Minister: Azerbaijan saw over 2-fold rise in grain production in 1991-2023

In 1991, Azerbaijan produced 889,400 tons of wheat, but by 2023, this figure had soared to an impressive 1,833,900 tons – a 2.1-fold increase, Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov told a conference titled "Sustainable Food Security in the Context of Climate Change" held in Baku, Report informs.

According to Mammadov, the total grain production also saw a 2.4-fold rise, reaching 3,248,600 tons in 2023 compared to 1,346,400 tons in 1991.

"While Azerbaijan's self-sufficiency in wheat stood at approximately 30% during the Soviet era, it has now risen to around 58%," the minister noted.

Mammadov attributed this growth to several factors, including the potential formed in the country's agricultural sector, particularly through public-private partnerships and the application of modern technologies. The establishment of large grain farms and the liberation of occupied territories have also opened up new opportunities for further increasing Azerbaijan's wheat self-sufficiency, he said.

The minister added that the topic of the conference, organized on the eve of the COP29, is one of the main challenges of the agricultural sector, and proper direction of policies implemented in this area is one of the main requirements of the day: "As a ministry, taking into account the global processes in the world and country priorities, we prioritize efficient use, application of resource-saving approaches, environmental protection, and formation of sustainable farming traditions in directing agricultural policy. In the agricultural sector, which is exempt from all types of tax payments, there are various types of subsidy and credit mechanisms to support farmers."