Some 15% of Azerbaijan's territory is affected by drought, and 6% is at risk of desertification, Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sarvan Jafarov said at the conference "Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Development" in Nakhchivan, organized jointly by the Ministries of Agriculture of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Report informs.
The deputy minister emphasized that global climate change leads to decreased precipitation and increased water scarcity, creating serious problems for agriculture: "Agricultural development in our country largely depends on water supply. To increase production, it is necessary to use water, land, and climate resources more efficiently, take measures to adapt to climate change, and implement modern irrigation technologies."
The deputy representative of the president of Azerbaijan in Nakhchivan, Samir Seyidahmadli, noted that global warming and drought have a particularly negative impact on the agricultural sector, directly affecting food security.
He added that agriculture is the foundation of Nakhchivan's economy, and therefore environmental protection, increasing green spaces, and efficient use of water resources are priorities for the autonomous republic. During the conference, videos about COP29 and green energy projects implemented in Nakhchivan were shown.
The event continued with panel discussions on "The Role of Climate in Sustainable Agriculture, Food and Water Security" and "Scientific Approaches and Human Resource Development."