Project overview:

Azerbaijan wishes to encourage organic farming as demand for organic products is increasing in both domestic and export markets. The natural soil and climatic conditions are favourable for organic farming in the country, while the existence of scientific and educational institutions in the agrarian sector and experienced farmers in the regions may provide a suitable environment for promoting organic agriculture. 

Despite significant potential, agricultural productivity and profitability vary widely across regions. Although Azerbaijan’s agricultural sector contributes around 6 percent to GDP, it is characterized by low productivity, due to lack of modernization, low rainfall, scarcity of arable land, fragmented landholdings and serious degradation of natural resources in terms of soil erosion, salinity, loss of soil fertility and organic matter. Organic agriculture was developed to address this issue, and national legislation was introduced to harmonize domestic regulations with international organic production standards and procedures. 

The project aimed to improve the legal basis for organic agriculture management, as well as to further promote organic agriculture through training, networking, and the transfer of modern and conventional approaches.

Key results of the project:

• The current status of organic agriculture and value chain constraints on organic products were assessed.
• A data collection system based on harmonized codes, including market data, was discussed with stakeholders and a report presented, in order to monitor and develop the proposed markets.
• Awareness-raising campaigns were organized for consumers and opinion groups in Baku, Ganja and Shamkir.
• The existing agriculture inspection and certification system, as well as the mandates and current functions of all relevant institutions, were evaluated. Proposals for improvement of the overall institutional organization and inspection-certification system were developed and discussed, and a final document offering different options was presented to the Ministry of Agriculture.
• A National Organic Agriculture Strategic Plan and a short-term Action Plan were drafted and presented to the government.
• Two study tours to Turkey were organized for four selected experts to gain experience in the area of organic agriculture.
• An Organic Agriculture Documentation Centre was established and equipped, and training on access to international databases was provided in March 2018.
• Around 240 farmers, technicians, entrepreneurs and representatives of the Government of Azerbaijan were trained in organic agriculture.
• 28 participants from government ministries, the Azerbaijan Standardization Institute, local administrators, the private sector and universities were trained over eight days to become inspectors for organic agriculture.
• A pilot demonstration plot of 10 000 square metres was established at the Vegetable Research Institute and a rotation programme has been managed organically since 2015.