Gov’t seeks to tackle problem of improper land use

By Nigar Abbasova

Regarding the agriculture as the driving force in the non-oil sector, Azerbaijan seeks to eliminate problems hampering the further growth of the agriculture.

The country’s agriculture ministry has prepared a special procedure for the proper use of lands in the sphere of agriculture.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Seifaddin Talibov said that the relevant document will be presented for the consideration of the government in the short run. He mentioned that the ministry takes systematic measures to monitor the situation and reveal the sowing lands, which remain unused.

“The State Committee on Property Issues is engaged in the implementation of relevant measures on the revealing and further use of such lands, while the ministry also gets information on the improper use of lands from its local departments,” he said.

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. Agricultural lands often remain not cultivated and enclosed, while no activity is implemented in the areas.

The recent monitoring implemented by the State Committee on Property Issues revealed as many as 198,000 hectares of unused sowing lands. The data was revealed as a result of monitoring of about 1.8 million hectares of sowing area in the country.

Certain changes in this regards have been recently made to the Tax Code of the country. The changes provided for the increase of tax and application of fees for the violation.

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