Seed sowing started in the cotton-growing regions of Azerbaijan

Seed sowing started in the cotton-growing regions of Azerbaijan. Minister of agriculture Inam Karimov took part in the process of seed sown of farmer Nuraddin Mirzayev’s cotton field in the village of Agaalikand of Bilasuvar.

The Minister was informed that the fields were plowed in a timely manner, it was put in the wet, mowed and brought to readiness on the farm where the crops are being sown. It was noted that cotton manufacturers are fully provided with the necessary equipment, seeds, fertilizers and chemicals, and the equipments for sowing are already ready.

The Minister had a conversation with Nuraddin Mirzayev, a cotton farmer, and asked about the process of preparing for cotton sowing. The owner of the farm said that the planting of cotton in this area is carried out by the bloc method. The farmer expressed confidence in getting a large harvest and noted that the necessary agrotechnical rules have been observed in the industry.

Minister of agriculture Inam Karimov noted that this year, 21 districts of the Republic are projected to sow cotton on an area of about 100 thousand hectares: “Contracts have been signed with more than 19 thousand cotton manufacturers, and measures implemented to provide the acreage with seeds, mineral fertilizers, and pesticides. We are currently involved in the process of cotton sowing in Bilasuvar. It is intended to plant cotton on an area of 10603 hectares by region. Bilasuvar district has a great tradition of cotton growing. Only last year, farmers of Bilasuvar collected about 30 thousand tons of cotton and passed to the receiving points”.

The Minister informed farmers about the state support for cotton growing and the new subsidy rules applied this year.

Minister Inam Karimov stressed that on the basis of the instructions of the Head of State, appropriate measures implemented to minimize the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on agriculture: “At the current stage, the necessary measures implemented by the state to prevent the spread of coronavirus do not have a serious impact on the agricultural activities of farmers. Activities in the agricultural sector are regulated in accordance with the requirements of a special quarantine regime. According to the relevant decision of the Cabinet of Ministers, it is allowed to transport agricultural and food products from the districts to the capital, other major cities and districts in medium-sized and multi-tonnage cars. Farmers can freely sell their products to the capital, major cities and districts on the basis of a certificate received from local executive authorities. At the same time, products are exported to markets without any obstacles, as well as exported abroad”.

Minister Inam Karimov added that on April 14, President Ilham Aliyev signed an order “On allocating funds to improve the provision of micro-loans to agricultural producers in the conditions of the coronavirus pandemic and in the subsequent period”. According to the order, in the conditions of coronavirus pandemic and in the subsequent period, in order to meet needs of manufacturers of agricultural products in financial means, and to issue microcredits without security in the agricultural sector, 30 million manats have been allocated to the Agency for Agro Credit and Development under Ministry of Agriculture of the Azerbaijan Republic from the reserve fund of the President of the Azerbaijan Republic envisaged in the state budget of the Azerbaijan Republic: “The order which is signed on April 14 by the Head of state is an additional support for our farmers. You know that the demand for micro-loans arises from farmers, especially during the sowing period. When farmers apply to banks for a loan, banks in most cases require them to pledge housing in Baku in exchange for a loan. The order signed by Mr President will facilitate farmers' access to loans. The new Order provides for issuing micro-loans to farmers without requiring collateral”.

On 6 hectares belonging to the farmer Nuraddin Mirzayev, 2 polygonum aviculares were involved in mass seeding. During the special quarantine regime, seed sowing was implemented in strict compliance with all the recommendations and requirements of the Operational Headquarters under Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers.

Then Minister of agriculture Inam Karimov visited potato and strawberry fields in Jalilabad, followed the harvest process. Currently, it was noted that the regions have started collecting vegetables and strawberries. The observations show that the yield is relatively high since last year. Noting the timely and organized start of sowing, the farmers expressed their gratitude to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, for the support provided by the state in connection with the increase in production.

It should be noted that currently Jalilabad farmers not only supply potatoes to the domestic market, but also export them to the CIS countries. Farmers report that they have no problems with transportation and export of products, this year they will receive more income from potato exports.