The first Agricultural Business Festival was held in the liberated territories

The festival held in the village of Agali, Zangilan region aims to support the development of agriculture in the liberated territories.

The next festival, organized by the Agrarian Innovation Center of the Ministry of Agriculture and supported by the Special Representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Jabrayil, Gubadli and Zangilan regions, was held in the village of Aghali, Zangilan region. The festival, which was held for the first time in the liberated regions, was met with great interest by residents and farmers. The festival was organized to support the development of the agricultural sector in the liberated territories, to familiarize farmers with modern technologies and to ensure their accessibility.

Within the framework of the festival, agricultural products and technologies were exhibited in the village of Aghali, Zangilan region. Farmers were provided with information about modern irrigation systems, innovative technologies, and productivity-increasing solutions. At the same time, panel discussions and educational sessions were organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, other relevant state agencies and private enterprises at the festival.

At the Agrarian Business Festival, practical experiments on spraying herbicides and pesticides using spray drones were carried out for residents of Zangilan and Jabrayil districts, who had received theoretical training on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in agriculture, by specialists from the Turkish company “Sapmaz Havacılık ve İleri Teknolojiler”.

The official opening of the festival was attended by the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Majnun Mammadov, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Jabrayil, Gubadli and Zangilan districts Vahid Hajiyev, farmers from Zangilan, Jabrayil, Gubadli, Fuzuli, Beylagan and other surrounding districts.

Opening the event with an introductory speech, the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Jabrayil, Gubadli and Zangilan regions, Vahid Hajiyev, said that the village of Aghaly in the Zangilan region was the first address of the "Great Return": "For 3 years now, there has been life in Aghaly. It is very gratifying that today, for the first time, an agricultural festival is taking place in the village of Aghaly, where the firsts were experienced. Companies and farmers specializing in the agricultural sector come together here and present their services and products. I think that holding such an event will be a significant contribution to the development of agriculture in the territories liberated from occupation." Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov noted that as a result of the strategy laid on solid foundations by the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev, the policy pursued by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, and the valor of our glorious army, our lands were liberated from occupation in a short time. Currently, extensive construction and restoration work is being carried out in these territories. The Minister noted that people working in agriculture have a great responsibility in restoring agricultural activities on historical lands and revitalizing the land. Supporting digital agricultural systems, agrarian startups, and applying artificial intelligence and smart agricultural technologies are transforming agriculture into a more productive and modern sector. Calling agriculture a science-based field of activity, the Minister recalled that lands in the village of Agali were provided for the use of residents, and emphasized that as a result of proper organization of land and water infrastructure and agrotechnical maintenance, economic benefits and productivity in the agricultural sector in the village of Agali will be higher.

Director of the Agrarian Innovation Center Anar Jafarov noted in his speech that the Agrarian Business Festivals, in addition to demonstrating new technologies and products, are also a platform for education and exchange of experience. He said that through these festivals, farmers not only get acquainted with the latest innovations applied in the agricultural sector, but also gain new opportunities to market their products.

At the end of the official opening part, the participants of the trainings were presented with certificates approved by the General Directorate of Civil Aviation of the Republic of Turkey and driving licenses for operating drones.

At the festival, agricultural machinery and equipment, modern irrigation systems, technologies operating with alternative energy sources, fertilizers and pesticides, plant varieties resistant to climate change and other innovative products were demonstrated by companies specializing in agriculture.

At the credit fair organized within the framework of the festival, state financial institutions and leading banks offered farmers profitable credit products, and farmers were informed about the loans allocated for organizing their farm business.

Also, a panel discussion on the topic of “State financial mechanisms” was organized at the festival. The session exchanged views on the prospects for financing the agricultural sector in the East Zangezur economic region.