Baku: On May 5, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and their daughter Leyla Aliyeva visited the 19th Azerbaijan International Agriculture Exhibition and Forum - Caspian Agro Week and the 31st Azerbaijan International Food Industry Exhibition - InterFood Azerbaijan at the Baku Expo Center, APA reports.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov provided a briefing to President Aliyev and the First Lady about the scope and participants of the exhibitions. This year, 447 companies from 45 countries are taking part, with Brazil, Ethiopia, and Northern Cyprus showcasing national pavilions for the first time. The exhibitions also include national stands from Germany, Belarus, Brazil, South Korea, Georgia, Italy, Indonesia, and the Netherlands.
The Caspian Agro Week exhibition spans various sectors, including agricultural machinery, irrigation, logistics, e-agriculture, and innovative technologies. It also features "Smart Agro" segments that highlight advancements in artificial intelligence, smart villages, and robotics. The InterFood Azerbaijan exhibition highlights sectors like food industry products, beverages, and food technologies.
One of the significant changes this year is the rebranding of the exhibition under the 'Caspian Agro Week' concept, incorporating conferences, forums, and visits to innovative farms. President Aliyev and the First Lady also visited the Azersun Holding stand, which operates on a 'farm-to-table' principle, creating numerous job opportunities in the region.
Agro Dairy, a leading agricultural and food company in Azerbaijan, has developed a comprehensive agro-industrial ecosystem. German company Holmer showcased its advanced agricultural machinery, while Italian company New Holland displayed its modern agricultural equipment used across 170 countries.
The Russian company PhosAgro, known for its phosphate-based fertilizers, highlighted its production capabilities, and Azera Holding demonstrated its extensive farming projects. Turkey's Favo Agro, Spain's Industrias David, and Israel's AFI Projects were among other notable international participants.
The Ministry of Agriculture's stand provided insights into Azerbaijan's agricultural development projects, smart farming technologies, and digital solutions to enhance productivity. The event also included participation from various support agencies and organizations, underscoring its international importance.
The exhibitions serve as a crucial platform for exploring Azerbaijan's agricultural and food production potential, facilitating international cooperation and innovation. This year sees more than 500 farmers from 51 regions gaining exposure to industrial innovations and best practices.
Finally, the exhibitions offer an opportunity for international expertise exchange and the establishment of new partnerships in the agri-food sector, reinforcing their status as a national brand on the global stage.