IFAD in Azerbaijan

IFAD has helped finance three projects in Azerbaijan, for a total project cost of US$94.0 million.

IFAD’s strategy in Azerbaijan

The goal of IFAD's strategy in Azerbaijan is to support the government’s efforts to reduce poverty substantially and improve living conditions for disadvantaged rural communities. IFAD provides support within the overall framework of the State Programme for Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development, and in particular for the development of rural areas and for agriculture as a dominant force in the rural economy.

Rural poverty in the country is deeply rooted and widespread in both the mountainous areas and the lowlands. IFAD supports the irrigated sector, which is the main farming system and a key resource for rural employment and national food security. The organization also focuses on assisting disadvantaged communities in mountainous and highland areas. Interventions in these areas help develop small-scale farm units that contribute to protecting and restoring the environment.

In the past IFAD assisted in piloting development efforts in small areas scattered throughout the country. In the future it will focus on scaling up successful experiences to cover sizeable and contiguous areas.

The main priorities for IFAD's interventions in Azerbaijan are:

improving the production, productivity and competitiveness of agricultural produce, through irrigation-system rehabilitation and participatory irrigation management
improving product marketing arrangements and links
encouraging development of off-farm income-generating activities
improving access to rural finance
supporting gender mainstreaming

Source: IFAD

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