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Azerbaijan seeks to eliminate problems in agriculture

1 November 2016 17:02 (UTC+04:00)
Azerbaijan seeks to eliminate problems in agriculture

By Nigar Abbasova

Agriculture, which remains one of the profitable and fast-growing sectors in the economy of Azerbaijan, is regarded as the major alternative to petrodollars. The country spares no effort to improve the sector and minimize problems existing in it.

Agriculture Minister Heydar Asadov said that the ministry has already submitted certain proposals on the proper use lands, meant for cultivation of agricultural production, for the consideration of the government.

Agricultural lands often remain not cultivated and enclosed, while no activity is implemented in the areas. In this context, the ministry of agriculture and other authorized institutions of the country implement monitoring of lands.

Azerbaijan possesses about 4.8 million hectares of agricultural land, which comprises over 50 percent of its total territory, with some 39.6 percent of which being arable.

Asadov said that one of the main issues in this regard is the completion of work on the creation of a legal base, mentioning the importance of defining criteria for the use of lands.

“Work on the application of criteria will be implemented jointly with Taxes Ministry, as soon as the proposals are approved by the government,” he said.

Asadov went on saying that one of the main tasks of the ministry in near-term outlook is tackling the problem of shortage of seeds, while the sector faces no problems in terms of material and technical basis, technical support, supply of fertilizers, and issuance of subsidies.

“Work is currently underway on the purchase of seeds of vegetables, wheat and fertilizers. We will soon launch work on the creation of large vegetable-growing base in the country. Cultivation of wheat, corn and other agricultural production will be implemented in Salyan this year,” he said.

Moreover, the ministry will also create agrochemical laboratories in some 12 regions of the country. The minister said that tender has already been held in this regard.

“This is an extensive process. Veterinary and phytosanitary laboratories are planned to be created. Moreover, we will also purchase equipment and held trainings both within the country and abroad,” he said.

Laboratories are expected to perform analysis of food products, animal feed, soil, fertilizers, as well as contaminant analysis such as of pesticide residues and remains of drugs, metals, mycotoxins, nitrates and nitrites.

Moreover, Azerbaijan has great opportunities for development of silkworm breeding. The country will purchase some 1.5 million of planting stock of mulberry from China. The contract on the supplies of planting stock has already been signed, and the supplies are expected to be implemented soon.

Being one of the leading producers of agricultural goods in the CIS, Azerbaijan seeks to further develop its agriculture and food industry for import substitution as well as for export

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Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz

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