An international forum on agricultural and green technologies “AgTech and Green Energy” kicked off in Azerbaijan for the first time on December 10.
Vice President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), head of IDEA Public Union, Leyla Aliyeva, government officials, heads of farming enterprises, foreign experts on green technologies, representatives of startups, technological companies and the private sector participated at the opening ceremony of the forum, which was co-organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Energy at ADA University.
Speaking at the forum, which was held under the slogan “Innovations for the green future”, rector of ADA University, ambassador Hafiz Pashayev said: “Today, technology for green energy and the development of this industry is widely spread around the world. And ADA University keeps this field in the spotlight. The current campus of the University is based on green and smart technologies. In general, 50 percent of energy is derived from these sources, especially from geothermal energy sources. At present, new buildings are being built at ADA University. The application of all these technologies allows the students studying at this institution to improve their experience and knowledge. Vice President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), head of IDEA Public Union Leyla Aliyeva participates in international events at ADA University, along with numerous initiatives for environmental protection, safe, healthy and green future.”
Minister of Agriculture Inam Karimov noted that holding of such a significant international forum in our country indicates that Azerbaijan is a reliable partner in all areas of cooperation: “Today, the development of the non-oil sector in Azerbaijan has become one of the most topical issues. The agrarian sector, which is an important area of the non-oil sector, has entered a new stage of development. Agriculture is rapidly developing in the country. The share of agriculture in the gross domestic product is increasing. The share of the non-oil sector in exports, including agricultural products, has risen”.
The Minister said that President Ilham Aliyev has defined the agrarian sector as a priority area of the economy and set tasks for ensuring food security: “These tasks include to effectively utilize existing resources, increase productivity and ensure environmental protection. In accordance with the assigned tasks, we are guided in the principles of our activity by proper and effective management, proximity to villagers and farmers, and application of innovations. It is gratifying, as a result of the attention and care provided by the state, successful results have been achieved in the direction of fulfillment of our tasks. The level of food self-sufficiency of the population has increased in the country. During the first 9 months of this year, the total volume of agricultural production increased by 4.3 percent compared to the previous year. Meat and milk self-sufficiency has already reached 90 percent. This indicator for vegetables and fruits of all types is more than 100 percent. With the introduction of modern innovations, it will be possible to further increase these indicators”.
Inam Kerimov noted that this forum allows farmers to get acquainted with such innovative technologies: “The event also plays the role of a new platform for exchanging best practices. I would like to express my thanks to Vice-President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and head of the IDEA Public Union Leyla Aliyeva for the support provided by her to such a forum. We believe that Azerbaijan will become one of the leading countries in the field of innovation in the agrarian sector”.
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of Turkey Bekir Pakdemirli said that his country is ready to share with Azerbaijan its innovations in the field of agriculture. Speaking about the reforms in the field of agriculture in Turkey, the minister said that exchanging views with Azerbaijan in this direction will contribute to the development of cooperation between the two countries: “Turkey is ready to share with Azerbaijan the technological innovations it uses in the advanced fields of agriculture”.
Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Agrarian Policy - head of department Azer Amiraslanov said that reliable provision of food products and rational nutrition of the population is in the focus of attention in the country: “Agriculture is an important area of the economy. No matter how much the agricultural sector develops, we must comply with environmental requirements and protect the ecosystem. The environmental projects carried out in this direction on the initiative of the Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Leyla Aliyeva should be specially emphasized”.
“Today, the main task of agrarian policy is to effectively coordinate the effectiveness criteria and environmental requirements. Systematic and complex measures are currently being taken in the country for the development of agriculture. Strategic goals, tasks, principles and targets for the development of the agrarian sector have been identified. Agrarian sector has been declared a priority area in Azerbaijan. Because it plays a special role in ensuring sustainable development, diversification of the economy, poverty reduction, and most importantly, in the solution of social problems and food supply. It is because of these criteria, the head of state is sensitive to the agrarian field and considers agriculture development both economic and social issues,” - Azer Amiraslanov said.
The assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on agrarian policy noted that agriculture has undergone very serious technological upgrading over the last half-century. At present, modern agriculture has become a manufacturing area based on complex and expensive technologies, at the same time requiring huge investments. The application of new plant varieties, the use of progressive irrigation systems, and the industrialization of agriculture are the main directions of the green revolution. Important steps have been taken in this direction in our country. However, there is still a lot of work to do. One of the main tasks of President Ilham Aliyev is the widespread use of innovative technologies in the agrarian sector, the application of the electronic agricultural system, the wide use of the possibilities of the Earth observation satellite for both environmental policy and agrarian policy. The application of digital technologies in agriculture is not a goal, but a tool. It is a tool for improving productivity, improving agrarian management, and more efficient organization of state support to agriculture. Today’s forum will also contribute to the effective discussion of issues related to the application of agrarian innovations and exchange of experience”.
Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said: “Holding such a forum at the initiative and leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, at a time when reforms are carried out both in the field of agriculture and energy in line with international experience, as in all areas of the country’s economy, is of particular importance. The main goal of today’s forum is to discuss the future of agrarian and energy spheres, to exchange views on topical issues such as the application of new technologies in the agrarian sector, including the use of green energy, advanced experience in this field and trends observed in this area in the world. Azerbaijan has a diverse approach to energy security, adapting its energy policy to new challenges.”
The Minister said that today, the share of renewable energy sources, including large hydroelectric power stations is about 18 percent in the country’s total power grid. But we have a higher potential for renewable energy sources. It is roughly 25gigawatt and it is planned to commission new power capacities for wind, solar and bioenergy in the coming years. Complex measures are underway to increase the volume of renewable energy in the total energy balance and energy efficiency. A draft law on Renewable Energy Sources is being developed with the support of international experts to stimulate the development of the renewable energy industry, to create its market, and to increase competitiveness. The adoption of this law will also promote the wide use of green energy in the agricultural sector. At the same time, a joint project was launched with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to integrate into the network of renewable energy and strengthen the network. Steps are being taken to create a favorable investment climate for private sector to participate in renewable energy. Consultations are being held with a number of companies specializing in this area, and working groups are being set up. Currently, with the support of the Asian Development Bank, the pilot project “Floating Sun Panel” is being implemented on the Lake Boyukshor.
Minister of Transport, Communications and High Technologies Ramin Guluzade said that the forum is dedicated to a topical issue and is very important in terms of the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals until 2030. “Today our country is at a new stage of development. Today, our country is at a new stage of development. Under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, successful reforms are underway in the country. Serious steps are being taken to strengthen the export potential of our country, create a favorable investment climate, and to expand its innovation activities. Adopted strategic road maps open up new opportunities for the development of the national economy. All this is reflected in international reports. In the latest Doing Business report of the World Bank, Azerbaijan ranked 25th among 190 countries. At the same time, our country is included in the list of 10 countries that are carrying out the greatest number of reforms.”
The Minister noted that the role of high technologies and innovations in the development of the economy is increasing year by year worldwide. Azerbaijan also pays special attention to these issues. Information resources and systems on agriculture have been created in our country, and this process continues. Along with this, the use of high technologies in agriculture is further expanded. “Internet of Things”, drones, Big Data technologies bring this sector to a new stage. The Internet of Things plays an important role in improving the productivity and quality of products in many countries. And the use of drones allows farmers to control sown areas from anywhere. The Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies can contribute to the application of these technologies.
“Through the Innovation Agency under the Ministry, there are great prospects for cooperation in the acquisition and assimilation of modern technologies by entrepreneurs (farmers) operating in the agricultural sector, including the implementation of innovative projects involving the use of high technologies in the agricultural sector, including financing startups. We suggest using the services of the only TIER 3 level data center in the region for the intellectual analysis of information resources and systems, large-scale information. In addition, you can use the services of the Internet of Things laboratory, which will be created at the Ministry’s ICT Applying and Training Center. The direction of cooperation can be holding in the center of various training sessions to support training of personnel on the application of high technologies in the agricultural sector. This forum will make a great contribution to the creation of a new cooperation platform for relevant agencies in our country, including the formation and development of the Agrotech cluster as a result of the joint efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Education, the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, and the Innovation Agency,” - Ramin Guluzade said.
The main goals of the forum, which brought together some 40 foreign specialists from about 15 countries of the world are to achieve the innovative development of agriculture and energy in Azerbaijan, strengthen ties between various stakeholders, and build sustainable business models and relationships. The two-day forum includes speeches by entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, academics, representatives of leading technology companies from the USA, Turkey, Israel, Russia, the Netherlands, Ukraine and other countries. Panel meetings will also be held within the framework of the forum on the topics “Future of energy and agricultural technologies”, “Technologies for agricultural and green energy”, “Academy for agricultural and energy technologies”, “Influence of policy”, “New innovative ecosystems”, “Section for farmers “, “Business for the agricultural sector and energy: AgTech session”, “Business for the agricultural sector and energy: session Green Energy”, “Workshop for startup and innovation ecosystem”.
