BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 4. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is ready to support agriculture development in Azerbaijan’s Karabakh, Muhammad Nasar Hayat, FAO representative in Azerbaijan, told Trend.
"We have a lot of experience from other countries in the world of doing agriculture developments and livelihood restorations in the post conflict zones. These areas have been going through very difficult times, and the restoration of agriculture in these areas is very important," he said.
In that context, FAO is already supporting the initiative of the Government of Azerbaijan on land reforms, land allocation, land use planning. Beyond that, support for the farmers themselves in restoring agricultural production can be provided, Nasar Hayat added.
"Some of these areas have not been cleared of land mines and explosive, so this is another issue that needs to be resolves. And then, we need to figure out what is the best agricultural model for these areas. There is climate, water availability - multiple variables are to be looked at, before we decide which way is the best," FAO representative explained.
FAO can provide technical expertise, experience in capacity building, and any assistance needed to support the Government in its envisioned strategy, he concluded.
Azerbaijan is a member of FAO since October 20, 1995. The co-ordination office will carry out the Office of the Partnership and Co-operation in Azerbaijan from autumn 2015.