An Agrarian Business Festival and a seed exhibition-sales fair were organized in the Central Square of Khankendi city to support the development of the agricultural sector. The main goal of the event is to create conditions for the formation of a seed market in the region, increasing farmers' access to quality seeds and innovative technologies.
Opening the event with an introductory speech, Sabuhi Gahramanov, Deputy Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the city of Khankendi, Aghdara and Khojaly regions, brought to the attention of the large-scale reconstruction and reconstruction work being carried out in all territories liberated from occupation under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev. Sabuhi Gahramanov said that in addition to the restoration of infrastructure, the process of returning former internally displaced persons is also continuing. Stating that, in addition to sustainable settlement, ensuring employment of the population is important, Sabuhi Gahramanov said that the agricultural sector is of particular importance in ensuring employment of former internally displaced persons and important measures are being taken to restore and develop agricultural activities in these areas.
Anar Jafarov, Director of the Agrarian Innovation Center of the Ministry of Agriculture, emphasized the importance of festivals and exhibitions held in the agricultural sector in his speech, saying that the Agrarian Business Festivals and seed exhibition-sales fairs organized in various regions throughout the year are not only educational in nature, but also have a positive impact on the formation of partnerships between the state and the private sector.
Elgun Mahammadelizade, Chairman of the Board of Directors of “Agrarian Procurement and Supply” OJSC, provided detailed information to the event participants about the activities of the organization he leads, the projects it implements, and the work done to support local producers, and emphasized that farms engaged in agricultural activities in the liberated territories are provided with agricultural equipment according to their needs, and that farmers are supported in the direction of product production and branding.
Speaking at the event, Ikram Ziyadov, Director of the Elkiyar Production and Commercial Company, Samaya Mirzayeva, a resident of the Ballıja village of the Khojaly region, Shahin Bayramov, Rector of Karabakh University, Leyli Aghayeva, Head of the Department for Work with Farmers, Associations and Cooperatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Anar Azimov, Deputy Chairman of the Agrarian Services Agency, and Togrul Gafarbayli, Deputy Director of the Agrarian Innovation Center, noted that the organization of these festivals and exhibition-sales fairs has made a significant contribution to the development of the agrarian sector, increasing productivity, increasing the professional knowledge of farmers, increasing productivity and expanding entrepreneurial activity.
Within the framework of the event, Vasila Ahmadova, Head of the “Qızıl Petak” cooperative, who participated in the Agrarian Women in Action (AFAQ) project, and Ganira Asadova, Head of the “Güllü Yaylag” cooperative, were presented with letters of appreciation for their contribution to the development of the agrarian sector.
It should be noted that, in addition to 20 seed producers from the Karabakh economic region and the East Zangezur economic region, large companies operating in the field of seed production also presented their products at the fair. Within the framework of the festival, a mobile sales fair was organized by Agrarian Procurement and Supply OJSC, where products of local farms were presented to citizens.
According to tradition, various agricultural machinery and equipment, plant protection products and fertilizer samples were demonstrated at the Agrarian Business Festival, and visual presentations were held for farmers and entrepreneurs.
Within the framework of the event, an educational training on the topic of “Agrochemical analysis of soils” was held by the Agrarian Services Agency, and farmers were provided with practical knowledge on soil fertility protection and proper fertilization methods. At the same time, within the framework of the event, it was recommended to sow local seed varieties suitable for the soil and climatic conditions of the region, and information was presented by experts on the impact of seed selection on productivity. The festival recommended planting of soft wheat varieties such as Red Rose 1, Khazri, Metin, Askeran, Onur, Alekseich, Gomer, Arsenal, Lucilla, Maurizio, and barley varieties such as Finola, Karabakh 22, Iosif, and Shtorm in the Karabakh economic region.
The event was of great importance in terms of demonstrating the region's production potential in the field of seed production, establishing new market relations, and increasing the sales opportunities of local farmers. The fair also supports the restoration of agricultural activity in the liberated territories and the expansion of the entrepreneurial environment.
