Fifty Large Farms to be Created in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan produced 2,763,000 tons of grain this year, including 1,844,000 tons of wheat.  Compared to the same period last year, grain production increased by 1.6% and wheat by 1.7%, Agriculture Minister Ismat Abbasov told journalists.  With more efficient use of existing acreage and by creating new grain farms it will be possible to meet the country’s  needs in grain, wheat and fodder crops. 

According to Abbasov, favorable weather conditions in the coming year will yield 2,800,000 tons of grain. In response to a question posed by a Turan journalist, the Minister explained that farmers are exempt from eight of nine kinds of tax. "They only pay land tax, and it is a token amount. Moreover, agricultural subsidies are provided through different programs. Agrarian leasing is also one of the types of subsidies. Equipment, technological equipment, fertilizer producers provided on favorable terms," he said. 

Since January 2007, farmers receive 40 manat for each hectare of cultivated area. To encourage the cultivation of grain, an additional 40 manat are paid, Abbasov said. 

The state finances the production of seed varieties at scientific research institutes - "super-elite", "original" and "elite". 30-40% of the cost of reproductive seeds R-1 and R-2 is paid by the state. 

Over the first nine months of this year agriculture production has increased is 6.3%. "In the case of the effective use of crop areas, advanced irrigation techniques, necessary technical measures in the near future we can increase agricultural production by at least two times," said the Minister. 

Concerning livestock, Abbasov said that Azerbaijan raises a number of livestock. If you achieve high productivity, the country will be able to meet their needs for meat and meat products, as well as in milk and milk products. 

Currently, each cow in Azerbaijan produces on average four liters of milk, which is extremely low. To improve performance, the country imported breeding cattle. 5,000 breeding cattle were imported from Europe. The import of an additional 1200-1230 cattle is proposed.  A total of 7300 pedigree cattle are in Azerbaijan. 

Responding to a question from a Turan journalist about the idea of creating large farms, the minister said 4,800 hectares have been allocated in Agjabedi and Beylagan regions. Irrigation channels are built and other measures are taken. 

"These lands will be made available to farmers on a competitive basis. The President gave the government the task to create 50 large grain farms," said the minister.—06D-