21/06/2024

Hazelnut cultivation has long been part of Azerbaijan’s rich heritage, enhancing livelihoods and contributing to local economies. As one of the world's top five producers, Azerbaijan produced 72 105 tonnes of hazelnuts in 2022, making it a major cash crop for the country. However, the country’s hazelnut sector faces critical challenges linked to the sustainability of production practices and food safety.  

Despite favourable climatic conditions enabling an extended growing season, smallholder farmers struggle with low productivity due to limited adoption of Good Agricultural Practices and modern technologies. Of particular concern is aflatoxin contamination – mycotoxins that are dangerous to human and animal health, and which therefore threatens hazelnut smallholder farmers’ access to international markets.

To catalyse the efficiency, safety and sustainability of Azerbaijan’s hazelnut sector, FAO partnered with the country’s Ministry of Agriculture to implement the HAZER project in the regions of Balakan, Gabala, Gakh, Khachmaz, Oghuz and Zagatala between 2020 and 2023.

Advancing sustainability and food safety through Good Agricultural Practices and mechanization

As part of the project, over 1 300 smallholder hazelnut farmers including women and youth were trained in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), including sustainable crop management, post-harvest handling and safety measures. To prevent aflatoxin contamination, the farmers were trained in improved harvesting techniques, dry storage alternatives, and biological control methods. Following the smallholder farmers’ adoption of modern mechanization technologies and access to services through 50 GAP demonstration sites, yields increased from an average of 1.1-1.2 tonnes per hectare in 2021, to 1.7-1.8 tonnes per hectare in 2023.

“Combining different Good Agricultural Practices, such as improved pruning and using agricultural equipment, farmers achieved increased yields of up to 70 percent in the project areas, resulting in higher incomes,” said Mayling Flores Rojas, FAO Mechanization Systems Officer.

Looking towards long-term sustainability, the project team explored environmentally friendly energy options for hazelnut production, outlined in the publication Hazelnut sector in Azerbaijan: Options for green energy interventions along the value chain. The project team also collaborated with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to enhance local capacity to test for aflatoxin contamination, and to develop an integrated aflatoxin management plan for the hazelnut sector.

Enhancing knowledge exchange and collaboration across the hazelnut sector

Through the HAZER project, an informal network of hazelnut farmers was established to promote ongoing knowledge sharing, technical advice and peer-to-peer learning. Learning and training materials on hazelnut production - including GAP, mechanization, and pest and disease management were disseminated.

An output of the project was a national strategy for a competitive and sustainable hazelnut sector. Also through the project, collaboration was fostered, especially through the establishment of multistakeholder platforms and technical committees, which improved access to resources like farming equipment, sustainable practices, extension services, and facilitated knowledge exchange.

Capacity of national stakeholders and decision makers has been increased through the trainings, study reports and study tours as well as other publications developed within the project.

"Through close cooperation with the government, the HAZER project has empowered smallholder hazelnut farmers with modern techniques and sustainable practices, ensuring food safety and setting a strong foundation for future advancements in the sector," said Fagan Agayev, Project Lead Specialist at FAO.

Overall, the HAZER project demonstrates how sustainable hazelnut production can improve livelihoods and food security in Azerbaijan while meeting food safety standards. Continued collaboration, interventions and investments from the government, private sector and farmers will pave the way forward.