In Azerbaijan, it is planned to implement a joint project for the development of cotton and improving the yield of cotton. It is assumed from February this year.
As reported by Turkish media, the other day, the delegation of the employees of the Ministry of Agriculture of Azerbaijan and Farmers visited the Nazilly Cotton Research Institute in the province of Aydin. Meeting specialists in agricultural culterators from Azerbaijan, director of the Institute of Mustafa Korai Shimishek stressed that cooperation with Azerbaijani cottogen is carried out for 10 years, but there are still no joint projects.
“The main goal of the visit is to continue the work as part of the new project, discuss the existing problems and find ways to solve them, taking into account the fact that there are certain difficulties in the cultivation of cotton in Azerbaijan,” said the director of the institute.
Korai Shimishek said that the initial version of the Turkish-Azerbaijani cotton project is ready. It focuses on the issues of breeding, genetics and biotechnology of cotton growing, the quality of fiber and seeds, culture growing agrotechnics, creating a seed system. The Turkish side is currently determining the project implementation infrastructure, which will be represented by the chapter of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Agriculture to Inama Kerimov.
It is expected that the preparation for the start of the project will be completed in February and then it will begin to implement it in life. The head of the Turkish Institute of Cotton Problems is confident that the yield of cotton in Azerbaijan will be increased already at the initial stage of the project. Meanwhile, along with the yield, measures will be taken to improve and other crop growing indicators.
“The yield of Azerbaijani cotton intends to increase Turkish specialists. And our textile companies will procure all products produced in a fraternal country. Azerbaijan will export cotton on the basis of the requests of Turkish textiles – both in terms of quality and in volume,” said Shimhek.
Turkey’s textile industry is quite developed, but some of the needs of the country in cotton is satisfied due to imports. The country annually imports cotton by almost 2 billion dollars. Although here there is own production of this agricultural culture, its capabilities are not enough to meet the needs of the textile industry.