ROUND TABLE MEETING ON OUTCOMES OF OSCE FUNDED PROJECT

Economic Research Center organized round table meeting dedicated to the final outcomes of “Natural and anthropogenic factors of soil degradation: awareness raising and public control” project funded by Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE) Baku office at Park Inn Hotel ( Fuzuli conference hall) on December 13, 2012. 

Project coordinator, GalibTogrul delivered opening remarks at the meeting and informed attendees about the results of the project. He mentioned that during lifespan of the project there were 4 trainings and 4 field practices conducted – 2 of each in Kurdamir and 2 of each in Goychay regions. The representatives from municipalities, land leasers, farmers and owners of land shares of above mentioned regions were involved to these trainings and field practices. The trainings focused on improving knowledge and capacities, including raising awareness about agro-technical and protective measures regarding soil erosion, salination, pollution and soil degradation as well.
G.Togrul also underlined that there were several meetings arranged with governmental agencies, such as the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Melioration and Water Management entity, and Committee for Land and Cartography. In joint meetings the views of both parties were exchanged. In addition, the assessment on allocated funds from state budget over protection of soil fertility was conducted and relevant recommendations were submitted to relevant agencies.
G.Togrul also mentioned that there was a protective forest stripe established within the area of Potu municipality of Goychay region.
Afterwards, the project expert VahidMaharramov made presentation on “ Current situation on protection of soil fertility ( combat against degradation, erosion, salination, pollution) in Azerbaijan and preventive measures”. The presentation covered soil degradation, its erosion, and salination: “ In Azerbaijan 3.470.823 hectare of land resources are subject to erosion and 565 511 hectare of land exposed to salination. In addition, 152 898 hectare land is subject to low, 146 235 hectare average and 223 838 hectare landexposed to severe salination process. In general, there are 12,5 % lands subject to salination in the country.” According to him, 30 000 hectare land became useless during extraction of natural resources.
Expert also underlined that “ State Program for food security of population of Azerbaijan Republic on 2008-2015” considers that 209,1 thousand hectare land needs construction and re-construction of collector-drainage system, 81 thousand hectare land are in need of fundamental cleaning salination, 62,8 thousand land need to be smoothed out, where as 94,3 thousand hectare land need to be provided with water. Furthermore, 1 million 265 thousand 386 hectare lands should undergo reclamation process.
V. Maharramov also read out the recommendations prepared on soil fertility.
Afterwards, the discussion session declared open and initially the expert of Committee for Agrarian Policy of Parliament, ZahidAbbasov thanked to Economic Research Center for bringing up such an actual issue. He said that the main way to overcome this issue is unification of farmers in cooperation: “ If state support is not provided to cooperatives then it will be useless”.
GalibKhasayev, representative from Melioration and Water Management, Sahib Omarov and DivankhanAhadov from Committee on Land and Cartography as well as the independent expert for agrarian issues NizamiGarayev appreciated the activities carried out by ERC and provided their feedback and opinions over the topic.
The representative from Goycha Executive Committee, Hamid Habibov emphasized that farmers need raising awareness seminars and trainings.
At the end of the round table meeting, the results of journalist competition were announced. VusalaRustamova from“ Bizimyol” paper, and SevilHilalgizi from “ Daily Telegraph” paper awarded with distinguishing certificates. In addition,EminNabili (“Üçnöqtə”), Samir Afandiyev (ww.mia.az), VasifJafarov (“Ekspress”) and VusalMammadov (www.ganca.az) awarded with encouraging certificates.