Three regions in Azerbaijan to join Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System

Three regions in the North West of Azerbaijan – Zagatala, Gakh, and Balakan – will be registered as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) sites within the framework of the initiative EU4Business ‘Development of sustainable and inclusive local agrifood systems in the North West region of Azerbaijan’ project. The project is funded by the European Union and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

GIAHS are aesthetic sites that combine agricultural biodiversity, resilient ecosystems and valuable cultural heritage. Thanks to traditional agricultural practices, sustainable ecosystems that protect agrarian biodiversity have been formed in these climate tolerant areas. Being registered as a GIAHS area is of great importance for the current and future food security of the region, ensuring the livelihood of the population, as well as the development of other economic and environmental products and services.

In the Azerbaijani regions, which will join 62 GIAHS territories from 22 countries, the project seeks to form value chains that support small agricultural entrepreneurship and contribute to the elimination of poverty in the area. The project will also develop the region’s agricultural tourism potential, promoting the whole country to foreign tourists.

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Press release

EU4Business projects in Azerbaijan