pasture, 15.2 % (15.6 thousand ha)
plantation and 26 % (270.4 thousand ha) of wood
distributed as follows: 82.1% of water erosion; 10.3 %
erosion. Preliminary results show that the area
700 thousand ha. The cost of rehabilitation of these areas is estimated at more than
dollars. Map 2 below shows the current extent of soil erosion in Azerbaijan. It
soil erosion has seriously affected the productivity of the winter meadows and pastures in the
winter grasslands of Kura-Araz lowland, Samur
Gobustan, Jeyranchol and Acinohur and other areas. Areas specifically affected by soil erosion
include the Kura-Araz lowland, Ganja
lowland and Qanikh-Ayrichay valleys.
Map 2: Distribution and degree of
Currently, total area of cultivated land
are supplied with drainage, from them
Based on the degree of salinization
thousand ha (57.4 %), weakly
thousand ha (8.6 %) and intensively saline
lands are well ameliorated, 697 thousand h
are in poorly ameliorated condition.
Irrigations performed without compliance with
overwatering leading to rise of groundwater
areas. Treatment of soil with over
of soil with more or less hazardous
pasture, 15.2 % (15.6 thousand ha) of haymaking, 40 % (29.8 thousand ha) of long
plantation and 26 % (270.4 thousand ha) of wood production. The reason
: 82.1% of water erosion; 10.3 % of wind erosion; and 7.6 % of irrigation
show that the area of severely eroded agricultural lands is almost
. The cost of rehabilitation of these areas is estimated at more than
below shows the current extent of soil erosion in Azerbaijan. It
soil erosion has seriously affected the productivity of the winter meadows and pastures in the
Araz lowland, Samur-Davachi lowland, Absheron Peninsu
Gobustan, Jeyranchol and Acinohur and other areas. Areas specifically affected by soil erosion
Araz lowland, Ganja-Qazakh slope plain, Lenkoran, and Samur
Ayrichay valleys.
Map 2: Distribution and degree of soil erosion in Azerbaijan
cultivated land equals to 1443 thousand ha, 598,8 ha (41.5 %)
from them 324 thousand ha (22.4 %) have closed drainage systems.
the degree of salinization, cultivated lands are divided into non
ly saline - 430 thousand ha (29.9 %), moderately saline
intensively saline - 59,1 thousand ha (4.1 %). 506 thousand h
meliorated, 697 thousand ha are sufficiently ameliorated and 240 thousand h
meliorated condition.
rrigations performed without compliance with the mode of irrigation are
to rise of groundwater level, soil salinization and swamping in those
soil with over-dosage of mineral fertilizers and pesticides causes pollution
hazardous substances. In general, re-salinization process
of haymaking, 40 % (29.8 thousand ha) of long-term
. The reason for erosion is
7.6 % of irrigation
of severely eroded agricultural lands is almost
. The cost of rehabilitation of these areas is estimated at more than 1000 mln
below shows the current extent of soil erosion in Azerbaijan. It is notable that
soil erosion has seriously affected the productivity of the winter meadows and pastures in the
Davachi lowland, Absheron Peninsula,
Gobustan, Jeyranchol and Acinohur and other areas. Areas specifically affected by soil erosion
Qazakh slope plain, Lenkoran, and Samur-Davachi
1443 thousand ha, 598,8 ha (41.5 %) of which
closed drainage systems.
non-saline - 828.6
moderately saline - 124,2
(4.1 %). 506 thousand ha of these
and 240 thousand ha
are accompanied by
n and swamping in those
fertilizers and pesticides causes pollution
ation process in reclaimed
lands basically occurs as a result of anthropological changes. The most common negative factor
degrading reclamative situation of irrigated soil is closeness of mineralized ground waters to
the surface of the soil and the rise of their levels are caused by the following:
- non-observance to irrigation mode and technology
- non-observance to water usage plan;
- employment of imperfect irrigation machinery and techniques;
- poor preparation of fields for irrigation;
- water loss due to leakage from irrigation channels;
- Filling up of lands with water as a result of water operator’s negligence, etc.
Deforestation causes strengthening of erosion processes, drying-out of ground waters and
increase of draught in the area.
Consistent and intensive development of agriculture is one of the major sources of efficient use
of soil for providing population with food products in the period of transition to market
economy. Development of agriculture has considerable importance for the development of
national economy.
As soil erosion studies have shown, erosion process damages pastureland, hay lands and
pasture areas very strongly. 470,0 thousand ha (78%) of the total summer pastures, and 1131,0
thousand ha (65%) of winter pastures were affected by erosion of various levels. Non-
systematic use of pasturelands, hay lands and pastures over long time has also destructed
valuable grass plants and replaced them with weeds and less important for forage grasses in
these areas. As a result of non-systematic pasturing, productive layer was destroyed and soil
erosion developed largely. The following types of desertification occur in the plain zones of the
country (Kura-Araz lowland, Jeyranchol, Nakhichevan AR): natural (physical-geographical)
and anthropogenic. Due to these factors, desertification is more intense in Absheron Peninsula.
Generally, in addition to climate and plant factors, salination, salinization, technogenic
pollution and all types of erosion especially deflation causes soil degradation and consequently
desertification. Incompliance with pasturing norms in stock raising also seriously threatens
these areas. Monitoring of farms and pasture lands suggests that in some areas the number of
animals per hectare exceeds pasturing limit for 5-10 times, and even more. And in its turn, it
leads to desertification, destruction of vegetation which strikes the quantity dynamics of plants,
and re-location of wild animals from their natural habitats.
In the result, the soil which is the main production asset in the agriculture, is washed away and
destructed, and its fertility declines. And this reduces the productivity of agricultural plants, and
adversely affects product quality. Advanced techniques are not employed for sustainable
development of livestock by taking into account the environmental status of land resources
(extensive – migration and intensive – barn). The actual number of sheep and goats per hectare
is much higher than norms. The bovine cattle are pastured in herds. Pasture areas are not used
as assigned. Winter pastures are cultivated beyond limits and not according to their intended
purpose. Winter pastures are utilized throughout the year.
Consequently, in addition to the erosion and salination of pasture areas, productive soil layer is
washed away, natural grass layer gets thinner, the quality of pasture area declines, ground water
breaks surface and eventually pasture areas are subject to desertification. Therefore, 60% of
winter pastures and 70% of summer pastures are destructed. Currently, there are 1,395
thousand ha of winter pastures with the capacity of 2,876 thousand heads, and 413,7 thousand
ha of summer pastures with the capacity of 1,939 thousand heads. 50 thousand ha of these
winter and 203 thousand ha of summer pastures are under occupation.
According to the established standard, 2,3 heads of sheep and goats should fall to each hectare
of winter pastures, and 5,7 heads of sheep and goats to each hectare of summer pastures.