The growing share of Azerbaijan’s agriculture in GDP is part of the strategy of moving away from the homogeneous structure of the state based mainly on oil. Nevertheless, being the third biggest sphere in Azerbaijani economy (after oil and construction) agriculture possesses biggest share in employment (in 2016, 39,1% of total employed population was working in agriculture, and only 1% in oil sector). Agriculture is starting to play an increasingly important role, especially in sugar, fruit and cattle production (the highest percentage in export in agriculture). Unfortunately, only 16,0% of farms in cropping use mineral fertilizer and 32,0% organic fertilizer. Azerbaijan is currently struggling to prepare the necessary infrastructure for organic agriculture. The Law on Ecologically Clean Agriculture (2008) sets up general rules to develop organic agriculture in AZ. The experience, knowledge and technology of the V4 countries in the field of waste processing in the agricultural sector will help support and ensure more effective, and innovative use of agri waste, which AZ is still lacking.
The experience, knowledge and technology of the V4 countries in the field of waste processing in the agricultural sector will help support and ensure more effective, and innovative use of agri waste, which AZ is still lacking. Project answers the priorities of FAO’s (2019) for Azerbaijan, which are: promotion of women’s representation in rural organizations and income-generating activities for rural women as a cross-cutting issue; Supporting investments in sustainable agriculture; Capacity development, including agri education, research and extension.
CIRCULAR FARM IMPACT LAB V4 for Azerbaijan: best practices in resources management in agriculture & processing is a project focused on Regional Development, Environment and Tourism, (EaP) Competitive economies and economic modernization as the basis for stable and sustainable development, social welfare and integration to international markets. The main aim of the project is to support young farmers from Azerbaijan to improve their production by innovative solutions of agri waste management and its re-use and to share V4 know-how to young farmers from Azerbaijan, so that farmers may not only gain knowledge but also practice about resources management and re-treatment in agriculture through both Lab with analyses and exposure tour to V4 countries.
Idea owners selected for exposure tour to V4 and individual tailored tutoring:
- Tahmina Pashayeva: “Azure”: Grape Seed Oil Product; rep. Economic Research Centre of Azerbaijan
- Ilkin Huseynov: Pulverized Hazelnut Husk & Shells; rep. Agro Research Centre
- Gulmira Safarova, Olive Pomace & Pulp Reused; rep. TU Global
- Madina Hashimli, “Bee Younger”: Beeswax Use Booster; rep. Azerbaijan Micro-finance Association
- Nigar Islamli: Eggshellent: Eggshell Fertilizer; rep. Azerbaijan State Economic University
The project sets tools, such as Value chains maps: gaps identification; Quest for solutions +clustering/ synergies Clustering & road-map in 3 main areas: efficient water & energy management: circular approach & animal feed & fertilizers from by waste/by/side products & food and consumable from waste/by/side products combined with the study tour to V4 countries to gain the access to practical solutions, experience and know how implemented in agriculture in V4 countries with its variety and individual approaches in every country.
Podcasts on rural problem nexus, integrating best V4 practices, examples, case studies and theory: regarding circular economy available here.