Azerbaijan eager to expand application of AI in agriculture

Azerbaijan is moving forward with expanding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in its agricultural sector.

This was highlighted by Surkhay Novruzov, Project Manager for Precision Agriculture at the Ministry of Agriculture, during a recent industry gathering, Caliber.Az reports citing local media.

At the event titled “A New Stage in the Development of Agroparks,” Novruzov outlined the ministry’s latest initiatives during a session focused on the opportunities AI presents in agriculture.

He emphasized that the adoption of AI in Azerbaijan’s agriculture has accelerated in recent years, mirroring global trends. Current ministry-led projects aim to assist farmers in areas such as crop selection tailored to local soil conditions, horticulture, plant disease risk assessment, monitoring plant health, and ultimately optimizing sowing and cultivation strategies based on these insights.

Following the formal presentations, the event featured a panel discussion where attendees explored industry challenges, proposed solutions, and brainstormed ways to stimulate activity in large-scale production facilities.

During the discussions, industry leaders addressed issues related to irrigation systems, land reclamation, energy supply, and environmental sustainability, while also evaluating the state of competitive agricultural production, processing, packaging, and exports. 

The dialogue underscored the imperative of government support to overcome these challenges and fully harness the sector’s true potential.

According to the International Fund for Agricultural Development within the UN which engages with Azerbaijan in several projects, farming provides an approx. 6% of the country’s GDP and is a major contributor to its non-oil economy. Agriculture and agro-processing provides an approx. 39% of total employment in the country and has the great potential for stimulating growth, further job creation and food security.

By Nazrin Sadigova