Ilham Aliyev attended inauguration of Scientific Research Institute for Vegetable Growing

On January 24, President Ilham Aliyev attended the opening ceremony of the renovated Vegetable Research Scientific-Research Institute and the “Potatoes and Vegetable Seeds” complex in Pirshaghi settlement of Sabunchu district of Baku.

Minister of Agriculture Inam Karimov informed the head of state about the work done and said that an administrative-laboratory building, dining-room, seed storage depot, seed processing plant, seed-cleaning workshop, greenhouse complex and seed sales center were established in the area. In general, in 16 hectares of area, construction, renovation and greenery work were performed here.

President Ilham Aliyev cut the symbolic opening ribbon of the building.These equipments allow the implementation of soil, water, pesticide, virus, nitrogen-protein, starch and other analyzes. Here a biotechnology laboratory was constructed for the organization of the viral potato seeding at a modern level as 10 well.

In the Institute’s laboratories have been installed the up-to-date devices and equipments.

We have to mention that, this institute was created according to the decision of the Council of Ministers of the Azerbaijan SSR of May 6, 1965 in order to work out and to realise the selection of vegetables, melons and potato plants, seed-farming, agrotechnics, plant protection measures. This seed-growing complex was built in relation to the execution of the order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated July 4, 2016 “On Measures to Develop Seed-farming.

President Ilham Aliyev was informed about the electronic agricultural project.

It was noted that, the purpose of this project is to organize the electronization of agricultural activities and analizing of data in a electronic manner. The system incorporates special modules for collecting, analyzing, and providing information to users of this system in line with agricultural activities.

Institute and its subordinate institutions – Lankaran, Qusarchay and Tovuz zone experimental stations enforce methodical leadership to the preliminary seeding of vegetable varieties worked out on the scientific basis by the Shamkir support point and Absheron auxiliary experience farm, scientific and methodological assistance to super-elite and elite seed production, study of processing technology of different kinds of vegetable varieties and application of scientific achievements and advanced experience in production.

Establishment of new varieties and hybrids of vegetables, melons and potato plants and harmonization of seeding to standards are taken into account. At a given moment 158 people are functioning here and 17 of them are Scientist, 2 are Doctor of Science and 15 are Doctor of Philosophy.

For the first time in the country it is planned to process vegetable seeds with modern equipment and packaging at the seed processing centers. The area of 30 hectares and 6.14 hectares of greenhouse vegetable and potato plants for the sowing system was built for the complex.

In recent years, under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, significant work has been done in the direction of development of agriculture and agricultural sector in our country. Reconstruction of the Institute of Vegetable Science Scientific Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture, establishment of “Potato and vegetable seeding production” are one of the projects executed in this direction as well. Creation of such a modern complex has an important role in paying for the seeds of high quality productive plant varieties, in terms of increasing the production of seed products in our country.

Establishing of such specialized enterprises for the 11 production and storage of seeds of different plant varieties has a great importance in the development of agriculture, which is an important area of the non-oil sector. In addition, such measures are also making a contribution to the increase of our country’s export potential and the high level of food security by reducing dependence on imports. Toward the objective of Agricultural Development Volunteers’ project was informed to President Ilham Aliyev.

It was noted that the objective of this project is to provide state support for the development of the agricultural sector, the formation of a voluntary society in the agricultural sector. Thus, it is important to stimulate the creation of specialized personnels in this field in future and to achieve sustainable development in this field through the promotion of innovative technologies. Then the President met with a group of agricultural development volunteers.

The volunteer Sarvan Jabrailzade delivered a speech:

- Dear Mr. President.
We welcome you on behalf of the volunteers of agricultural development. Our movement aims to support the development at the agricultural sector. We have already been able to organize in 35 regions. We have been working for four months. Despite this short period of time, we attracted 600 young people. For three years, we plan to bring our numbers more than 10 000 young people. Our volunteers work at the State Agricultural Development Centers (SADC). At SADC,, we are with farmers, we support them, and at the same time we accumulate experience in the agricultural sector. We are confident that with your blessing and support we will be able to achieve even greater success. We, as volunteers, are actively engaged in training. Our volunteers provide information about the essence of the reforms carried out by farmers in the regions. As a result, our farmers are acquainted with these reforms. Our volunteers also accumulate some experience in agricultural 12 science.

The volunteer Rubabe Yusifova said:

- Dear Mr. President,
Agricultural development volunteers support agricultural initiatives. Our state has youth oriented projects. We encourage our volunteers to participate in these projects. We know that volunteering will help us to become a specialist. Our goals are clear. We would like to increase employment among young people in regions. You know, you support the volunteer movement. Your pay attention is that we encourage volunteers to work more actively. Many thanks for your attention of volunteers.

