1.
INTRODUCING
AGROCENTER
20.12.2017

2.
Azerbaijan Agriculture –
unique potential and opportunities
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• Unique climate conditions – 9 out of 11 climate zones (!)

3.
• Unique climate conditions – 9 out of 11 climate zones (!)
• 4,8 mln. ha of agricultural land
• 5 mln. people represent national labor force, with agricultural sector as the
main employer in the country
• Strong traditions of agriculture in the country
• Strong image of Azerbaijan agro products in neighboring countries
• Positioning of Azerbaijan as an international logistics and transportation hub –
access to new markets
• Strong support of agriculture from the government – and increasing public and
private investment in agricultural sector
Azerbaijan Agriculture –
unique potential and opportunities
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4.
• Harvesting – subsidizing the cost of motor oil and fuel during harvesting
• Growing – mineral fertilizer provided with discount up to 70%
• Farming – sale or lease of purebred cattle with 50% discount
• Seeding – subsidizing seed producers up to 22 AZN per kg of seed
• Water supply – covering 50% of cost for irrigation equipment
• Leasing – sale or lease of agricultural machinery with 50% discount
Azerbaijan Agriculture –
strong government support
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5.
Azerbaijan Agriculture –
some facts and figures
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Year
Vegetables
(annual production,
1,000 tons)
Potatoes
(annual production,
1,000 tons)
Cotton
(annual production,
1,000 tons)
1985
1995
2000
2015
2016
(*) Official data of the State Statistics Committee
872
424
781
1,275
1,271
220
156
469
839
902
788
274
92
35
89
+84%
+63%
+201%
+79%
+8% +154%

6.
Year
Fruits and
Berries
(annual production,
tons)
Vegetables
(annual production,
tons)
Hazelnuts
(annual production,
tons)
Honey
(annual production,
tons)
2014
2016 882 800
Azerbaijan Agriculture –
some recent achievements
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+4% +7% +15%+14%
850 800
1,270,262
1,187,681
34,271
30,039
2,700
2,358
(*) Official data of the State Statistics Committee

7.
• Established in 2017
• Founded and managed by a team of international
professionals in education, agriculture and project
management
• Based on strong relations with key government and private
stakeholders in Azerbaijan agriculture
• Cooperating with World leading academic institutions and
industry leaders in agriculture
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What is AgroCenter

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• Agricultural training and education
• Research and development
• Public promotion of agriculture and
agricultural professions
• Platform for dialog and cooperation
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What does AgroCenter do

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• Development and delivery of tailor-made agricultural training
programs (private and public sectors)
• Development of curriculum, syllabus and study plans for agro
education and training programs (university, VET, on-the-job)
• Development of training materials (printed, e-books, video
materials, mobile apps)
• Development of teaching staff/skilled trainers/instructors
Training and education
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10.
• Project commissioned by Gilan Agriculture Group
• “Fast track” education program aimed at developing young agro
professionals for GAG
• Strong emphasis on development of practical skills (skill based
approach) in cotton, hazelnut and pomegranate (mixing together
academic skills with practical field experience and on-the-job training)
• Module-based approach in addition to existing ASAU curriculum (with
specialized modules on pomegranate, hazelnut, cotton and plant
protection)
• Practical trainings/internships at GAG and other partner facilities
Technical Assistance to ASAU
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11.
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Technical Assistance to ASAU

12.
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Technical Assistance to ASAU

13.
• Introduction of international certification courses for
students (Ben-Gurion University)
• Development and approval of an official curriculum for a
new profession – agro consultant (Texas A&M University)
• Creation of dual degree program in agro consulting and
agro business management with a leading agro
university in the World
• Supporting improvement of ASAU infrastructure – demo
farms, demo fields, etc.
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Technical Assistance to ASAU –
plans for 2018-2020

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• Agricultural training and education
• Research and development
• Public promotion of agriculture and
agricultural professions
• Platform for dialog and cooperation
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What does AgroCenter do

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• Established partnerships with leading academic institutions in
the World (Israel, USA, Australia)
• Initiated several studies in cooperation with local and
international partners on extension services, contract farming,
agro business incubator services, development of agro maps
• Assisting in development of national professional standards
for agro consultants – establishing agro consulting as a new
profession
Research and Development
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16.
• Ben-Gurion University, Israel
• Jewish University of Jerusalem, Israel
• Ramat Negev Agricultural Training Center, Israel
• Texas A&M University, USA
• Dokuchaev Soil Science Institute, Russia
• Queensland Agricultural Colleges Association,
Australia
• CNFA, USA/Belgium
Our partners in R&D
and education:
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• Agricultural training and education
• Research and development
• Public promotion of agriculture and
agricultural professions
• Platform for dialog and cooperation
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What does AgroCenter do

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• Edutainment programs for mid- and high-school kids (day-
and weekend-long trips to “agricultural centers of
excellence” – educating and entertaining)
• Development of agro tourism in different formats
• Development of online portal for agriculture professionals
• Development of the national public award platform for
agriculture professionals – “agro professional of the year”
Promotion of agriculture as a
profession of choice
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19.
• Agricultural training and education
• Research and development
• Public promotion of agriculture and
agricultural professions
• Platform for dialog and cooperation
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What does AgroCenter do

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Agriculture is a very complex system
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Ministry of
Taxes
Ministry of
Ecology
Ministry of
Labor
Ministry of
Education
AgroLeasing
Ministry of
Finance
Banking
Sector
Insurance
Sector
Large Private
Holdings Farmers
International
Donors
Presidential
Administration
State Property
Committee
Water
Resources
Agency
State
Customs
Committee
Ministry of
Economy
Ministry of
Agriculture
State
Melioration
Agency

21.
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Different stakeholders sometimes
have different points of view

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• “Think tank” type platform to facilitate cooperation among
all key stakeholders in agriculture
• Promotion of participatory management approach
• Active cooperation with all relevant stakeholders
(government, private sector, international organizations)
• Promotion of private/public partnerships in agriculture
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AgroCenter offers a platform for
dialog and cooperation

23.
• Monthly “Agricultural Breakfast” event – starting 2018
• An inclusive multi-ministry/agency agriculture brainstorming
session as a tool for diagnostics and coordination – early 2018
• Same time next year AgroCenter will present progress report
and lay out plans for 2019
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AgroCenter offers a platform for
dialog and cooperation

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And if you were wondering
about our logo…
– highlighting different areas of agriculture,
one at a time…

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Thank you for
your kind
attention!
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