Azerbaijan Looks to Rejuvenate Agricultural Sector

After years of intensive irrigated farming, soil erosion and salinization are now primary concerns for farmers in the Central Asia and the Caucasus (CAC) region, who need to increase productivity in a sustainable manner. Photo credit: ICARDA

After years of intensive irrigated farming, soil erosion and salinization are now primary concerns for farmers in the Central Asia and the Caucasus (CAC) region, who need to increase productivity in a sustainable manner.
Photo credit: ICARDA

Leading agricultural policy makers from Azerbaijan called for increased cooperation with international research organizations like ICARDA to intensify knowledge transfer on research and innovations for sustainable agriculture development, and greater food security.

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At the opening session of ICARDA’s recent board meeting in Baku, Dr. Ilham Guliyev, Deputy Minister Azerbaijan Ministry of Agriculture, commented, “Access to technology, new approaches and practices are critical to ensure that we are competitive and can meet the growing demand for agricultural products.”

Azerbaijan has seen a sharp decline in agricultural production – from 20% of GDP in 2001 to less than 6% today, according to the CGIAR Consortium, of which ICARDA is a member. CGIAR said a major cause has been the low priority given to the agriculture sector as the nation focused on the rapid expansion of its petroleum operations. It also cited severe land degradation that has compromised crop yields by 20% to 30% – a prevalent problem across the Central Asia and the Caucasus region. After years of intensive irrigated farming, soil erosion and salinization are now primary concerns for farmers in the region.

Dr. Mahmoud Solh, Director General of ICARDA said, “Azerbaijan certainly has great potential for growth and a comparative advantage in producing traditional agricultural products, as well as higher value products with favorable soil-climatic conditions.’’

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Central Asian countries such as Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are gradually embracing zero-to-minimum tillage and retention of crop stubble along with crop rotations as they see its benefits of higher yields, lower production costs and better water and soil conservation, according to CGIAR.

According to CGIAR, “Research partnerships play a critical role in strengthening the agriculture sectors of developing nations, but it is equally important for research institutions to have the opportunity to work in varying agro-ecologies to develop and release technologies for sustainable food production systems that can withstand today’s challenges: rapidly growing population, strained natural resources particularly in dry areas, and climate change uncertainties.”

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