Firdovsi Fikratzada: "Increase in livestock expected in liberated territories"

One of the areas where significant growth is expected in the liberated territories will be livestock, Director of the Agrarian Research Center (ARC) under the Agriculture Ministry, Firdovsi Fikratzada, told Report.

According to him, after the restoration of livestock farms in these territories, Azerbaijan’s current self-sufficiency rate of 85% in meat and dairy products will increase to an average of 99%. Azerbaijan will be fully self-sufficient in meat and dairy products owing to these areas.

He stressed that last year there was a steady increase in agricultural products.

"According to estimates, last year Azerbaijan produced around 70,000 tons of hazelnuts. This is a record in the history of Azerbaijan. At the same time, there is a significant increase in the production of kernels - cherries, peaches, apricots. With the exception of a slight decline in the export-oriented cotton sector, there is growth in this area. Therefore, with this growth, cotton growing has played an important role in the non-oil sector. We expect growth in cotton production to continue in the coming years. At the same time, last year Azerbaijan exported melons for the first time for about $15 million. This is a new trend. I would like to add that the export of fresh potatoes has reached 90,000 tons, which is also a trend."