As part of a visit to Gabala, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of an agro-industrial complex of the “Agro Complex Gabala” LLC

First the head of state reviewed a model of the enterprise in the office building of the complex.

The Executive Director of the National Fund on Entrepreneurship Support under of the Ministry of Economic Development, Shirzad Abdullayev, noted that the enterprise was a product of the state program on the socioeconomic development of regions. The total area of the agro-industrial complex established in Vandam village of Gabala District is 20 hectares. The enterprise includes dairy and beef units and a crop farm based on a modern irrigation system.

It was noted that the total cost of the complex is 25 million manats. Preferential loans of the state were also used in the implementation of this project. The National Fund on Entrepreneurship Support allocated a soft loan of 14 million manats for the construction. The breeding unit operates fully automated ventilation, irrigation, feeding, heating and other farm equipment from one of the leading manufacturers of agricultural machinery in the world – German company “GEA”.

The livestock and dairy unit for a thousand head raises Simmental dairy and breeding cows. Each cow produces a daily average of 25 liters of milk of 4-4.5 per cent fat content. Initially, the complex imported 640 Simmental dairy cows. The animals have completely adapted to the local climate. Contracts for the delivery of additional purebreds have already been signed and they will be delivered soon.

President Ilham Aliyev observed the milking process. It was noted that the milking area was equipped with carousel facilities designed for simultaneous milking of 28 cows, as well as cooling systems and other auxiliary equipment. This equipment enables separate accounting for the amount of milk provided by each cow, its fat content and other quality indicators.

It was noted that the cattle-breeding complex raises 1,000 head of Simmental cows of meat breed. The weight of the animals increases by an average of 1.4-1.6 kg per day. They are able to provide meat enriched with valuable protein, vitamins and minerals by 65-70 per cent. In order to provide the complex with uninterrupted resources, a fodder farm has been established on an area of 1,050 hectares in Gabala. Thanks to the use of a system of alternate crops at the farm, the complex is fully provided with feed. An agricultural service enterprise consisting of 35 units of modern agricultural equipment and 10 machines from such leading companies as German “Class” and Dutch “New-Holland” has been put in place to carry out harvesting and farming works. The agricultural service enterprise has tractors, combines, aggregates for conventional and pneumatic sowing of seeds, cultivators, rollers, disc harrows, equipment for drug sprayers and backfilling of fertilizer, and other state-of-the-art equipment. The work done has increased productivity almost two-fold. There are plans to establish a fully equipped meat processing factory within the agro-industrial complex in the future. It will cover the entire process from slaughter of animals to meat packing and shipping to customers in compliance with all hygiene requirements. The implementation of the project will help meet the population demand for milk and meat and also expand exports. The agro-industrial complex permanently employs more than 200 people.

While reviewing the complex, the head of state was informed that in order to promote the application of modern technology, cultivate purebred animals, use agricultural machinery and learn from the experience of advanced countries, some workers have attended special courses in European countries. In order to enhance experience in the future, there are plans to send other personnel for courses and seminars.

President Ilham Aliyev praised the work done at the complex and gave further instructions and recommendations.