The protection of soil fertility was discussed
The Economic Research Center ( ERC) organized round table discussion dedicated to the final outcomes of “Public advocacy and raising awareness among land users on protection of soil fertility” project implemented in Gabala, Oguz and Shaki regions with financial support of OSCE Baku Office. This event was conducted at Orkhus Ecological Information Center under the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources on August 27.
The representatives from Parliament, Melioration and Water Management OJSC, Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Ministry of Economic Development, State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic, UNDP, including the executive committees of Shaki and Gabala and non-governmental organizations.
Initially, the chairman of ERC Management Board, project coordinator Galib Togrul mentioned the degradation problems covers whole world: “We are losing 12 million hectare land each year due to degradation and desertification. This is the half territory of the United Kingdom. According to projection of FAO, the world population will reach to 9 billion and in 2030 the demand for food and water will be increased by 50 % and 30 % respectively. For this, we will need additional 120 million hectare fertile land.”
The project coordinator also informed that the project which unleashed on February 18th was implemented in Gabala, Oguz and Shaki with 9 trainings, 3 field practices and 1 forest planting action.
Afterwards, the head of Economic and Environment Department of OSCE Baku office Emmanuel Huntzinger greeted participants and wished success to round table attendees. 
Then the project expert Vahid Maharrmov provided broad overview on protection of land fertility and preventives measures against erosion. The expert talked about the low productivity of livestock and plant-growing, including the lack of pastures in Shaki, Gabala and Oguz regions. The expert also mentioned the importance of management of irrigation, effective establishment of feeding, obtaining efficient meat and dairy animals breeds adapted to the climate conditions and other related issues as well.
The representative from the Ministry of Economic Development, Muzaffar Ismayilov briefed participants about the latest developments in regard to livestock and steps taken towards improvement of cattle-breeding species.
Later, Amil Safiyev, the representative from the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resource revealed the greenery activities, natural reserves and protection of soil fertility as well.
The representative of Shaku executive committee Shahin Khaligov explained the main reasons of productivity decline in Shaki region due to climate change and underlined that the regular contacts are made with farmers on complying the agro technical rules. He also mentioned that the awareness raising activities implemented by the Economic Research Center was very helpful for farmers.
The representative from Gabala executive committee Elimdar Sharifov stressed that the productivity of chestnut and “qizilahmad” apple were plummeted.
Eltakin Omarov, the representative of UNDP asked questions about the implemented activities towards tree protective tree planting and emphasized the significance of selecting correct trees.
The representative of Melioration and Water Management OJSC Intigam Asgarov clarified the issues regarding irrigation and said the main reason of this is that the main water sources are out of the border of Azerbaijan. He also mentioned the challenges related on effective usage from the existing water resources.
At the end of round table discussion, Galib Togrul thanked the management staff of Orkhus Ecological Information Center under the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources.
ERC Public Relations Department
Dunya Camalova
465-18-41
465-18-47