FAO together with Agrarco LLC supports hazelnut farmers in Azerbaijan

In the framework of the joint cooperation of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Agrarco LLC, the capacity building activities were carried out through hands-on training and demonstrations to increase the knowledge and skills of hazelnut farmers from Zagatala, Balaken, Gakh, Oguz, Gabala and Khachmaz districts, with a main focus on the management of hazelnut orchards, preparation for the new season, application of sulphur, and fertilizer application incorporated within irrigation system.

The activities were carried out under the government funded "Catalysing the Efficiency and Sustainability of Azerbaijan’s Hazelnut Sector” project.

As part of the training sessions, small-sized farm owners participated in the demonstrations of technological innovations and processes applied by Agrarco LLC, one of the leading agribusiness companies in the agricultural production. The mutual exchange of experience created an opportunity to increase the skills and awareness of the participants in this field. All the activities are carried out in accordance with the joint agreement between FAO and Agrarco LLC.

The cooperation aims to consolidate several efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by expanding partnership activities with the private sector. Increasing the knowledge and skills of more farmers (especially small-sized farm owners), contributing to the further development of agricultural and food production systems in the country, and increasing the opportunities for co-financing from large-scale development funds, especially the Green Climate Fund (GCF), are among  the main directions of activities.

During the practical training sessions held in Zagatala and Khachmaz, the farmers were provided with the detailed information about the ongoing activities in the hazelnut cultivation, and their importance for the region, as well as the hazelnut sector. During the sessions, 40 hazelnut farmers (9 women, 31 men) from the project's target regions were enlightened as to the seasonal diseases and control measures, preparation of different solutions and proper spraying of orchards by adjusting the sprayers. In addition, the participants were informed about the fertilization, fertilizer types and application norms that will have a positive effect on the future productivity of hazelnut trees, as well as their growth during the vegetation period. The application of proper fertilization through the fertigation method (technique of supplying dissolved fertiliser to crops through irrigation systems) was practically demonstrated to hazelnut farmers.

According to the agreement, it is aimed to organize such trainings and meetings continuously. The following experience exchange event is planned for the autumn covering the topics of proper harvesting, drying and storage. In addition, cooperation aiming at increasing the quality of the produced hazelnuts and adding value will be discussed as a joint activity of the parties at the next stage.

The project is being implemented by FAO together with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan within the framework of the FAO-Azerbaijan Partnership Program.