Naghdaliyev: Agroparks to cut import dependence

The establishment of agroparks in Azerbaijan plays a crucial role in reducing dependence on imports of certain agricultural products, said Zeynal Naghdaliyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan - Head of the Department for Territorial and Organizational Issues of the Presidential Administration, Report's correspondent in Aghdash informs.

Naghdaliyev shared this insight during a regional conference on the State Program for the Development of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Production and Processing in Azerbaijan for 2026–2030.

According to him, the provision of direct subsidies to agricultural producers has been accepted as the main state support mechanism in the comprehensive development of the agrarian sector and ensuring food security: "The new subsidy mechanisms being implemented encourage regional specialization, the application of innovative technologies, efficient use of land and water resources, and overall sustainable development."

The official noted that the necessity of transitioning to a qualitatively new stage has necessitated the adoption of a new State Program oriented toward export-driven production with high productivity that meets the requirements of the modern era:

"We should note that despite the large-scale measures implemented regarding the development of the agrarian sector, the President noted at the meeting the stagnation observed in the agrarian sector of our country over the past few years and openly stated that the existing dynamics in agricultural production did not satisfy him. Based on the instructions given by the head of state to the Presidential Administration and the Cabinet of Ministers, a new comprehensive and all-encompassing State Program on the development of agriculture has been prepared. This program is a strategic document that defines a new development model for the agrarian sector for the upcoming period and serves as an important roadmap in terms of increasing agricultural production, efficient use of resources, expanding processing and export capabilities, advancing value chains, as well as transitioning the development of fisheries and aquaculture sectors to a new stage."

Naghdaliyev stated that the main goal is not merely to increase production volume, but to obtain higher and better-quality products from each hectare, that is, to ensure the transition from an extensive approach to intensive development in the agrarian sector:

"The State Program envisages ensuring sustainable development in the field of agricultural production during 2026-2030, strengthening food security, increasing domestic production potential, productivity, added value and export orientation, accelerating the transition to an intensive and competitive production model, developing value chains in the agrarian sector, expanding farmers' access to modern agricultural services, as well as the development of fisheries and aquaculture sectors."