President Ilham Aliyev made a speech:

- Thank you in advance, I congratulate you cordially! I am very pleased that the “Volunteers of Agricultural Development” movement is being launched in Azerbaijan. I am sure that this movement has a great future. In general, the number of volunteers in Azerbaijan is increasing, and this is very gratifying. As you know, the movement of volunteers in Azerbaijan originated at “ASAN xidmət” centers and assumed very large proportions. To this day, thousands of volunteers worked at “ASAN xidmət” and are currently successfully working in various positions.
Volunteers have also helped us host representative international events, in particular the European Games and the Games of Islamic Solidarity. Volunteers have made a significant contribution to the preparation and hosting of these games. As you know, I have awarded them all with honorary diplomas. Today, volunteers start their activities in the agricultural sector as well. I warmly welcome this initiative because the young people living in the regions can achieve great success in the agricultural sector by joining this work. The agricultural sector is strategic for us. This is both an economic and a social sphere. Forty-seven percent of our population lives in the regions.
Therefore, the attention being paid to the socioeconomic development of agriculture and the regions in recent years aims to increase both employment and productivity. Azerbaijan has reached the highest level both in terms of addressing the domestic demand and in terms of the volume of exports. Today, we are bringing these issues to the fore at the opening of the Research Institute of Vegetable Growing under the Ministry of Agriculture. Using the example of this wonderful institution, we see the work being done in the agricultural sector 13 today. The institution established in the 1960s practically did not operate in recent years. It had almost collapsed.
In 2016, a relevant order on the reconstruction of the institute at the modern level was signed, and the most modern center has been created on an area of 30 hectares – greenhouses, a beautiful building of the institute, laboratories. This institute is of great importance because seed-growing greenhouses are being created in Azerbaijan for the first time.
We have a lot of greenhouses now and there is a huge interest in vegetable production, but the creation of seed greenhouses begins only today, and this center will support all regions of the country. Vegetable growing is a traditional branch of our agriculture, a highly profitable area. You probably know that the greatest income amongst agricultural products is brought by the export of tomatoes. Farmers are eagerly engaged in this business. Other vegetables are also grown extensively. We increase production every year.
The operation of this institute will significantly increase the yields and, to a certain extent, also prevent the outflow of currency abroad because all the seeds are brought from abroad today and major funds are spent on their acquisition. From now on, a significant part of the seeds will be grown in our country, triggering the flow of currency into Azerbaijan, increasing employment and productivity. By fully providing ourselves, we will access foreign markets with greater export opportunities. This is our goal.
The diversification of the country’s economy, the development of the non-oil sector and agriculture are the main issues on the agenda. There are also positive trends in industry. As you know, a carbamide plant was recently opened in Sumgayit.
This is a large project implemented in the nonoil sector. We will fully provide ourselves with nitrogen fertilizers. At the same time, we will export produce worth about $150-160 million. Pivot irrigation systems and 14 pesticide plants operate in Azerbaijan. In other words, industrial production also supports agriculture and creates the necessary conditions for its development.
Of course, I believe that the active participation of such young people as you in this work is the main condition, the main factor of success. I am very pleased that the Azerbaijani youth is showing great interest in the agricultural sector. This is a true innovation in Azerbaijan. It used to be believed that the agricultural sphere was not so attractive, not so interesting. It was even thought that it was not very profitable.
But it all depends on how you approach it. If the state supports agriculture, there will be both income and interest, and it will provide itself with innovations. The development of agriculture enjoys tremendous state support in Azerbaijan – subsidies are provided, farmers are exempted from all taxes except for the land tax. Equipment is purchased and loans are provided on concessional terms. At present, large-scale reforms are under way in agriculture, the mechanism for issuing subsidies is being improved, and a clearer and more transparent mechanism is being applied. While at the institute, I was briefed on the “Electronic Agriculture” project. In other words, completely new conditions are being created for farmers, so agriculture will become a very attractive area. I am sure that when the people of Azerbaijan see that such literate and knowledgeable young people as you show an interest in this area, interest in agriculture will increase even more.
I am very glad that we are together opening this wonderful institute after reconstruction. I should also note that structural reforms are currently underway at the Ministry of Agriculture and other state agencies. These reforms have one goal: build work at an even higher level. I should also emphasize that those who worked in the organizations that have been made redundant will be provided with work in existing agencies.
No cuts are expected in agriculture. Other agencies have been instructed that the reforms should not lead to staff cuts. So let the people working in these institutions, services and agencies know that their employment is always in the spotlight. Please accept my greetings and congratulations again! You will work in different regions of Azerbaijan and contribute to our common cause. Thank you!