Regional meetings have been held across 13 economic regions of the country to discuss the measures to be implemented under the State Programme on the Development of Production and Processing of Agricultural, Fishery and Aquaculture Products in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026–2030, approved by Order No. 1044 of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated May 25, 2026. The events, organized by order of the Head of State, brought together heads and representatives of relevant state bodies, heads of local executive authorities, employees of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC), farmers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders.

Baghish Ahmadov, Adviser to the Executive Director of CAERC, who participated in the regional meetings, noted that the sessions were of significant importance in terms of explaining the strategic targets set out in the State Programme to regions, establishing a unified approach to their implementation, and strengthening public-private sector cooperation. According to him, the meetings provided comprehensive information on the measures envisaged under the programme, the state support mechanisms to be extended to business entities engaged in the production and processing of agricultural and fishery products, projects planned to improve water supply, and the promotion of investment in the agricultural sector.

Baghish Ahmadov noted that the implementation of the State Programme envisages attracting approximately 5.9 billion manats in investment. Of this amount, approximately 2.2 billion manats will be financed from the state budget, with the remainder to be provided through private sector investment. In addition, a portion of private investment is envisaged to be supported through concessional financial instruments via the state's development institutions.

According to him, the regional meetings also served an important role as a direct dialogue platform with farmers and business entities. During these sessions, farmers' questions relating to the State Programme were answered by representatives of relevant state bodies, and their proposals and initiatives were heard and discussed for consideration during the programme's implementation process. Private business entities also presented investment projects they plan to carry out, and views were exchanged on expanding public-private partnerships.

Baghish Ahmadov emphasized that the sessions provided detailed information on the state support mechanisms envisaged in the areas of land consolidation, the introduction of modern irrigation systems and innovative technologies, the establishment of intensive orchards, the expansion of greenhouse farming, the development of animal husbandry and improvement of breed composition, the creation of cold storage facilities and grain silos, and the development of the agricultural processing industry. Extensive discussion was also held on the application of an interest rate subsidy mechanism to facilitate access to financial resources in agriculture, the implementation of additional support measures in animal husbandry, and the promotion of deeper processing of cotton.

According to the CAERC official, one of the key outcomes of the regional meetings was the further strengthening of coordination among central and local state bodies, farmers, business entities, and other stakeholders in the implementation of the State Programme. The sessions served not only to inform farmers and business entities about the measures envisaged under the State Programme, but also provided an opportunity to gather their proposals and recommendations regarding the effective implementation of those measures.

Baghish Ahmadov noted that the meetings resulted in the formation of a unified regional approach to the implementation of the State Programme, with key challenges and opportunities systematically assessed. According to him, in the next phase, the specification of the programme's envisaged measures at the level of each administrative district, the development of action plans aligned with local potential, and the ongoing monitoring and results-oriented evaluation of the implementation process will play an important role in achieving the programme's targets.