Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan eye joint agricultural programs, livestock trade, and scientific advancements PHOTO

Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan held the first meeting of their working group on agriculture on March 4, where they explored opportunities to expand agricultural trade between the two countries.

The meeting was conducted via videoconference and was attended by Vice Minister of Agriculture of Kazakhstan Ermek Kenzhekhanuly and Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Azerbaijan Elchin Zeynalov, Caliber.Az reports, citing Kazakh media. 

During the meeting, the importance of developing bilateral cooperation in the agricultural sector was emphasized. It was noted that the establishment of the working group aims to strengthen interaction and identify specific areas of collaboration. One of the key topics of discussion was the expansion of trade in agricultural products between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

Officials highlighted that in 2024, trade turnover in this segment increased by 5.6% compared to 2023, reaching $78.6 million. Kazakhstan's agricultural exports to Azerbaijan in 2024 accounted for $64.2 million, or 81.6% of total turnover. The volume of Kazakh grain supplied to Azerbaijan via the Baku grain terminal reached 1.5 million tons.

Additionally, the parties explored the potential supply of pedigree material for farm animals from Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan. 

The meeting also covered prospects for exchanging seeds of agricultural crops, conducting ecological variety tests, and participating in scientific conferences. Furthermore, both sides expressed interest in fostering academic collaboration, including the development of joint educational programs and double-diploma education between agrarian universities in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in agriculture by developing specific projects and implementing the outlined plans.

By Tamilla Hasanova