Discussion on the Status of Implementation of the Strategic Roadmap for Agriculture

The Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication hosted the discussion on the Strategic Roadmap on Production and Processing of Agricultural Products in the Republic of Azerbaijan.  During the event, such issues as coordination of the  activities of executive bodies, monitoring and evaluation, as well as the successful implementation of the upcoming tasks were  discussed.

Vusal Gasimli, Executive Director of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication, noted that in order to  achieve the goals set by 2020, the document plans to implement measures on 9 strategic targets and 36 strategic priorities.  These  targets include strengthening institutional potential for food security, facilitating access to finance, developing agricultural  capital  markets, developing science, education and agricultural advisory services, increasing rural employment, improving  population  welfare and others. 

According to Vusal Gasimli, significant progress has been made in this area in recent years, and the necessary steps have been  taken. As a result of reforms carried out by President Ilham Aliyev, compared with the corresponding period of 2018, during the  first 7 months of this year, in Azerbaijan total agricultural production increased by 6.3 percent, including an increase in crop  production by 9.5 percent, and livestock production by 3.1 percent. In addition, 643 tons of cocoon were produced in the country , which is the highest figure in the last 21 years. There was also a significant increase in productivity in vegetable growing, melon growing and the cultivation of certain fruit varieties. In general, from January to June 2019, the country increased the production of all agricultural products with the exception of green tea leaves. During this period, agricultural products worth 411.8 million US dollars were exported, which, in value terms, is 27.9% more if compared to the same period of the previous year.

It should be noted that the representatives of the following structures participated in the discussion of the Strategic Roadmap on Production and Processing of Agricultural Products in the Republic of Azerbaijan: President Administration, Ministry of agriculture, Food Safety Agency, Financial Market Supervisory Authority, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Taxes, Ministry of Emergency Situations, the State Committee on Property Issues and others.