David Kirvalidze
Professor
Holds a PhD in Agricultural Sciences. Has more than 30 years of professional experience in agriculture, agribusiness and sustainable development policy. He has made a significant contribution to the development of Georgia's agricultural and rural development policies. Throughout his career, has worked as a researcher, farmer, lecturer, policymaker, manager and reformer.
He graduated from the Georgian State Agrarian University in 1990 with a degree in Agrochemistry and Soil Science. He began his professional career as a lecturer at the Georgian State Agrarian University and the Institute of Environmental Protection, Ecology and Agribusiness. Later he continued his work towards agricultural policy development and institutional reforms.
Between 1999 and 2000, served as a Member of Parliament of Georgia and Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Agrarian Affairs. He served two terms as Minister of Agriculture and Food of Georgia (2000–2004 and 2012–2013), leading major sectoral reforms aimed at improving agricultural productivity and competitiveness, supporting farmers and agribusinesses, expanding access to finance, increasing exports and attracting investment.
Dr. Kirvalidze served as an Advisor to the Prime Minister of Georgia on Agriculture and Rural Development, contributing to agricultural policy, rural development strategies and sectoral planning.
He has extensive international experience in agricultural development, sustainable policy, and private sector development. He has collaborated with numerous international organisations and development programmes and represented the Government of Georgia at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
Since 2014, Dr. Kirvalidze has served as a Member of the Board of Directors of Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA). Through his leadership and expertise, numerous international development projects have been implemented across different countries.
During 2005–2006, he participated in an academic programme at the University of Maryland (USA), focusing on sustainable agriculture and rural development in transition economies. He is also a Fulbright Scholar.
In 2019, he was Georgia's candidate for the position of Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Dr. Kirvalidze is actively engaged in academic, public policy and international development activities, with particular emphasis on agriculture, sustainable development, private sector growth and institutional development.
He has been a Member of the Board of the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA) since 2015.
