The 16th Azerbaijan International Agricultural Exhibition is being held in Baku

The 16th Azerbaijan International Agricultural Exhibition ("Caspian Agro") and the 28th Azerbaijan International Food Industry Exhibition ("InterFood Azerbaijan") have initialized their work at the Baku Expo Center.

Making a speech at the opening ceremony, Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov noted that this 16th exhibition coincides with a very remarkable year. This year, our Nation celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev who is the founder of modern Azerbaijan. For this principle, the exhibition that started today is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev. The Minister mentioned that the era of the National Leader that leading our country was forever engraved in our modern history with the peculiairized eternal and irreversible independence, the strengthening of statehood, and the creation of a solid foundation for economic development. The development of the independent state of Azerbaijan, as well as the agricultural sector in Azerbaijan, is closely correlated to the activities of the Great Leader. The political course of Heydar Aliyev is successfully continued by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev. Decisions made by the head of state, decrees and orders signed by the head of state create a real basis for the sustainable development of the country's economy, including the agrarian sector.

The Minister added that the intensive development of agriculture precisely leans on the application of innovations in the agrarian sector as well. The state supports the application of innovations and modern technologies in agriculture, as in all fields in our country. Since the use of innovations in agricultural fields is today's challenge, the exhibition that started today acknowlegedes producers of agricultural products to be aware of these innovative alterations.

Making a speech at the event, the Chairman of the Food Safety Agency, Goshgar Tahmezli, noted that the measures taken by the state played a significant role in providing the population with safer food products and increasing the export potential of agricultural and food products. Demonstration of agricultural and food products and services at this international event will grant establishing and expanding new business relationships.

Chairman of the Board of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency, Orkhan Mammadov emphasized the prominence of exhibitions in expanding the sales opportunities of small and medium businesses (SMEs), promoting products and services. He said that agriculture and food industry are among the sectors where SMEs operate more. KOBIA also supports SMEs operating in these sectors within the framework of various services and mechanisms. Projects implemented within the framework of public-private cooperation will make a positive contribution to the development of the agricultural and food industry, and ultimately the country's economy, in the coming years.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Khayala Dadashova emphasized that the production of agricultural products is one of the essential conditions for food and nutrition security. The Deputy Minister added that Nakhchivan farmers prefer to grow more organic products.

Director of "Iteca Caspian" company Farid Mammadov noted that 479 companies from 31 countries of the world are represented at "Caspian Agro 2023" and "InterFood Azerbaijan 2023" exhibitions.

It should be indicated that the "Caspian Agro" exhibition brought together the leading participants of the agricultural industry, local and foreign experts, including importers, exporters, distributors, wholesale and retail trade representatives, as well as thousands of professional visitors, including farmersThe participants of the exhibition included companies from the USA, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Poland, Austria, Spain, Latvia, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkey, Israel and India in addition to Azerbaijan. 71% of participants are foreign companies in both exhibitions.

Modern innovative technologies, techniques, and modern irrigation systems applied in agriculture are demonstrated at the exhibition. Participants are able to get interesting information in smart sections such as Electronic Agriculture, robotics, drones, IT services, artificial intelligence, alternative energy sources. A stand dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Heydar Aliyev was installed in the pavilion where the Ministry of Agriculture is represented. The latest achievements of scientific research institutes of the ministry, products and agrarian solutions presented by the winners of start-up competitions, equipment and products related to green energy sources are demonstrated in the pavilion.

It should be indicated that panel discussions covering various fields of agriculture will be held under the name "Agrarian Innovations Forum" in partnership with the Agrarian Innovation Center of the Ministry of Agriculture within the framework of the "Caspian Agro" exhibition.