Israel and Azerbaijan Strengthen Agricultural Cooperation

A high-level delegation from Azerbaijan, led by the Minister of Agriculture, Inim Karimov, and the presidential adviser, Shahmar Movsumov, visited Israel for a three-day official visit. The delegation met with Israeli Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, MK Avi Dichter, to strengthen cooperation and realize the potential for exporting innovative agricultural technologies from Israel to Azerbaijan. This visit marks a significant step in deepening relations between the two countries, following Azerbaijan's announcement of opening an embassy in Israel.

Key Takeaways:

• The visit aims to strengthen cooperation between Israel and Azerbaijan in the field of agriculture, with a focus on exporting innovative technologies from Israel to Azerbaijan.
• Approximately 37% of Azerbaijan's population is engaged in agriculture, although its contribution to the country's GDP is less than 6%, indicating a decline in Azeri agriculture.
• The challenges facing Azeri agriculture include a decrease in the number of working hands, an increase in urban areas, soil salinization, erosion, and adherence to traditional farming methods.
• Azerbaijan is working to promote local agriculture and implement advanced technological tools, with a focus on agricultural industry management, aquaculture, and organic agriculture.
• Israeli agro-tech companies currently export various agricultural technologies, including precision irrigation, pesticides, fertilizers, greenhouses, and hydroponic agriculture.
• The visit is expected to create extensive commercial opportunities for Israeli agro-tech companies in the international market.
• The meeting is part of Israel's efforts to promote international cooperation and trade agreements, as stated by MK Avi Dichter: "We grow international cooperation - we grow agriculture!"

Statistics:

• Approximately 37% of Azerbaijan's population is engaged in agriculture.
• The contribution of agriculture to Azerbaijan's GDP is less than 6%.
• The Azeri agricultural sector faces significant challenges, including:

+ Decrease in number of working hands: unknown

+ Increase in urban areas: approximately 37% of the population is engaged in agriculture, indicating a shift to urban areas.

+ Soil salinization and erosion: rates not specified

+ Adherence to traditional farming methods: approximately 6% contribution to GDP, indicating reliance on traditional methods

Sources:

• "The visit of the Azerbaijani agricultural delegation to Israel" (gov.il)
• "Agricultural sector of Azerbaijan" (gov.il)
• "Israeli agro-tech companies and products" (gov.il)