The closİng press conference of the “AgrİVİsİon” project was held.

On November 25, the closing press conference of the “AgriVision” project, financed by the European Union, implemented jointly by Eurasia Partnership Foundation and “Constitution” Research Foundation, was held.

Since 2020, the project has provided support for the further development and additional income of small and medium enterprises in the Lankaran-Astara Economic Region. The main goals of the project are in line with the development goals of the government of Azerbaijan regarding the expansion of the non-oil sector, as well as the elimination of the income gap between urban and rural areas. In addition, the project was implemented as part of the European Union’s 2015 Annual Action Programme “Integrated Regional Development of Azerbaijan” (IRDA).

“This project carries a great significance for the strong partnership between the EU in Azerbaijan, both from the perspective of bilateral assistance and from the perspective of implementing the Economic and Investment Plan. The project supports smallholder farmers to build capacity and diversify income generating sources, adds value to the agricultural and the agro-tourism sectors as an alternative income source for rural population. It is also an excellent example of our cooperation with civil society, the private sector, local government and state agencies in promoting local food and economic opportunities in the hospitality sector”, said Mr. Victor Bojkov, Head of the Cooperation Section of the Delegation of the European Union in Azerbaijan.

The representatives of local executive authorities participating in the conference also provided information on the existing policy framework for state institutions and measures supporting the development of agro-tourism in Azerbaijan. The representatives of the local institutions of the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Small and Medium Business Development Agency, who were invited to the event, noted the role of agri/ecotourism in the diversification of the economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and highly appreciated the cooperation involved in the project. Later, Ramin Safarzadeh, the manager of the “AgriVision” project, made a brief presentation about the project and gave information about the goals and objectives of the project, the works were carried out and the results achieved. At the end of the press conference, small and medium-sized farm owners who benefited from cooperation within the project expressed their gratitude for the work done and the support provided, and expressed their wish for such projects to continue.