BAKU, Azerbaijan, Nov. 19
By Samir Ali - Trend:
Tobacco growers in Azerbaijan are harvesting a bountiful crop this year, the Ministry of Agriculture told Trend.
Thanks to the observance of the rules of agrotechnical care, the organization of a high level of supplies of seedlings, fertilizers, and medicines, the average tobacco yield in 2020 increased.
“This year, tobacco in Azerbaijan was planted on 3,144 hectares, planting was successful on 3,141.5 hectares. To date, 5,949.8 tons of tobacco have been collected from the fields. Farmers handed over 5,078.2 tons of dry tobacco to the receiving points. At present, the average tobacco yield is 18.9 centners. Harvesting continues and average yields are expected to increase by the end of the season,” said the ministry.
“In 2020, tobacco was planted in 12 districts of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. More than half of the cultivated area is in the Shaki, Gakh, and Oghuz districts, which are traditional regions for growing tobacco. In 2020, tobacco was planted on 1108 hectares in Shaki, 496.5 hectares in Gakh, and 269 hectares in Oghuz. The average yield in Shaki is 32.1 centners, in Gakh - 13.5 centners, in Oghuz - 14.8 centners. Farmers of Zagatala, Balakan, Gabala, Tovuz, Ismayilli, Goranboy, Lerik, Masalli, and Yardimli districts also gathered a bountiful harvest,” the ministry added.
The development of tobacco growing in the country is supported at the state level. The expansion of government support mechanisms stimulates the development of tobacco growth. Tobacco belongs to the category of subsidized crops. Farmers receive a subsidy from the state in the amount of 280 manat ($164.7) per hectare of tobacco cultivated areas. In addition, a subsidy is paid to farmers in the amount of 50 manat ($29.4) for each ton of dry tobacco delivered to reception points.
(1 USD = 1.7 manat on Nov. 19)