cooperation with regard to a lot of give-and-take issues. Obviously, a
total or partial
stabilization of the sealevel is beyond human means, but some modest degree of control is
possible, as the Kara-Bogaz-Gol experience has demonstrated. Another possibility would be to
use the flat territories of the north-eastern Caspian as evaporation pans; they had in fact been
working that way before the sealevel dropped in the 1930s.
Theoretically, it is also possible to control the sealevel by regulating water
consumption in the basin, mainly in the Volga River basin. However, this would
involve a very
complex political problem: the Volga and its basin belong to one country, the Russian
Federation, while the Caspian Sea belongs to five. Moreover, the portion of the shoreline
belonging to Russia is modest. Management of an international lake (or sea) by means of
action in a large but national river would not be a trivial diplomatic issue.
Another option would be large water transfers from neighbouring northern
basins. About 10 years ago such proposals were sharply (and justly) criticized by the
environmental movement. Neither the present political climate nor current levels of science
and technology are yet good enough to reconsider such projects.
Cooperative Policies for Stabilizing the Environment
Developing a common strategy for sustainable economic activity on the Caspian Sea
(and its shores) under conditions of drastic changes in the sealevel is a very good subject for
negotiation and cooperation. It is not, however, a trivial subject; international cooperation is
not just desirable but absolutely necessary.
Other important development issues for the Caspian
Sea require international
cooperation. Two are briefly mentioned here: the management of marine biological resources
and the management of mineral resources in the seabed, primarily oil and gas.
Conclusion
As a result we can state that nature must be respected. This is particularly true of the
Caspian Sea region. It is a special case of closely integrated natural, political, environmental,
social, and economic issues. It is in the interests of all branches of the economy to learn how to
move on along the road of sustainable development, given the very large variations in the
sealevel. This will
be impossible, however, without effective international cooperation. Broadly
speaking, effective management of the Caspian Sea and its resources cannot be achieved
without concerted action by all five riparian countries. Only a holistic approach at the
international level can make economic development of the region truly sustainable.
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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE IN THE CASPIAN REGIONS OF
AZERBAIJAN
Rovshan Karimov
Institute of Geography of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences
Key words: Caspian regions, crop, opportunity, agro-industrial, cultivation
Introduction
Azerbaijan reestablished its economy and reached considerable achievements since the beginning of
2000es. Significant economic reforms conducted in regard to distribution and use of land resources,
as well as the use of mechanisms of market economy in agrarian sector opened big
opportunities for
the increase in agricultural production and growth in farm businesses.
Agriculture is a significant area of Azerbaijan’s non-oil economy. The analysis of recent situation in
agriculture shows that sharp differences between the regions currently are much less in terms of
diversification of agricultural production rather than volume of production in this economic sector.
Wheat, fruits, vegetables and potato as the more-produced and necessary products are grown
almost in all regions. As for livestock, it is represented mainly with cattle- and sheep-breeding
activities, and also poultry industry and other smaller businesses. Animal industries shared 51.0% of
all agricultural products by 2015 in opposite to 44.5% observed in 2000. They meet considerable part
of requirements of Azerbaijan’s population for livestock products. The agricultural output of
Azerbaijan continues to grow. In 2005-2015, agricultural products have grown by 3.1 times while the
share of
agriculture, forestry and fishery in GDP has risen from 9% to 10.7% during the same period.
Significant contribution to the agrarian sector of the country is made by the four Caspian economic
regions – Aran, Guba-Khacmaz, and Lankaran-Astara. Contribution of another Caspian region –
Absheron to the agriculture of Azerbaijan is small, since this economic region is highly industrialized,
and its rural population number is lower in number as well.
Methods and materials
In this research, the territorial organization and development of agricultural areas by different
regions of the country is studied using methods of comparative analysis and statistical review.
Geographical conditions, the factor of labor force provision and governmental priorities on the
studied economic area were taken into consideration in studying and evaluating of the opportunities
for prospective development of agrarian sector.
As the Figure 1 below shows, the three Caspian regions – Aran, Guba-Khachmaz, Lankaran-Astara
and Absheron together account for 53% of the GDP of agriculture of Azerbaijan (Agriculture in
Azerbaijan, 2016).
Analysis of the territorial distribution of the agriculture shows that the Aran region contributes 32%
of GDP of agriculture mainly due to its larger territory compared to other regions of the country
along with its favorable climate and relief allowing development of various areas of cultivation and
livestock (Figure 1). Its territory encompasses low plains which are suitable for land use and
irrigation. The region has more developed irrigation system due to existence of channel
system and
collector-drainage network. The main produced agricultural crops are cereals, mainly wheat,
vegetable, fruit, grape, sugar-beet, watermelon, melon, soybeans, cotton, etc. Guba-Khachmaz and
Lankaran-Astara specialize in production of fruits and also vegetables. Situated in the southern part
of Azerbaijan, Lankaran-Astara traditionally was known a territory of subtropical fruits,
such as lemon
and orange as well as tea, while other crops such as potato, vegetables and different fruits were
widely cultivated in recent decades.
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