The "Agrarian Procurement and Supply" OJSC under the Ministry of Agriculture organized a media tour to Lankaran on July 2-3.
The goal was to showcase farmers' work, innovative agricultural approaches, and state support.
During the tour, three farms supported under the "City to Village" project were visited: a beekeeping museum, "Leyne.co" matting farm, and "Citrus Valley" agro-tourism complex.
Nilufar Mustafagizi, head of the Public Relations and Marketing Department at the OJSC, said that with financial support from PASHA Holding, about 35 farms have been supported, four of which are in Lankaran.
The project aims to develop agro-tourism, increase farmers' income, and facilitate product sales.
The first stop was the "Balchi Sayavush" Breeding Beekeeping Farm in Shovu village, Lankaran.
Farm director Sayavush Yagubov said they have been engaged in innovative beekeeping since 2015.
The museum displays sections on Azerbaijani and world beekeeping history, ancient log and reed hives, bee biology, equipment, and specialized literature.
Notable innovations include a queen bee incubator and a smart scale. The smart scale is placed under the hive, allowing remote monitoring of weight, temperature, humidity, and other indicators.
A mobile app is planned for the future to create a unified database for beekeepers and facilitate sales.
The museum also has an apitherapy section featuring a special hive for bee air therapy.
A live bee corner allows visitors to observe bees closely. Future plans include interactive monitors and AI-based presentations.
Only their own products—honey, propolis, royal jelly, bee bread, pollen, and others—are sold in the museum.
The next stop was "Leyne.co" matting farm.
Khalida Ismayilova, a retired math teacher of 45 years, returned to the matting craft she grew up with.
Matting is an ancient craft of the southern region. While only mats and baskets were woven before, now bags, hats, fruit and bread containers, and various baskets are made.
The main material is "keshi," made from a reed called "lygh" that grows in swamps. Preparing the raw material is difficult: reeds are cut, dried, and must avoid dew.
Harvest season runs from June to August, weaving begins in September. The material must be worked wet, or it will cut the hands.
Khalida holds master classes and trains new students. She says matting calms the nerves.
Prices range from 5 manat (small items) to 20 manat (large baskets and picnic sets).
The final stop was "Citrus Valley" farm.
Owner Raftara Shukurova has been active since 2009 but kept it secret while working as a teacher.
A media tour by the Ministry of Agriculture about 10 years ago was a turning point for the farm's recognition.
Today, the farm covers 15 hectares: 6 hectares of feijoa, 3.5 hectares of kiwi, and nearly 4 hectares of lemon, mandarin, orange, and kumquat.
Jam, marmalade, pickles, and compote are produced. Products are sold across Azerbaijan, with compote and some pickles exported to Russia.
Raftara worked as a primary school teacher for 32 years before focusing entirely on agriculture. Now it's a family business, with her husband and son supporting.
The farm uses a drip irrigation system. It welcomes tourists year-round, with peak season in autumn. Overnight stays are unavailable but agro-tourism expansion is planned.
During fruit season, visitors can pick and taste fruit themselves, then take some home for a fee.
