Innovative lighting technology to be applied in greenhouse system for the first time in Azerbaijan

The presentation ceremony of agrarian İnnovation Platform was held

Azerbaijan has launched innovative lighting technologies in greenhouse systems. An agreement on the application of innovative lighting technologies in greenhouses was signed between the Agrarian Innovation Center under the Ministry of Agriculture, the Association of Fruit and Vegetable Producers and Exporters of Azerbaijan, Signify and Grow Group on March 15.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Agriculture Inam Karimov said that as a result of the consistent policy pursued by the state, the sustainable development of the agricultural sector is being continued. Vegetable products have a special weight in agricultural exports, and increasing the competitiveness of agricultural products makes it important to apply innovations in the agricultural sector: “Vegetables have a special place in the export of agricultural products in Azerbaijan. Most of the exported tomatoes and other vegetable products are grown in greenhouses. Greenhouses operating in Azerbaijan, which specialize in vegetable exports, must also be technologically ready to compete with greenhouses in other countries. It is important to build greenhouses in our country based on modern technologies, both in terms of increasing food production and continuing to compete in foreign markets. Currently, one of the most widespread technologies in modern vegetable greenhouses is the LED lighting system. As a result of the application of this technology, 150-200 tons of additional tomatoes and other vegetable products are obtained from each hectare. At the same time, we will be able to produce high-quality vegetables throughout the year, which will increase not only the production of vegetables, but also the amount of currency entering the country.

Uim Strigs, Signify’s Commercial Director for Central and Eastern Europe, made a presentation on the positive impact of innovative lighting on productivity in modern greenhouse vegetables. U. Strigs noted that the application of innovative lighting means increases the quantity and quality of products grown in greenhouses.

Other speakers at the ceremony said that the increase in production in greenhouses equipped with modern lighting systems will have a positive impact on the growth of vegetable exports, especially tomatoes.

Then an agreement was signed on the application of innovative lighting technologies in greenhouses. At the initial stage, the state will provide relevant support and benefits in the supply of electricity for the application of these technologies in the greenhouses owned by “Buta Group” and “Grow Group”. The future expansion of this pilot project will depend on product growth.

The presentation of the Agrarian Innovation Platform was also held as part of the event. It was noted at the presentation that projects related to digitalization and innovation have always been a priority, which is why they are closely involved in the creation of this platform.

The Agrarian Innovation Platform is an easy-to-use platform for receiving, processing and tracking the implementation stages of innovative projects. This platform will bring together agricultural producers, companies, local and international organizations.

The purpose of this platform, created at the initiative of the Agrarian Innovation Center, is to support the ideas and initiatives of farmers and ensure the development of the agricultural sector on an innovative basis. Individuals and legal entities submitting innovative projects in the agricultural sector through the platform will be able to implement their projects with the support of the public and private sectors.