Agriculture
The majority of the population of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (about 70 percent) is rural people and occupies with agriculture. The current average share of agriculture in created additional value is one-third.
The first ever agrarian reform of Azerbaijan conducted in Nakhchivan, the transfer of soil to private property, and the privatization of the property of collective (kolkhoz) and state (sovkhoz) farms led the way for swift realization of agricultural reforms in comparison with other fields. The relevant laws and decrees were issued in order to ensure the dynamic of positive changes attained during this time-period and to overcome the problems encountered.
The development of agriculture in the autonomous republic is ensured thanks to intensive factors. The measures such as state supply of different sorts of fruitful seeds and fertilizers to landowners, regular improvement or reestablishment of irrigation systems, delivery of very modern technical equipments to farmers through leasing and etc. have had substantial influence on the growth of agricultural produce. The irrigation of nearly 16,800-hectare territory is realized and 6,919-hectare new plot of land is cultivated owing to the construction of Heydar Aliyev water-house with 100 million cubic meter capacity.
Currently, the first formation stage of agrarian relations relying upon private property has been completed thanks to the conducted agricultural reforms. The systematic measures are fulfilled in order to ensure switch-over of mentioned processes to higher level and formation of modern agrarian-industrial sector. Among these measures, to support the formation of organized trade by state, to provide proper conditions for the necessary production of main foodstuffs, to employ efficient control system on foodstuffs and to prevent the products and services which are inconsistent with ecological, sanitary and veterinary standards, and the state protection to the exportation of agricultural goods and to render the proper credits and technical equipments to the enterprises dealing with agriculture are more important.
"The State Program on reliable supply of foodstuff to the people in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic during 2008-2015" endorsed on 17 September 2008 set new directions for raise of industrial production. So in comparison with the volume of agricultural production equal to 222 million 964 thousand AZN, in 2008, the production volume of 2013 increased by 2,4 times; the volume of livestock business also increased by 91,9 percent and reached 114 million 163 thousand.
Consistent measures are being taken for the development of agriculture, which plays an important role in the reliable supply of food products to the population in the autonomous republic. A total of 64,259 hectares of land were planted for the 2022 harvest in the autonomous republic.
Grain farming was considered a direction of strategic importance in the autonomous republic, and for the harvest of 2022, grain was planted on 33 thousand 466 hectares, of which 32 thousand 567 hectares were autumn grain and 899 hectares were spring grain. Wheat was planted on 21 thousand 378 hectares of grain fields, and barley on 12 thousand 88 hectares. Compared to the previous year, the grain cultivation area increased by 745 hectares. The grain fields yielded 107 thousand 418 tons of products in 2022.
In 2022, positive dynamics were maintained in the development of potato farming, and potatoes were cultivated on 3,481 hectares of land, which is 11 hectares more than the previous year. 54,998 tons of potatoes were harvested from the cultivation areas, marking a 0.6 percent increase compared to the previous year's figures.
In 2022, measures were taken for the development of tobacco farming in the autonomous republic, and tobacco was planted on a total area of 74 hectares in the Sharur, Babek, and Kangarli regions. As of October 1, 2022, 100.5 tons of dried tobacco were supplied from the cultivation areas, marking a 40 percent increase compared to the previous year's figures.
Demand for local fruit and vegetable products is being met by creating production areas for export-oriented and ecologically clean fruit and vegetable products in the Autonomous Republic. The implementation of the "State Program for the Development of Horticulture in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for 2021-2025," approved by the Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic on March 12, 2021, is being thoroughly implemented. From January to September 2023, the establishment of 4 refrigeration facilities and 2 cold storage warehouses has been completed, and the expansion of 5 refrigeration facilities has been accomplished, while the formation of 3 cold storage warehouses is ongoing.
In 2022, measures for the development of viticulture were continued, and new vineyards were planted.
The equipment supplies for agricultural machinery and implements of agricultural producers are consistently improving. In the period from January to September of 2022, 144 wide ranges of agricultural machinery and technological devices were purchased and brought to the autonomous republic through the "Nakhchivan Agro Leasing" Joint Stock Company. During the same period, 82 varied agricultural machinery and technological devices were leased, and 41 of them were sold for cash. In this period, the agricultural producers were provided with 13,012.8 tons of mineral fertilizers.
As of October 1, 2022, 109 thousand 880 tons of cereals and cereal legumes (without corn), 7340.4 tons of corn for grain, 351.7 tons of sunflower for grain, 77 thousand 746 tons of vegetables, 33 thousand 789 tons of garden produce for food, 41 thousand 806 tons of fruits, 10271.6 tons of grapes have been supplied.
