Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

One of the most significant events for the Caucasus region food industry -- WorldFood Azerbaijan 2015 -- will open its doors in Baku on May 21.

For many years the Agriculture Ministry has supported WorldFood Azerbaijan that brings together many leading Azerbaijani and world market manufacturers, distributors and food products suppliers. This year the number of participants will exceed 290 companies.

“With each passing year "Agriculture" and "Food Industry" exhibitions held in Azerbaijan expand their geography,” Ilham Guliyev, the deputy minister of agriculture said at a press conference dedicated to the 21st Azerbaijan International Exhibition “Food Industry” and ninth Azerbaijan International Exhibition “Agriculture” on May 20.

He noted that the exhibition attracts more and more companies every year.

“This year the event is expected to gather up to 293 companies from 39 countries. Some 83 of them are national companies. To compare, last year the exhibition hosted 251 companies from 36 countries. The event will put on display national stands of such countries as Argentina, Australia and Georgia. Two countries including Jordan and Algeria will take part in the exhibition for the first time,” he said.

Guliyev added that the exhibition space increased by 37 percent compared to 2014 and has reached 10,350 square meters.

“The exhibition will feature new irrigation, agricultural technologies, technologies for the production of feed, as well as purebred animals imported by the ministry,” the deputy minister said.

The Agriculture Ministry has submitted proposals on improving a mechanism for subsidizing to the government, the deputy minister further said, adding that the proposals are mainly related to the procedure of issuing grants.

“The state subsidies to the agricultural sector will be combined into one annual issue. This will ensure the efficiency and transparency of the process,” he noted.

Guliyev also talked about the government support to the agricultural sector and gave information about implemented work.

Guliyev also noted that current weather conditions create an opportunity to gather a rich harvest of grain crops this year. He said that experts expect some 20-30 percent of growth in harvest in comparison with last year.

The ministry is ready for harvesting grain, the deputy ministry said. “We plan to finish harvest quickly and without loss.”

Guliyev recalled that due to the drought, farmers lost a part of their crops last year. The ministry partially compensate for losses, providing them with free seeds.

In the first four months of 2015, the sown area of grain and leguminous consist 21,400 hectares in Azerbaijan. It is by 4.7 percent more than the same period of 2014, according to the State Statistics Committee.

As total of 2.2 million tons of grain crop and leguminous crops as well as 203,600 tons of corn were collected in the country in 2014.

The exhibition, co-organized by the Iteca Caspian LLC and UK’s ITE Group PLC will run until May 23 in Baku’s Expo Center.

--

Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz