key to ensure safer production of dairy and meat products in Georgia,” says Guido Agostinucci, FAO ENPARD IV Programme Manager. “By working with the upcoming generation of veterinarians, we are helping build stronger veterinary extension services and improve animal health and food safety across the country.”
“Strengthening the next generation of veterinarians is a strategic priority for Georgia. The European Union remains committed to enhancing their skills, providing a vital pathway for rural smallholder farmers—particularly women—to secure sustainable livelihoods through livestock husbandry. Under ENPARD IV, our cooperation places special emphasis on equipping students to tackle one of the most pressing challenges: combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR), promoting a modern approach to animal health through
the latest knowledge in animal welfare and care,” said Denis Reiss, Programme Officer for Sustainable Food Systems at the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia.
Beyond training students, FAO veterinarians continued to share knowledge with dairy farmers across the country under the EU and Sweden-funded ENPARD IV programme. To date, 261 Farmer Field Schools have been established, providing training in food safety for small-scale dairy production to 4,306 individuals—85% of whom were women.
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