By Azernews

By Amina Nazarli

Azerbaijan, which targets on developing the agrarian sector as part of its efforts to diversify the national economy and ensure the food security, is looking for ways to enter the world market with its products as well.

The development of agriculture is one of the priority directions for Azerbaijan to boost the non-oil sector and non-oil exports. The government supports agricultural sector at the state level and implements various agricultural projects aimed at increasing volume of domestic production and decrease dependence on the imported goods.

Azerbaijan has a self-sufficiency ratio for fresh fruit and vegetables. Alongside other agricultural products, the country is keen on developing grain production to fully ensure self-sufficiency in this main product of the consumer basket and also export it to the third countries.  

President Ilham Aliyev also highlighted the importance of increasing production of this cereal in the near future.

Addressing the Qarabag Taxil LLC grain farm on November 12 as part of his visit to Beylagan region, President Aliyev said that Azerbaijan must export grain products, "but, of course, first of all, we need to meets domestic demand."

He further said that Azerbaijan will ensure its food security. "Today we cannot yet be self-sufficient in wheat. To do this, there are objective reasons. However, we are approaching this goal. Along with this, a large export potential of grain production should be created. We export fruit and vegetable products and other products, and in the future we must also export grain products. Of course, first of all, we need to cover domestic demand," he said.

The farm is the first pilot project in Azerbaijan, which was created a few years ago. The farm, which wheat yield currently amounts to 57 quintals per hectare, has a good performance, the president underlined.

"I think this is a record, as the country's average wheat yield makes up 30 quintals. And we consider it as a good result, since the rate was 20-22 quintals," said the president. "This shows that in case of right approach, all issues can be resolved at the highest level. Productivity, observed here, is approaching the level of developed countries."

The head of state noted that Qaraba? Tax?l is a large farm. "Big investments were put in the farm, including state financial support, credits on favorable terms, and this is the result of joint activities of state and private sector," he said.

President Aliyev said that the activities of this sector now play a big role in ensuring food security of the country.

"For the first time in Azerbaijan, soybean was planted in this household. And this is a very positive fact. Unfortunately, in previous years we have not grown soybeans, despite the fact that it is a very effective sphere. And each year Azerbaijan spends $50 million for imports of soy from abroad. Now if we provide ourselves with soy that money will remain in our country. Secondly, in the future, we need to export soybeans. We have such an opportunity," said the president.

Experts claim that the population of Azerbaijan is expected to grow to 12.1 million people by 2050, thus increasing the country's demand for food supplies in the future.

Today all countries are experiencing some concerns in food safety, the president emphasized.

"Demand is increasing with the population growth in the world, but land plots are not increasing. Of course, very serious steps must be taken to meet the growing needs. We do not have such a large plot of land. Therefore, we must effectively use every inch of ground. None of inch of land should remain useless. On the other hand, we need to increase yields.

The agricultural sector is important in Azerbaijan not only to increase export potential, but also to restore and protect the country’s food security.

Enjoying advantageous geographic location Azerbaijan has all possibilities to increase food security and production in the country.

Involving new technologies and modern equipment is of crucial importance for the development of the agricultural sector and food production. However, the application of new technologies and purchase of modern agricultural techniques that require significant resources, to make changes in this area would not be possible without the support of the government.

The main directions of state policy is also focused on reducing the dependence of the domestic market on imports of food and maximum measures should be implemented for the establishment of food resource. 

As a result of agrarian reforms carried out in Azerbaijan, the guarantees were made for the dynamic development of agriculture. The country achieved 6.6-percent growth in the volume of agricultural production in 2015.