President Ilham Aliyev's remarks at the recent meeting convey a strategic message not only for the agricultural sector but also for national security as a whole.
This statement was made by Murvat Hasanli, Chairman of the Public Council under the Ministry of Agriculture, in an interview with Oxu.Az.
He noted that current geopolitical processes have shown that food security is as vital as oil, gas, and military security:
"Wars, disrupted logistics chains, and rising energy and fertilizer prices have caused food crises in many countries. Azerbaijan, thanks to timely measures, has managed these risks to some extent. If we consider the President's words as a directive, strengthening local production should be the top priority. Especially poultry, livestock, grain, feed production, and expanding the breeding base are strategic directions. To minimize import dependence, the domestic production chain must be fully formed. This includes not only product manufacturing but also feed, vaccines, incubation, logistics, and processing infrastructure. At the same time, the adoption of innovative technologies must be accelerated. Water-saving smart irrigation systems, digital agriculture, AI-based management, high-yield breeds, and modern veterinary services are no longer an option but a necessity. To be competitive globally, reducing production costs and improving quality are key. Azerbaijan has achieved significant success in this direction."
Hasanli noted that in recent years, the self-sufficiency level in poultry meat and egg production has increased, modern agro-parks have been established, state subsidies and farmer support have been provided, agricultural machinery has been updated, and export potential has grown:
"Especially during the pandemic and regional crises, the absence of food shortages in the country demonstrated the success of the policy. However, we still face serious challenges. Climate change and water scarcity are among the main risks for the region. Dependence on imported feed materials affects production costs. Fluctuations in global energy and logistics prices also impact the domestic market. Another important issue is professional training in agriculture. Strengthening the pool of agronomists, veterinarians, and engineers capable of handling modern technology is essential. The main goal today is not just to supply the market but to build a sustainable and competitive food system. President Ilham Aliyev's messages at the meeting show that Azerbaijan will continue to develop agriculture as a strategic sector, and food security will remain one of the main priorities of state policy."
