Minister Majnun Mammadov participated in a scientific-practical conference dedicated to the 102nd anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev' birth in Ganja

Meeting with faculty and students held at ASAU

A republican scientific-practical conference on the theme “Agrarian Reforms 30: Achievements and Perspectives” dedicated to the 102nd anniversary of the birth of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev was held at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Ganja city, organized by the Azerbaijan State Agricultural University (ASAU).

The conference participants first visited the monument to the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev and laid flowers in front of the monument. The conference began with the playing of the National Anthem and a minute of silence in memory of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev and the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity of our lands.

Opening the event with an introductory speech, the rector of the Azerbaijan State Agricultural University, Zafar Gurbanov, spoke about the importance of the scientific-practical conference. He emphasized that the agrarian reforms implemented since the late 1990s have created a fundamental turning point in the development of Azerbaijani agriculture, and spoke about the strategic results of the wise policy of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev in this direction. The rector noted that thanks to the attention and care of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to the agrarian sector, the material and technical base of ASAU has been reconstructed at the expense of funds allocated from the state budget, educational buildings have been overhauled and restored, and new buildings have been built. This has created a basis for improving the quality of the educational process at the university. The university's progress in international rankings in recent years is also an indicator of the increase in the scientific and educational potential of ASAU. In the Webometrics world university ranking, this higher education institution rose to 19th place in 2021, 14th in 2022, 13th in 2023 and 12th in 2024, and according to the January 2025 edition, it took 10th place among 35 higher education institutions in the country and the highest position among regional universities.

Speaking at the conference, Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov provided information on the measures taken to develop the agrarian sector over the past 30 years. The Minister said that during the reign of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev in Azerbaijan, the decisions made, the reforms implemented and the comprehensive action plan formed the basic principles of sustainable development in the agrarian sector. As a result of the wise and far-sighted leadership of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev, the steps taken in this area created a reliable foundation for sustainable development in agriculture in the following years. Minister Majnun Mammadov noted that the declaration of agricultural development as a priority by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the creation and consistent expansion of a multi-faceted state support system, and the deepening of reforms ensure the long-term dynamic development of the agrarian sector. In accordance with the instructions of the Head of State, the Ministry of Agriculture is taking large-scale measures to implement agrarian reforms. These measures serve to improve the well-being of farmers as a whole and increase the competitiveness of agriculture.

Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Board of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency, provided information on the mechanisms created for the development of SMEs operating in the agrarian sector, state support measures, and the work done to stimulate the initiative of local farmers.

Adil Taghiyev, Deputy Head of the Ganja City Executive Power, shared his views on the development of agriculture in the region, infrastructure projects, and projects implemented to strengthen human capital in the agrarian sector.

Director of the Agricultural Research Center Rashad Huseynov touched upon the scientific research work carried out in recent years and the integration of their results into the practical field.

Chairman of the Ganja city organization of the New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) Bayram Aslanov spoke about the importance attached by the National Leader Heydar Aliyev to the development of the agrarian sector and drew attention to the work done for the sustainable development of this sector.

After the conference, Minister Majnun Mammadov met with a group of professors and teaching staff and students of the Azerbaijan State Agricultural University (ASAU). During the meeting, the issues of developing agrarian education, training personnel in accordance with modern requirements, promoting scientific research, and applying innovative approaches in agriculture were discussed. Minister Majnun Mammadov touched upon the role of the university in training qualified specialists in the agrarian sector, and noted the importance of continuing work to improve the knowledge level of students, support startup initiatives, and expand opportunities for participation in international internship programs.

Minister Majnun Mammadov visited the Ganja State Agricultural College operating under the Azerbaijan State Agricultural University and was interested in the organization of the personnel training process. It was noted that the college provides theoretical knowledge and practical skills that allow the implementation of tasks in specific areas of activity related to various professional directions in the agricultural sector.