Exhibition and sale fair of nuts and nut products in Zagatala

On September 13, an exhibition and sale fair of hazelnuts and its products was held in Zagatala. At the exhibition organized in Heydar Aliyev Park, about 500 kilograms of nuts of about 20 varieties, examples of art work made by local artisans from hazelnuts, walnuts and chestnuts, products produced by enterprises engaged in processing and exporting nuts, and scientific research institutes were displayed.

The main goal of the event organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, is the promotion of hazelnut and other nuts cultivation to a wider audience, which is one of the traditional sectors for Zagatala's agriculture.

Mubariz Ahmadzade, the Head of the Zagatala District Executive Authority, stated during the event's opening ceremony that hazelnut cultivation has evolved into one of the region's traditional agricultural areas since the middle of the last century. At the moment, the work is ongoing in the direction of establishing new hazelnut gardens in Zagatala. As a result of the work done, the district is leading in terms of the area of hazelnut orchards and hazelnut production. The presence of these fairs, festivals, and exhibitions in the region helps to promote nuts farming while also enhancing the region's tourism potential.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sarvan Jafarov stated that it is no coincidence that events in this format, which has maintained its popularity for years, are held in Zagatala: “Zagatala is also our country's leading hazelnut-growing region; 25 percent of Azerbaijan's hazelnut orchards are located in this region, and 45 percent of the hazelnuts production in the country are concentrated in Zagatala. Hazelnut is one of the most popular nuts in our country and one of the most exported products to foreign countries. The state is supporting the growth of hazelnut cultivation in our country. Hazelnut crops are subsidized; for the first four years, newly established intensive hazelnut orchards receive a subsidy of 730 manats per hectare. At the same time, each hectare of intensive hazelnut orchards established on unoccupied Forest Fund lands, mountainous and foothill areas receives a one-time cultivation subsidy of 4,400 manats. State support for the development of hazelnut cultivation does not end there, as in other intensive orchards, 40 percent of the cost of modern irrigation systems built in hazelnut orchards is paid by the state".

The deputy minister mentioned that the state's support for the cultivation has stimulated farmers' interest in the crop: "The increase in orchards has a positive effect on the country's export potential. The export geography of Azerbaijani hazelnuts is also expanding; our products are exported to Italy, Russia, Germany, Kazakhstan, Switzerland and other countries”.

Ambassador Peter Mikhalko, head of the Delegation of the European Union in Azerbaijan, Melek Cakmak, head of the Azerbaijan representation of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), administration of the Azerbaijan Food Safety Agency and other persons wished success to the work of the exhibition-fair.

Later, the participants of the event got acquainted with the exhibited products, examples of art work and handicrafts, and met with representatives of companies engaged in the production and processing of hazelnut and farmers. At the meetings, views were exchanged on the progress of harvesting, work done to increase productivity, innovations applied in the establishment of intensive and super-intensive orchards, processing and export of hazelnut products, and suggestions were recorded.