Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country located at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, in the South Caucasus region. It is bordered by Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to the south, while its eastern boundary is formed by the Caspian Sea, the world’s largest inland body of water. The country covers an area of about 86,600 square kilometers and exhibits highly diverse physical geography despite its relatively small size. Its landscape includes the Greater Caucasus Mountains in the north, the Lesser Caucasus in the west and southwest, extensive lowlands such as the Kura–Aras (Kur-Araz) Plain in the central and eastern parts, and semi-arid to arid zones in many interior regions.

Elevation changes are dramatic, ranging from coastal lowlands below sea level along the Caspian coast to mountain peaks exceeding 4,000 meters in the Greater Caucasus. This strong relief variation creates a wide range of microclimates and ecological zones. The Caspian Sea also plays a significant moderating role in coastal climate conditions. Azerbaijan’s climate is generally classified as subtropical and semi-arid, but it varies greatly depending on altitude and region. Lowland areas, especially in the central and eastern parts, tend to be dry with hot summers and mild winters, while mountainous regions experience cooler temperatures and higher precipitation, including snowfall at higher elevations.

Hydrologically, Azerbaijan is dominated by two major river systems: the Kura and the Aras, which flow through the country and form the Kura–Aras lowland. These rivers are essential for irrigation, drinking water supply, and agriculture, particularly in drier regions where rainfall alone is insufficient. Numerous reservoirs and irrigation canals have been developed to support water distribution, reflecting the importance of managed water resources in the country’s land-use systems.

Agriculture in Azerbaijan is strongly shaped by this geographical diversity and climatic variability. The sector remains an important part of rural livelihoods and contributes to both domestic food supply and export earnings, although its economic share is smaller than that of the oil and gas industry. Agricultural activity is concentrated mainly in the fertile lowlands and irrigated plains, where water availability and soil conditions are more favorable.

The principal crops grown in Azerbaijan include wheat, barley, maize, rice, and potatoes, alongside a wide range of fruits and vegetables. The country is particularly well known for its fruit production, especially grapes, pomegranates, apples, cherries, and citrus fruits. Viticulture has a long historical tradition and continues to be an important agricultural and cultural activity. Cotton is another significant cash crop, cultivated mainly in irrigated areas of the lowland plains, and it has historically played a major role in agricultural exports. Tea production is also concentrated in the humid subtropical Lankaran region in the southeast, where climatic conditions are suitable for plantation agriculture.
Livestock farming is widely practiced, especially in mountainous and semi-mountainous regions where crop cultivation is more difficult. Cattle, sheep, and goats are the main livestock species, with pastoralism and transhumance systems still present in some areas. Livestock products such as meat, milk, wool, and dairy products contribute significantly to rural economies and local food systems.

Despite its agricultural potential, Azerbaijan faces several constraints, including water scarcity in lowland areas, soil salinization in irrigated regions, land degradation, and the impacts of climate variability. Inefficient irrigation practices in some areas have historically contributed to declining soil quality, although modernization efforts are increasingly addressing these issues. Government programs have focused on improving irrigation infrastructure, promoting crop diversification, supporting agribusiness development, and introducing more efficient water management systems.

The relationship between geography and agriculture in Azerbaijan is strongly interconnected. Mountainous terrain and climatic contrasts determine land-use patterns, with intensive crop farming concentrated in irrigated lowlands and horticulture zones, while extensive livestock production dominates upland areas. The country’s agricultural systems therefore reflect a clear spatial adaptation to environmental conditions, highlighting the importance of geography in shaping both economic activity and rural livelihoods in Azerbaijan.

In 2010 Gerold made a short border crossing (from Tbilisi via Rustavi to the border by rental car) from Georgia to Azerbaijan (trip 126). It took me an hour to get in and out. I got a visa before, so it was easy. I didn't have more time, because Klaudia, Hartmut and Brigitte Jokisch were waiting at the border.

In 2014 Gerold was in February (cold) in Ganja, the second largest city of the country, at the university for agriculture, which want to make a curriculum for Organic. For LOGO e.V. I selected some students for internships in Germany. Agriculture is uninteresting for the people (youth) because of the oil and only for the poor and uneducated. Little land to gain. The former collective farms have been occupied by the former workers, who are subsisting there.