Challenges faced by farmers amid escalating climate crisis highlighted during industry event 4th Agribusiness Development Forum in Baku

Farmers are being urged to factor climate risks into their production plans, as agriculture faces growing threats from floods, extreme weather, and other impacts of the worsening climate crisis.

This observation was made by Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Ilhama Gadimova, while speaking at the 4th Agribusiness Development Forum on May 2, hosted in Baku, Caliber.Az reports citing local media.

She emphasised that farmers must consider climate risks when planning production. “The government is also strengthening support mechanisms in this area. Unfortunately, sometimes even harvested produce doesn’t get recorded in official statistics, which distorts the data. In addition, market opportunities remain an important factor in farmers’ decision-making,” she noted.

Gadimova stressed that climate change must remain a constant focus of agricultural policy, revealing that 900,000 entities have been registered in the Electronic Agricultural Information System in Azerbaijan to date. According to her, this platform brings together representatives of the state and private sectors and creates an opportunity to discuss the challenges and development opportunities of the agricultural sector.

The 4th Agribusiness Development Forum is being held this year under the theme “The Road to Harmony,” a reference to the “Baku Harmoniya Climate Initiative for Farmers” which was launched through a joint effort by the COP29 Presidency, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the FAO during the November 2024 UN Climate Conference that was hosted in Baku. According to the COP29 official website, the initiative aims to empower women and young farmers, foster climate-resilient rural communities, and enhance knowledge sharing. It unites more than 90 global and regional programs, supports sustainable rural development, and helps direct investment into the agricultural sector.

Organised under the auspices of the Agricultural Credit and Development Agency (AKIA) and financially supported by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the Agribusiness forum highlights a collaborative approach. In his opening remarks, Agriculture Minister Majnun Mammadov emphasized that the theme is more than a slogan—it represents a commitment to balancing economic growth with environmental protection, strengthening public-private sector dialogue, amplifying farmers' voices, and ensuring inclusive decision-making.

By Nazrin Sadigova