Supporting e-Agriculture in Azerbaijan: innovative and effective agricultural policy management
Republic of Azerbaijan
Project summary
Client
Republic of Azerbaijan: Ministry of Agriculture
Project title
Support to e-Agriculture in Azerbaijan: innovative and effective agricultural policy management for higher productivity and competitiveness
Partners
AGROTEC S.p.A. (Italy)
Agrárközgazdasági Intézet (AKI) (Hungary)
National Paying Agency of Lithuania (NMA) (Lithuania)
SEFT Consulting Ltd. (Azerbaijan)
Project description
The core aim of this project was to introduce a fair and transparent system for the distribution of agricultural subsidies in Azerbaijan. By providing reliable data for policy making, the project aimed to influence and refine the impact of agricultural policies, ultimately enhancing the quality of life in rural areas.
Project solution
Objective
The project aimed to implement a transparent aid system with reliable data to support policy-making. This would improve the quality of life in rural areas and make the distribution of agricultural subsidies more efficient.
Implementation
The project endeavored to bolster the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) by developing an Information System for Subsidy and Policy (ISSP). This involved the creation of a Farm Register and a database detailing utilized agricultural lands. In partnership with Vialto Consulting, the MoA ensured software quality, enhanced institutional technical capabilities, and fostered efficient data collection and exchange. Comprehensive guidelines and methodologies were implemented for the e-agriculture system, along with requisite training to maximize software utility. The main institutions collaborating for this initiative included the Ministry of Agriculture and various other state bodies, as highlighted by the 2014 Cabinet of Ministers’ Decision.
Services provided under the project umbrella encompassed software solution assessments, spatial reference data creation, and spatial data management. There was also a strong emphasis on on-the-spot checks, ensuring data quality and exchange, managing software upgrades, drafting procedure manuals, and integrating various IT modules like AMIS and the financial accounting system within an e-agricultural framework.
In essence, the project served as a comprehensive overhaul of Azerbaijan’s agricultural data and subsidy management systems. With the amalgamation of cutting-edge software and meticulous data management, the project envisioned and achieved a brighter future for Azerbaijan’s rural areas.
In essence, the project served as a comprehensive overhaul of Azerbaijan’s agricultural data and subsidy management systems. With the amalgamation of cutting-edge software and meticulous data management, the project envisioned and achieved a brighter future for Azerbaijan’s rural areas.
Result
Upon successful completion, the project delivered a robust Information System on Subsidy Policy with strategic IT plans. This entailed a spatial database of agricultural lands, comprehensive data management techniques, methods for on-the-spot checks, and external data quality control. Furthermore, the project successfully integrated the e-agriculture system into at least five pilot MoA offices and laid the groundwork for an Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS).
