BILASUVAR EXAMPLE

The state programme on the socioeconomic development of districts, under way since 2004, has significantly bolstered indicators in practically every district. One of the most graphic examples of state support for the development of districts is Bilasuvar District which has been experiencing major changes in terms of using its economic potential to improve the living standards of the population. 

The numerous infrastructure reforms aiming to improve the electricity, gas and water supplies in the district, renovation and construction of roads, commissioning of modern social and public utility institutions, etc. - all this work is carried out with direct financial support of the state. However, it is also beyond doubt that a sustainable development of the district requires the strengthening of its own economic resources. Therefore, authorities in Bilasuvar, one of the country's traditional agricultural districts, encourage the implementation of agricultural projects. The private sector is actively involved as well. Private businesses are also enjoying the various state benefits provided within different state programs, presidential decrees and orders.

Good traditions

In the last two years alone, Bilasuvar received assistance under 17 clauses of the State Program on the socioeconomic development of districts for 2009-2013. Extensive work has been carried out in the district to develop agriculture, which is particularly important for the country from the standpoint of food security. 

As is the case with other districts, agricultural reforms have led to considerable development of Bilasuvar District. Thanks to the land reform and the establishment of private farms in the district, the volume of agricultural produce has significantly increased. Local climate is conducive for engaging in various spheres of agricultural activity. Suffice it to indicate that out of 111,900 hectares of the territory that is suitable for agriculture in the district 48,136 hectares were allocated as plough-land in 2010, which is 52.2 per cent more than in 2001.

If weather conditions had permitted, harvest figures for last year would have been more impressive, but so far the district has managed to pick only 41,132 tons of wheat. However, much better results have been achieved in the collection of spring crops, such as cotton (an increase of 4.4 per cent), sunflower (7.9 per cent), vegetables (40.3 per cent), melons and watermelons (13.4 per cent), sugar beet (2.8-fold - the highest figure in the republic), etc. Incidentally, while the first item on this list, raw cotton, is a traditional crop for the region, the biggest impetus for its growing production in the district is provided by the existence of the MKT industrial and commercial company there. This year, the company has raised the price of the cotton it is buying from farmers by about 7 per cent - from 0.39 to 0.42 manats. According to farmers, the increase of the cotton price to 55-60 gapiks per kilo has further enhanced interest in this sector.

MKT is Azerbaijan's biggest cotton processing enterprise and the first company to have invested in the revival of the industry in the years of independence. It has controlling stakes in many plants and exclusive cooperation agreements with other enterprises. Also, the company owns an oil extract factory. The companies buying its cotton are garment manufacturers and traders in cotton in Turkey, the United States, Russia, etc.

The activities of an MKT factory in Bilasuvar began with cotton processing in 1985. In 1997, after privatization, it was converted into an open joint-stock company "Bilasuvar pambiq". According to the director of MKT-Bilasuvar, Gulam Aliyev, contracts with more than 600 farms have been signed in 2011 alone and an area of 2,700 hectares planted with cotton. "Cotton production is an area that requires subsidies from the state. MKT, for its part, in order to encourage farmers, provides fertilizer at subsidized prices and makes advance payments for the use of hardware," Aliyev says. The company owns American cotton-pickers, Japanese tractors, etc.

Another traditional agricultural activity is livestock breeding which has registered a high growth rate in the last 10 years: of cattle by 14.3 per cent and sheep and goats by 41.2 per cent. Accordingly, meat production has increased by 96.3 per cent, milk by 61.3 per cent, eggs by 21.9 per cent and wool by 52.5 per cent. Such development dynamics has been made possible by the establishment of favorable conditions for livestock farms. As a result, the district can fully meet its own needs for these products.

Reforms ongoing 

Agriculture is known to be one of the riskiest economic sectors. In order to achieve a stable annual growth, in addition to the aspects beyond human control, it requires daily hard work of not only rural people but also government agencies which should respond to the challenges and farmer needs on time. Otherwise, the impressive achievements may easily produce the opposite effect.

The people of Bilasuvar are, of course, fully aware of that. For example, the issues of providing villagers with modern machinery for a timely implementation of agricultural and technical measures to prevent losses are successfully resolved.

There is an agricultural services branch of AgroLeasing JSC in Bulasuvar, and local landowners have already been using more than 130 pieces of machinery owned by the branch. In addition, in order to strengthen the material base of agricultural services 1 million manats and 1 hectare of land have been allocated for the construction of a new facility which is intended to make a tangible contribution to agricultural development in Bilasuvar.

Besides, seed production activities are carried out in the district in cooperation with scientists. Interestingly, the first private seed production enterprise was once established in Bilasuvar. Today, their number in this district alone has reached 23, while total production in the current year has amounted to 3,780 tons of highly reproductive seeds, which meets the local demand by 80 per cent. In fact, it was also here that the country's first seed production association was set up. It includes all 23 specialized farms and works to improve the provision of farmers with elite seed species and to develop this agricultural sector on the basis of scientific achievements. As a matter of fact, a regional seed production station, the establishment of which also requires government support, could be very helpful. 

In an effort to increase crop production in the region, a concessional sale of mineral fertilizer has been organized in the district. Comprehensive measures are being taken to combat disease and pests. The last two factors have been instrumental in reducing the volume of production in 2010, which compelled both government agencies and farmers to further consolidate their resources and opportunities.

But perhaps the key problem for Bilasuvar farmers is still irrigation and drainage of soils. Soils in this district belong to the category of "difficult" in structure, and sometimes farmers cannot cope with that on their own. There are not too many water sources in the district. It is necessary to occasionally conduct comprehensive drainage activities to prevent salinization of soils. And this requires a restructuring of the existing drainage system, which came into disrepair due to sustained downtimes in the past. Although the Irrigation and Water Management JSC does some work in this direction every year, the problem is still there. There is hope that it will be resolved within the framework of the State Program on the socioeconomic development of districts for 2009-2013, which will significantly increase the efficiency of farms in the district.

As noted above, great progress has been made by Bilasuvar livestock breeding farms following the establishment of new processing enterprises in the district. Farmer interest in the industry has increased, which has led to a growth of production. But villagers do not intend to stop there - work is underway to improve breeding abilities of livestock. High-yielding breeds have been brought from abroad and seven artificial insemination stations set up. After this produced effective results, farmer interest in the sector further increased.

Individual contribution

As is evident, Bilasuvar is one of the most successfully developing agricultural districts of Azerbaijan which receives considerable government support through numerous programs and projects. All this eventually contributes to the fulfillment of the main task facing the agricultural sector - to ensure the country's food security and provide the population with organically grown food. After all, organic products are a rarity in today's world, and Azerbaijan has all the opportunities to produce it. This is a strategic objective of the country's leadership in the coming years, which has been repeatedly said by President Ilham Aliyev. According to him, Azerbaijan has always been renowned for its agricultural products, almost all neighboring countries are still importing them, but it is quite feasible to expand our export geography. "We can deliver environmentally friendly products to world markets. It requires processing enterprises, packaging and a modern approach. This is our asset which we must use rationally," Aliyev said.

To achieve this goal, it is very important for every Azerbaijani district and village to make a contribution. Responsibility for maintaining the country's agricultural image rests on the shoulders of every farmer engaged in agricultural production. And Bilasuvar could serve as a model in many respects.