Figure 6: Crop production, thousand ton
As of 2010, about 500 sample seeds of corn genetic fund were planted for renewal in open
condition in the Zaqatala Regional Experimental Station of Azerbaijan Research Agronomy
Institute. Furthermore, about 50 local and introduced grain and grain-legume plant species
samples were included to the mid-term genetic storage bank, and the related biologic and
farming indicators were put in the database.
In view of it, Ampelographic collection garden was further enriched in Azerbaijan Scientific-
Research Vine-growing and Wine-making Institute in order to enrich the national genetic bank
consisting of ancient, aboriginal, newly created and introduced from overseas grape species.
Azerbaijan Research Horticulture and Subtopic Plants Institute hosted expeditions and
continued scientific studies for collection of grainy, subtropical and citrus fruit plants, folk
selection, European origin and other species and their forms. It is expected that new fruit and
tea varieties will be delivered to the State Variety Test by the end of the year.
Table 12: Target indicators of “State Program on the reliable food supply of population in the
Azerbaijan Republic for 2008-2015”.
S/N
Targets
Target indicators for 2015
1
Cultivated area of crop (thousand ha ) (with maze)
900
2
Crop productivity (c/hectares)
32
3
Total produced crop (million ton)
2,8
4
Potato production (million ton)
1,12
5
Production of vegetables and melon plants (million
ton)
1,72
6
Production of fruits (thousand tons)
800
7
Arable lands for oily plants (thousand ha )
135
8
Arable lands tor sugar beet (thousand ha )
20
9
Tea leaf production (ton)
3000
10
Arable lands for forage plants (thousand ha )
500
11
High quality, balanced and mixed forage production
(thousand tons)
2000
15.5
19.6
19.7
38.2
66.4
57
3.2
3.6
4.3
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
2010
2011
2012
Sunflower
Cotton
Tobacco
In order to mitigate the effect of climate change, priority has been given by the State to: (i) the
development and cultivation of agricultural plant varieties which are more resistant to the
effects of drought, frost, diseases and pests; (ii) the improvement of farming methods and
technologies; (iii) the improvement of irrigation methods and water-use efficiencies; and (iv)
reducing and eliminating the use of dangerous pesticides and fertilizers. Activities have been
performed towards expansion of employment of advanced aimed at efficient use of irrigation
water and prevent the soil degradation.
2.4.3 Forestry sector
The main driver of forest loss- clearing for wood fuels – is declining with the increasing
coverage of gas supplies to communities. A number of state programmes are being
implemented to now expand the national forest coverage, green urban areas and rehabilitate the
ecological functioning of degraded forests. Wide-scale national forest planting and greening
initiatives have been undertaken over the last 5 years. Most of the species of trees and bushes
used for forest planting and greening are fast-growing trees and bushes (e.g. chestnut oak,
chestnut, ash, plane tree, cypress). Regular maintenance of forests is being implemented to
protect forest species from various diseases and pests. In accordance with the “National
Program on forest restoration and expansion” forest restoration activities were implemented in
the area of 53215 hectares, more than 620 thousand kg of valuable tree and shrub seeds were
procured in 2008-2012. A number of activities are implemented to prevent forest fires. Forest
fires were almost prevented, thanks to prophylactic and preventive measures. Forest fires were
recorded in 78,9 ha area in 2009-2010, 3,7 ha in 2011, and 9,97 ha in 2012. Reafforestation
measures were taken in the area of 10131 hectares instead of the forecasted 10120, along with
forestation and sowing works in the area of 2746 hectares instead of the forecasted 2745. In the
area of 7385 hectares, measures were taken for assisting natural reafforestation.
2.4.4 Public utilities – waste water treatment
Water-sewage treatment projects in the centres of rayons have been initiated under the State
Programs “Socio-economic development of regions” and “Poverty reduction and sustainable
development”. The installation of module type water treatment facilities has been completed in
60 villages of 12 regions (including those of Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic).
2.4.4 Fishing and aquaculture sector
The main priority of fishing sector for the Caspian littoral states is to develop a more
sustainable fisheries and aquaculture industry, and to strictly regulate fishing of sturgeon
species in the Caspian Sea. In support of this, Azerbaijan has recently prepared a new draft
version of the Law on Fishing. The new law will seek to better provide for a sustainably
developed and managed fishery and aquaculture industry in Azerbaijan.
Currently there are 12 fish breeding enterprises operating in Azerbaijan. These facilities focus
on raising juvenile fishes of commercial and environmental fishery significance (mainly carp,
salmon and sturgeon). In 2012, 65, 76 million juvenile fish - including 3,443 million species of
sturgeon, 185, 78 salmon, 362, 13 million species of carp - were bred and released into the
Caspian Sea, and associated water basins, by these fish breeding enterprises.