The development of animal husbandry, one of the main sectors of agriculture, continued to be a focus in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in the months of January-September 2022. This included the formation of 38 new livestock farms, expansion of 28 existing livestock farms, establishment of 12 new livestock complexes, reconstruction of 1 livestock complex, and expansion of 10 existing livestock farms. In total, banks and credit organizations extended loans amounting to 11 million 762 thousand 200 manats to this sector during the period from January to September 2022, which represents a 6.9 percent increase compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.
From January to September 2022, a total of 9,759 including cows, heifers and buffaloes were artificially inseminated in the livestock farms, and 11,820 healthy animals were obtained during this period.
As of October 1, 2022, the total number of cattle in the autonomous republic reached 127,184 and the number of sheep and goats was 784,935, which exceeded the indicators as of October 1, 2021, by 1.4 and 1.8 percent.
The construction of two poultry farms has been completed. Additionally, the establishment of one poultry farm and the reconstruction of another poultry farm are ongoing as part of efforts to increase the volume of local production in the domestic market.
In January-September 2022, 21,512.5 tons of live weight meat and 75,794.5 tons of milk were produced in the autonomous republic, which is 6.9 and 1.4 percent more than in the corresponding period of 2021.
The implementation of the "State Program on the Development of Apiculture in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for 2017-2022," approved by the Decree of the Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic dated November 18, 2016, was continued. In January-September 2022, the development of one queen beekeeping farm and nine apiculture farms, and the expansion of five beekeeping farms was completed. Additionally, the expansion of three apiculture farms is still ongoing. The total credit provided to these entities during the mentioned period amounted to 547,200 manats, showing a 25 percent increase compared to the previous year. The provision of subsidies to legal and physical entities engaged in apiculture has further increased the concern in this sector.
The implementation of the "State Program on the Development of Veterinary Medicine in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for 2020-2025," approved by the Decree of the Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic on February 17, 2020, has been underway. In this regard, competent measures have been taken to maintain the supply of quality and safe livestock products for the population. As of January-September 2022, the construction of the Veterinary Office building in the Kangarli region has been completed, and the construction of the Veterinary Office building in the Julfa region is still ongoing.
In continuation of the measures implemented in this field, new vehicles and laboratory equipment were provided to the State Veterinary Service of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in the last period of 2022. In addition, Araz Science and Production Union named after Academician Hasan Aliyev was provided with a specially equipped mobile pharmacy vehicle of the "Changan" brand to carry out the mobile sales of medicinal preparations used in horticulture and veterinary medicine.
In the period from January to September 2022, a total of 14 million 234 thousand 900 manats of credit were allowed to economic entities engaged in agriculture, which is 9.5 percent more than the corresponding indicator of the previous year.
On January 27, 2022, the Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic signed a decree approving the "Electronic Information System for Agriculture in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic" to carry out electronic services and create an electronic information system in the agricultural sector.
On February 16, 2022, the Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic signed a decree on establishing the State Reserves Agency of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The agency is tasked with forming a more efficient supply of strategically important goods in the autonomous republic, applying the best regulatory and management practices in this sector, as well as to protect the domestic market from short-term negative effects.
As a result of implemented measures, agricultural production in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic amounted to 431 million 374 thousand 800 manats in the period from January to September 2022, which is 3.7 percent more than the previous year.
The renewal of melioration and irrigation systems was in the spotlight in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in 2022. The construction of a pumping station and a pressure pipeline in the Boyukduz village of the Kangarli region has been completed. Additionally, ongoing projects include the construction of a pumping station and pressure pipeline fed from the Araz Water Reservoir, as well as the development of closed irrigation and collector-drainage networks in the villages of Cheshmabasar and Guznut in the Babek region. Construction of closed irrigation networks in the village Nehram and the villages Kulus, Mahmudoba, and Nursu in the Shahbuz region has been continued.
Furthermore, the construction of two subartesian wells near the Uzunoba Water Reservoir in the Babek region, one on the side of the highway leading to the "Ashabi-Kahf" shrine, in Alishar village of Sharur region, and on the side of the highway leading to Shahtakhti Border Crossing Point in Kangarli region have been completed.
Protecting and restoring the forest fund, as well as planting new green areas was crucial in the autonomous republic. In the period from January to September 2022, afforestation and reforestation have been carried out on an area of 232 hectares, with the planting of 122,700 trees and flower seedlings.
During the months of January-March 2023, a total of 66,885,000 manats of credit were allowed by banks and credit organizations and the Entrepreneurship Development Fund of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Out of these credits, 4 million 434 thousand manats or 6.6 percent were allocated to agricultural expenditures.