AGHDAM, Azerbaijan, October 5. A project to
build 300 hectares of greenhouses is planned in Aghdam, Agriculture
Minister Majnun Mammadov told reporters, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports.


The minister also noted that several projects related to the
development of the agricultural sector will be implemented in
Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur.


According to him, this initiative includes horticulture, the
construction of water infrastructure, the expansion of modern
irrigation systems, and the implementation of projects proposed by
the private sector.


Mammadov also spoke about a project to build greenhouses
covering an area of 300 hectares. He noted that, for the first time
in the country, there are plans to establish greenhouses in a
single location within an industrial zone.


“It is expected that the private sector will invest, while the
government will lay communication lines, power lines, and gas
pipelines. The first such project is being implemented in the
liberated territories – in the Jabrayil region, adjacent to the
industrial park currently under construction in the Araz Valley
Economic Zone,” the minister said.


He added that one of the project’s main goals is to leverage
opportunities for developing the processing industry in this
region. At the same time, the territory’s location along the
Zangezur Corridor will facilitate the logistics of exporting
products in the future.


The minister also touched on the use of AI and drones in
agriculture. He noted that the use of drones in agriculture is a
new development for Azerbaijan and is currently being implemented
in a controlled manner.


“Farmers and companies need to get used to this technology. We
believe that as the level of development increases and their
application becomes more refined, the use of drones will expand.
The Ministry of Agriculture and the Center for Agricultural
Innovation continue to provide training for drone operators and on
the use of drones in the agribusiness sector,” Mammadov added.







The minister noted that agribusiness festivals have been held
for about five years, and their number has increased significantly
in recent years:


“These festivals are held in all regions of Azerbaijan,
including remote areas. The main goal is to bring technologies,
seeds, fertilizers, and innovations used in the agribusiness sector
closer to farmers and familiarize them with these innovations. At
the same time, one of the main objectives is to facilitate the sale
of agricultural products and technologies,” he noted.


In addition, Mammadov emphasized that the 99 agribusiness
festivals held to date have generated sales totaling more than 16
million manat ($9.41 million), with over 85,000 farmers
participating in the events. In total, more than 500,000 citizens
have attended the festivals.


Furthermore, the minister stated that there are plans to hold
agricultural business festivals in collaboration with the private
sector in the future.


He also emphasized that new mechanisms for providing credit
support to the agricultural sector will be introduced:


“As part of the state program, a mechanism has already been
approved to subsidize interest rates on loans provided by the
Azerbaijan Business Development Fund, as well as on loans provided
by private banks. It is also planned that the government will cover
the interest rates on seasonal loans provided for the cultivation
of annual crops through the Agricultural Credit and Development
Agency (ACDA)».