Agricultural development support project launched in Dashkasan and Goygol regions

On the initiative of AzerGold Closed Joint Stock Company (CJSC) and with the support of the Agrarian Services Agency (Agency) under the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, agricultural development support project has been launched in Dashkasan and Goygol regions.

Within the framework of the project, the experts from the Agrarian Services Agency jointly with the employees of AzerGold visited the villages of Chovdar, Chaykend, Guschu (including "Shadakh" residential area), Bayan of Dashkasan district, as well as Tulallar village of Goygol district on July 24-27 and  carried out monitoring works.

During the monitoring, Animal Health and Veterinary Services Center of the Agency examined the cattle, checked if preventive measures were put in place. Moreover, clinical examination of cattle was carried out in the villages, blood samples were taken and sent to regional laboratory of the Azerbaijan Food Safety Institute (AFSI) and Veterinary Scientific Research Institute (VSRI). With the view of the plant protection and cattle health measures, various types of techniques and equipment were involved in the process and high-potential cattle-breeding areas were disinfected.

Furthermore, employees of the Plant Protection and Fumigation Center under the Agency conducted site inspections at households, carried out phytosanitary monitoring of plants affected by harmful organisms. The samples of fruit and vegetable plants were taken and sent to the laboratory of AFSI.

Within the framework of monitoring, the specialists of the Agency's Laboratory, Expertise and Certification Center collected soil and water samples from the fields and pastures of the mentioned villages and presented them to the central laboratory for analysis.

At the same time, the Agrarian Training Center of the Agency conducted a survey in 480 out of 596 households, their daily activities, productivity indicators, sales and socio-economic issues were studied and training need assessment was carried out. Also, booklets and brochures on various fields of agriculture were distributed in order to enlighten the residents. The current state and demand for agricultural machinery were studied as well.

Upon detailed analysis of the results of the monitoring, it is planned to prepare and implement an action plan towards developing family peasant farms in the relevant areas. Thus, according to the criteria determined upon the request, trainings will be held and appropriate consulting and information services will be provided by the specialists.

Notably,  the project launched upon the request of "AzerGold" CJSC to the Agency mainly aims to achieve sustainable development goals in the regions where the Company carries out the extraction and production activities, as well as strengthen local capacities in the communities, ensure environmental protection, socio-economic development of the regions, improve their conditions, support the development of agricultural activities.

With the view to ensure the continuity of the project, it is planned to regularly organize monitoring works in the agrarian field.