Azerbaijan Sets Sights on 100% Domestic Wheat and Barley Seed Production by 2030
Azerbaijan has set an ambitious goal to become self-sufficient in wheat and barley seed production by 2030. According to Taleh Zeynalov, Deputy Chairman of the Agrarian Services Agency, the government aims to source 100% of its wheat and barley seeds domestically.
This move is part of Azerbaijan's strategy to insulate its agricultural sector from global supply chain volatility. By controlling the proprietary genetic material required to cultivate these crops, the country hopes to stabilize input costs for local farmers while improving overall harvest yields.
The transition to 100% domestic seed supply requires a massive expansion of localized breeding programs tailored to the unique microclimates of the South Caucasus. To achieve this goal, the Ministry of Agriculture will scale up the production of elite and super-elite seed varieties that demonstrate high yield potential and resilience against drought conditions.