A national conference on “Silk 2020: Upcoming Tasks” was held in Kurdamir.

Kurdamir district hosted a republican meeting on “Silk-2020: Tasks Ahead.” The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Apparatus, officials from executive authorities of various districts, the management of “Azerbaijan Industrial Corporation” JSC, directors of subordinate organizations of the ministry and State Agrarian Development Centers, representatives of research institutes, and about 200 beekeepers engaged in silk production across 40 districts of Azerbaijan.
AZERTAC regional correspondent reports that prior to the event, Agriculture Minister Inam Karimov, the head of the district executive authority Ceyhun Jafarov, and participants inspected mobile-type beehives prepared as models based on Azerbaijani, Turkish, Uzbek, and Chinese designs. Minister Inam Karimov stated that each district involved in sericulture can construct beehives based on these models using their own resources. The minister gathered feedback from beekeepers regarding the mobile-type beehives and discussed directions for the development of sericulture and silk production with farmers.
The meeting at the Heydar Aliyev Center was opened by the head of the district executive authority Ceyhun Jafarov, who provided information on recent socio-economic development in Kurdamir. He noted that, thanks to the attention and care of President Ilham Aliyev for regional socio-economic development, construction and improvement works have been carried out throughout Kurdamir, as in all regions of the country. Emphasizing the steps taken to develop sericulture in the district under the “State Program for the Development of Sericulture and Silk Production in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2018–2025,” approved by the President’s decree on November 27, 2017, the head stated that purposeful measures have resulted in significant achievements in sericulture. Last year, beekeepers delivered 22.6 tons of silk, 6.3 times more than in 2016. Beekeepers earned nearly 204,000 AZN from silk production.
Agriculture Minister Inam Karimov stated that President Ilham Aliyev has declared agricultural development a priority. The minister noted that the continuous measures taken have brought the agricultural sector to a new stage of development, and the growth rate continues: “Agrarian reforms aim to further develop agriculture, and the state provides substantial support for this purpose. Last year, as in other sectors, high results were achieved in agriculture. Thanks to state support, the sector has shown continuous growth over recent years. For example, total agricultural production increased by 7.2 percent compared to the previous year, including an 11.7 percent rise in crop production and a 3.5 percent increase in livestock products. This demonstrates that investments, reforms, subsidies to farmers, and a scientific approach to agriculture are producing results and increasing producers’ interest in the sector.”
The minister highlighted Azerbaijan’s rich historical tradition and potential in sericulture and emphasized the key tasks set by the ministry to further develop this sector: “Silk production is one of the traditional sectors of Azerbaijan’s economy. Azerbaijan was second in silk production in the former Soviet Union after Uzbekistan and ranked first in silk quality. Our main goal is to restore this tradition and increase productivity. Beekeepers receive a subsidy of 5 AZN per kilogram of silk delivered to processing enterprises. To strengthen the feed base, 4.5 million grafted mulberry seedlings were imported from China from 2016–2019 and distributed free of charge to sericulture districts. According to the 2019 investment program, the construction of 200-ton capacity fresh silk drying facilities and 120-square-meter incubation rooms in Zardab, Fuzuli, Barda, Agsu, and Zagatala districts is nearing completion. In short, beekeepers engaged in silk production receive extensive state support. It is encouraging that, as in other areas of agriculture, progress is being observed in sericulture. Last year, 643 tons of silk were collected, a 25 percent increase.”
The minister also addressed comprehensive measures taken to develop sericulture in Azerbaijan. Inam Karimov informed farmers about preparations for this year’s silk season, upcoming tasks, development goals and prospects for sericulture, as well as actions taken in the agricultural sector.
Later in the meeting, Kamran Nabizade, CEO of “Azerbaijan Industrial Corporation” JSC, spoke on “Goals in Silk Production and Processing,” Imran Jumshudov, director of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Agrarian Science and Innovation Center, presented on “2019 Silk Production Results and Tasks Ahead in 2020,” and Akram Fataliyev, director of the Gakh Breeding Silk Station, discussed “Hybrid Silkworm Breeding and Incubation Organization.” Beekeeper Aggul Bagirova from Fuzuli shared her thoughts on the development of sericulture.
The meeting included discussions on the provision of mulberry seedlings, development of hybrid silkworm breeding, and organization of incubation, with farmers’ suggestions recorded.
At the end of the discussions, it was announced that such meetings would continue and that farmers would be informed about measures taken to address the issues raised.
AZERTAC