MPs say growth of agricultural sector contributes to expanding export ranges
By Sara Israfilbayova
The recent regional trip of President Ilham Aliyev was appointed to Lankaran and Jalilabad regions of the country. Here, the President familiarized with the carried out work and gave additional instructions on development of traditional agricultural sectors for this region.
Jalilabad and Lankaran are historically considered the home of citrus fruits and tea, while a republican conference held here considered ways to boost these sectors.
Previously, President Aliyev visited the north-western regions of the country -- Balakan, Zagatala and Gakh, where tobacco growing, silkworm breeding, hazelnut farming have developed.
MP Musa Guliyev, commenting on the issue, stated that rapid development of agriculture creates new opportunities for expanding the export ranges. This also contributes to access of domestic agrarian products to world markets.
The president's recent visit to the regions will give a powerful impetus to the development of agriculture, and also stimulate citizens working in this direction, he said.
“Almost all types of agricultural products are grown in Azerbaijan thanks to nine climatic zones. With the exception of tropical fruits, we can grow any agricultural products - fruits, vegetables, tobacco, grapes, cotton, tea, citrus, which is why it is necessary to make every effort to use these opportunities with maximum benefit,” the MP said, adding that the country can seriously compete with a number of countries exporting agricultural products in foreign markets.
The MP stressed that development of the non-oil sector remains one of the most priority directions of the state economic policy, therefore it is quite natural that special attention is paid to the agricultural sector.
MP Bakhtiyar Sadikhov, commenting on the visit, said that the traditional branches of the agrarian sector, such as cotton growing, tobacco growing, viticulture, are purposefully restored, and it is noteworthy that there are already positive developments in this direction.
"Significant work has been done over the past two years, cotton areas have been brought from 17,000 hectares to 136,000 hectares, the area of hazelnut gardens has reached 55,000 hectares and is expected to be brought up to 80,000 hectares, in addition, silkworm production has become widespread in all regions of the country,” Sadikhov said.
The development of these industries increases employment, reduce dependence on imports, and increases export potential, he noted. Along with these sectors, the state is aimed at developing the production of tea, rice and citrus fruits, which are of strategic importance from the point of view of the consumer demand and increase of export opportunities.
The main goal of the 2004 State Program for Social and Economic Development of Regions was to develop the regions, implement infrastructure projects, create conditions for entrepreneurship, so it is noteworthy that all these tasks are consistently implemented.
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