The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has approved the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Seed Production.” By regulating relations pertaining to the production, processing, procurement, storage, transportation, commercial circulation, import and export, certification, and quality control of seeds, the Law is of significant importance for improving legal and institutional mechanisms, as well as quality control mechanisms, in the agricultural sector.

Abdulrahim Dadashov, Deputy Head of the Monitoring and Evaluation Division of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC), stated that seeds constitute one of the key initial inputs in crop production and directly affect productivity, product quality, and farmers’ production outcomes. Improving certification, traceability, and control mechanisms in this area contributes to enhancing the efficiency of the agricultural production chain as a whole. He noted that the Law regulates not only the production stage of seeds but also all stages of their circulation, including field inspection, laboratory testing, certification, commercial circulation, and market surveillance.

One of the important aspects of the Law is the specification of state regulation, registration, and quality requirements in the seed production sector through concrete articles and provisions. The document provides for requirements concerning seed quality and certification; the registration of seed production facilities and entities; the establishment of state seed reserve funds; the determination of varietal identity and sowing quality of seeds; the implementation of field inspections; and the monitoring of seed production activities. These measures are of particular importance in preventing the circulation of low-quality and uncertified seeds in the market.

He further noted that the establishment of an information resource in the field of plant breeding and seed production, namely the Register and its subsystem, is of particular importance under the Law. The electronic registration of seed operators, the certification of seeds, and the digital collection of sector-specific data will contribute to improving the transparency and efficiency of management.

The new Law is also aligned with the “State Program on the Development of the Production and Processing of Agricultural, Fisheries and Aquaculture Products in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026–2030.” The development of seed production and breeding potential has been identified as one of the key objectives under Activity Area 8.1.4 of the State Program. In particular, this measure envisages the development and implementation of legal, institutional, and support measures aimed at advancing seed production and nursery production. In this regard, the Law strengthens the legal foundations for the registration of seed production entities, certification of seeds, establishment of quality requirements for import and export operations, monitoring of the seed market, and application of risk-based control mechanisms.

Another important area addressed by the Law is the establishment of legal foundations for state support to seed production. Subsidies for the production and sale of locally produced seeds, concessional loans for individuals and legal entities operating in the seed production sector, incentive measures for the insurance of seed crops, and other economic support instruments may contribute to expanding domestic production in this field. This approach is important for gradually reducing dependence on imports and enhancing the competitiveness of domestic seed production.

Abdulrahim Dadashov noted that strengthening quality control in the seed production sector contributes not only to increasing agricultural productivity but also to reducing farmers’ production risks. The use of low-quality and non-zoned seeds may create risks such as lower productivity, the spread of diseases, and increased production costs. The new legal framework, by promoting the circulation of certified seeds with confirmed varietal identity and sowing quality, will help mitigate these risks.

The provisions of the Law concerning the establishment of state seed reserve funds are also of significant importance from the perspective of food security. The availability of seed reserves in cases of natural disasters, emergencies, and other risks may help ensure the continuity of agricultural production. In this regard, the formation of seed reserves serves as a mechanism that strengthens not only the resilience of agricultural production but also the sustainability of strategic food supplies.

The Law “On Seed Production” is expected to make a significant contribution to improving the supply of quality seeds in the agricultural sector, developing domestic seed production, strengthening certification and digital control mechanisms, and achieving the objectives set out in the State Program concerning the enhancement of seed production and breeding potential.