OXFAM: Agriculture in Azerbaijan needs reforms

British international humanitarian organization (OXFAM) with the financial support of the European Union met on Friday presentation of the project: "16 days for a woman."

The program provides solutions to food security through small farms, the overall development of rural areas, and women's role in addressing food security. OXFAM Manager Orhan Ali said that Azerbaijan, on the index of food security occupies 62nd place among 109 countries. Farms are very important for food security, they allow different kinds of food. All this is taken into account in the program: "Development Strategy of Agriculture (2014-2020)."  Orhan  Ali hopes that law "On the establishment of farmers' cooperatives", which is considered in Parliament on third reading, will be adopted.

Project Manager Ramil Aslanov noted that the bulk of the population's income is spent on food. "Application of a new technology and technique may reduce the cost of food by 60%.  Fertilizer and seeds  used in the country are mainly imported. Our research show that 40% of imported seeds are substandard or expired. Most of the population is not informed on the issue of land, water and fertilizer," she said.

In this connection it is necessary to create special laboratories that allow to  evaluate the quality. "Technology is out of date, it is necessary to accelerate the application of new achievements, create cooperatives, as large buyers are not interested in working with small farmers,"  said Aslanova;

45.9% of the population live in rural areas. "22% of the total labor force employed in agriculture, of which 52.6% - women. Nevertheless, women earn 57% of men's wages.  In the  high paid spheres women are underrepresented, noted  in  his speech OXFAM employee for work with civil society Matanat Gahramanova.

Studies show that in families where the family budget regulate women, efficiency is increased by 20%. At the same time, women are virtually unaware of agricultural machinery, lack of information about the composition of the earth, fertilizers and other. The role of women in the delivery of products to the market is too small. OXFAM also announced a competition for journalists on presented topics. Those wishing to take part in the competition must send their articles to OXFAM office until December 10 this year. -03B-