Republican Conference on "Cotton-growing-2022: upcoming tasks" was held in Salyan

Republican Conference on "Cotton-growing-2022: upcoming tasks" was held in Salyan. Minister of Agriculture Inam Karimov, chairman ofAzerbaijan Amelioration and Water Management OJSC Zaur Mikayilov, general director of Azerbaijan Industrial Corporation Kamran Nabizade, representatives of the administration and subordinate bodies of the Ministry of Agriculture, heads of cotton procurement and processing companies, management of Azerbaijan State Agricultural University, responsible people of the district executive authority, heads of State Agricultural Development Centers of the regions where cotton is grown, and farmers engaged in cotton-growing took part.

Opening the meeting, Sevindik Hatamov, head of Salyan District Executive Power, noted that, according to the instruction of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, comprehensive measures are implemented to develop cotton-growing in Azerbaijan. There is a great potential and traditions in the production of agricultural products, including cotton-growing, and indicators in the agricultural sector are growing every year In Salyan district, .

Minister of Agriculture Inam Karimov made a speech at the meeting and noted that cotton-growing is one of the areas of agriculture with strong traditions in our country. The development of this sector has a positive impact on the growth of our farmers' income and the level of employment in the region. Strengthening measures to support the development of cotton-growing by the state in recent years have made this area even more attractive for our farmers. As a result of increased interest in this area, the volume of cotton-growing and average yield indicators are rising year by year. The development of cotton-growing is always in the spotlight of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev. Adoption and implementation of the state program on the development of this sector, increasing subsidies to farmers and other support measures inspire our cotton growers to achieve high results.

In 2021, the average yield in the regions of Agjabadi, Neftchala, Tartar, Salyan and Yevlakh exceeded 30 quintals. The indicator obtained in these districts is higher than the national indicator. At the same time, as a result of proper organization of agrotechnical care, 1202 farms in the republic received on average 59 quintals per hectare, and in 210 farms more than 60 quintals per hectare.

Recalling that cotton companies increased the purchase price of cotton by 50 Manats per ton in October last year, the minister said that on the eve of the meeting, the Ministry of Agriculture held discussions with companies in this direction. According to the discussions, the companies agreed to increase the purchase price of raw cotton from farmers by another 2022 by 50 manats. Thus, in 2022, companies will receive from farmers 650-750 manats per ton of cotton, depending on the variety. Depending on the course of the season, cotton companies will once again consider increasing the purchase price of cotton on the eve of harvest.

It was noted that the Agricultural Subsidy Council has made changes to the rules for subsidizing cotton growig in order to stimulate production. From this year, farmers will receive only a crop subsidy for the cotton they deliver. Farmers will receive a subsidy of 170 manat for each ton of cotton delivered. In order to receive a crop subsidy, it is enough for farmers to declare their crops in the EAIS, regardless of land ownership.

Zaur Mikayilov, chairman of Azerbaijan Melioration and Water Management OJSC, spoke about the implementation work for the more efficient use of existing water resources, provision of sown areas with economic Water, creation of water charts and integration to EAIS. He said that the coordinated activities of the relevant agencies will be provided in the next season too.

Imran Jumshudov, Head of the Crop Production Organization and Monitoring Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, General Director of “MKT Production Commerce” LLC Rovshan Hasanov, Chairman of the Cotton Producers Association Ibrahim Mammadov, farmers Balash Ahmadov, Alibala Salimov and other people made speeches on the implementation work in the direction of development of cotton-growing in the country, preparation for the upcoming new season.

At the meeting, discussions were held on the prospects for the development of cotton-growing, further strengthening of relations between farmers and supplier companies, provision of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and machinery, the implementation work to eliminate the negative effects of climate change on cotton-growing, the need to carry out agrotechnical care measures in accordance with the technological map, irrigation issues and other discussions were held around.

The meeting held in the format of active dialogue with farmers lasted about 3 hours. The questions of farmers were answered by the heads of the relevant structural divisions of the ministry, the proposals sounded were registered, the heads of the relevant bodies and structural divisions were instructed to resolve the issues raised.

At the end of the discussions, it was noted that the meetings in this format will be continued, farmers will be informed about the implementation work to solve raised issues.