FAO project to upgrade pedigree cattle breeding in Azerbaijan
By Aynur Karimova
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization will implement Pedigree Cattle Breeding Development Project in Azerbaijan.
A relevant agreement on the project was signed by Azerbaijan's Agriculture Minister Heydar Asadov and FAO country representative Mustafa Imir on October 6.
The two-year project includes seed and breeding work, improvement of the efficiency of livestock services, breeding livestock with the aim of improving livestock productivity and growth of income of farmers.
The project also envisages creating an association of experts in the field of artificial insemination.
Animal breeding is of crucial importance for restoring and protecting the country's food security, and it has already achieved positive results. Azerbaijan ranks the 58th among 109 countries of the world according to the Global Food Security Index 2015. It has improved its score by 7 points from its 2014 ranking. This year, Azerbaijan stands 10th among Asia and Pacific countries.
During these seven months of 2015, livestock grew by 2.4 percent, meat production by 1.8 percent, milk by 3.7 percent, eggs by 1 percent, and wool by 1.8 percent.
Following the agrarian reforms, the number of horned cattle and small ruminants began to increase due to privatization and a transition to a market economy. The number of cattle was only 925,800 in 2010, while the figure hit 1.3 million as of January 2015. The number of small ruminants was 5,774 million and the figure hit over 8,645 million as of January 2015.
FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts in defeating hunger. Serving both the developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy.
FAO is also a source of knowledge and information, and helps the developing countries and countries in transition to modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices, ensuring good nutrition and food security for all.
Azerbaijan became a Member Country of FAO in 1995, and is currently benefiting from FAO’s technical assistance in many areas, such as organic agriculture, agriculture marketing, locust management, food security, seed sector development, improved livelihoods for rural populations, animal health, and cattle breeding – the last two being the new FAO Representative’s main field of specialization.
--
Aynur Karimova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Aynur_Karimova
Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz