Baku: Preliminary talks are underway between the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Azerbaijani government to explore potential cooperation in the agricultural sector. This announcement was made by Marina Rose Best, the ADB’s Country Director for Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, during a panel discussion at the Baku Climate Action Week (BCAW2025).
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the ADB had earlier unveiled a $40 billion investment program aimed at transforming food systems by 2030. This initiative is part of the ADB’s broader partnership strategy with Azerbaijan, which recognizes the critical role of agriculture in the country’s economy. Despite agriculture’s significance, with 36% of the population employed in the sector, it remains underfunded, contributing substantially to the GDP outside the oil and gas industry.
Marina Rose Best emphasized the existing challenges in Azerbaijan’s agricultural sector, noting that only 10% of irrigated land is equipped with modern irrigation systems. The ADB, which has not been extensively involved in Azerbaijan’s agriculture sector previously, is keen to address these issues. Initial discussions with the government are focused on several key areas, including the monitoring and forecasting of river basins, modernization of irrigation systems, and closing investment gaps.
The ADB is also interested in implementing digital and new technologies in agriculture and plans to work directly with farmers to enhance their knowledge and skills. These efforts aim to strengthen the agricultural infrastructure and increase productivity in Azerbaijan.