Review of agriculture in Azerbaijan (january-april 2013)

The reason why the agricultural sector is so important for the country is that it plays an important role in continuous and sustainable development of the country's economy, diversification of the economy and food security, development of regions and villages, poverty reduction and unemployment as well as due its multiplier effect on the economy.

The spring-field works continued in the country in April, and spring plants were sowed by May 1 on an area of 262,500 hectares, which is 0.5 percent less than in the same period of 2012. Reduction in the volume of sowing in April was contributed by the adverse weather conditions that prevailed in the country until April 19. This weather slowed the cotton crop in low-lying areas and planting corn in the mountains. However, rainfall will improve the humidity of land and affect the growth of grasses.

According to the State Statistics Committee, potatoes were planted on an area of 56,100 hectares, vegetables - on 52,600 hectares, grain and legumes - 42,100 hectares, melons - 18,500 hectares, cotton - 19,100 hectares, sunflower seeds for food - 6, 300 hectares, sugar beet - 3.,600 hectares, perennial herb - 60,200 hectares.

In the structure of spring crops, grain and leguminous crops, including corn, accounted for 16 percent, technical plants - 11.4 percent, potatoes, vegetables and melons plants - 48.3 percent, fodder plants - 23.6 percent.

The farms produced 41,500 tons of vegetable production 5,200 tons of precocious potatoes.

Sowing of spring plants in Azerbaijani agriculture, hectare

Source: Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee

There was an increase in livestock production in January-April 2013 compared to the previous year. During the reporting period, the country produced 141,100 tons of meat in live weight, 557,900 tons of milk, 442.3 million units of eggs, 2,411 tons of wool. Meat production in comparison with the first four months of 2012 increased by 2.5 percent in January-April of this year, milk - by 5.8 percent, eggs - by 15 percent, and wool - 29.2 percent.

Positive impact on the dynamic development of animal husbandry was made by timely zootechnical and veterinary activities, and work towards improving the productive qualities of the breed of cattle.

Production of main livestock products in Jan.-April 2013, tons

Source: Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee

In January-April, agricultural output in Azerbaijan at current prices amounted to 762.6 million manat, an increase compared to the same period of 2012 by 4.8 percent. The growth of crop production was at 9.8 percent, livestock production - 4.6 percent.