BAKU, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7
By Fidan Babayeva - Trend:
It’s planned to start production of ‘Virginia’ tobacco variety in Azerbaijan in 2021, which is most suitable for growing in the local climate, Director of the Production and Operations Department of the Azerbaijan Industrial Corporation Ilham Bayramov told Trend.
In 2020, various types of Virginia seeds (17 types) imported from the US, Brazil, France, and Hungary were tested on the experimental fields of Azertutun APK.
Bayramov noted that the seeds of Virginia tobacco were sown on an area of 1,520 hectares in Zagatala, Balakan, Gakh, and Shaki districts of the country.
Based on the expert opinion, a decision will be made on the choice of the optimal type of seeds for growing in the local climate, said the department’s director.
He also noted that within the membership, the best practices of the leading tobacco-producing countries are being studied in the International Tobacco Growers Association (ITGA).
In this context, the action plan for 2021 includes holding regular trainings for both farmers and the Azertutun APK production unit, said Bayramov.
Bayramov added that the growth in production this year was achieved by increasing the acreage, but next year it is planned to achieve results by improving agrotechnical measures.
On August 10, 2017, the head of state approved the State Program for the Development of the Production of Tobacco and Tobacco Products in Azerbaijan. One of its main goals is to increase the yield of tobacco up to 20 centners per hectare, expand the cultivated area for tobacco to six thousand hectares, and increase production to 12,000 tons of tobacco.
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