A delegation led by Azad Jafarli, Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, participated in the Global Green Agriculture Forum

A delegation led by Azad Jafarli, Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, participated in the Global Green Agriculture Forum and the Second Regional Science and Innovation Week for Europe and Central Asia, held in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, on September 9-11 of this year. Rashad Huseynov, Head of the Agricultural Research Center, was also part of the delegation.

Azad Jafarli made a presentation at the Forum on the topic of “Green Agriculture Policy in Azerbaijan”. He provided information on the work done in Azerbaijan on the transition to green agriculture. He noted that in recent years, Azerbaijan has significantly increased investments in climate-resilient agriculture. The liberated Karabakh and East Zangezur are being developed as “green zones”. The development of agriculture in these areas is carried out on the basis of renewable energy, smart irrigation technologies, modern logistics infrastructure, etc.

The speaker also drew attention to the widespread application of the "smart village" concept in Azerbaijan, noting that the pilot project implemented in the Agali village of the Zangilan region demonstrates the integration of modern agricultural technologies, renewable energy sources, and innovative social services in this regard.

Stating that climate-based agriculture has been identified as a priority in Azerbaijan in recent years, the Azerbaijani official also drew attention to the work done in the country in the field of development of ecological agriculture, application of water and energy-saving technologies, protection and improvement of soil, reduction of climate change impacts and greenhouse gas emissions, and provided information about state support measures in this area. He noted that special subsidies and certification schemes are applied in the country to promote organic farming, reduction of the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and state support is provided to farmers using modern irrigation systems.

The head of the staff also drew attention to the COP29 event held in Baku last year and reminded that Azerbaijan has made a new commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He noted that emissions from agriculture account for approximately 20% of Azerbaijan's total greenhouse gas emissions, and the Ministry of Agriculture has committed to significantly reducing this share by 2030 through the use of renewable energy sources and climate-smart practices.

A number of bilateral meetings were also held within the framework of the events, exchanges of views with experts and specialists were held, and experiences were shared.

During the meeting between Dr. Pál Goda, Managing Director of the Hungarian Agricultural Economics Research Institute (AKI), and Rashad Huseynov, Director of the Agricultural Research Center, an agreement was reached to further improve relations and exchange experiences on a permanent basis.