The Ministry of Agriculture’s Agrarian Innovation Center has launched the project “Application of Artificial Intelligence in Precision Agriculture.”
The goal of the project is to promote the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture by leveraging innovations and digital technologies. The initial phase of the project involves selecting higher education institutions and innovative farms, organizing workshops at universities by private companies operating in priority areas of agriculture (such as crop production, horticulture, fisheries, livestock, and plant protection), and conducting informational tours to agro-parks and large farms.

The first workshop under this initiative was held on April 16 at Baku State University (BSU).

Speaking at the opening ceremony, BSU Rector Elchin Babayev emphasized the significance of launching the project’s initial stage at BSU. He noted that in today’s world, artificial intelligence is becoming an integral part not only of technologies but also of lifestyles, and agriculture is one of the primary sectors undergoing this transformation. He highlighted the necessity of protecting soil, water, and nature through smart management methods and stated that the project “Application of Artificial Intelligence in Precision Agriculture” aims to address these global challenges.

The Rector further underlined that under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan is pursuing a consistent and targeted policy toward digital development, innovation, and modernization of the agricultural sector. The aim of this policy is to build a competitive human capital environment, foster modern innovations, and transform AI and digitalization into key drivers of economic development. BSU actively participates in this process through its scientific research in AI, agricultural technologies, and sustainable development, supported by an intellectual environment, modern laboratories, and practical training facilities that will significantly contribute to the effective implementation of this project.

He also noted that BSU students and faculty have been winners of several grant competitions announced by the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBİA) for education, research, and support projects targeting micro, small, and medium-sized businesses. In recent years, BSU students have stood out at the “TEKNOFEST” Aerospace and Technology Festival with agricultural-focused technological solutions. At TEKNOFEST-2023 in Istanbul, BSU’s “Humantek” team won third place in the “Agricultural Technologies” category with their “Smart Drip Irrigation System” project. In 2024, at TEKNOFEST-Adana, the “ESST-6” team reached the finals and secured third place with an environmentally-friendly smart monitoring system applicable to the agricultural sector. Moreover, the “Irrigo – Sustainable Agricultural Ecosystem” project developed by BSU students has qualified for the final stage of TEKNOFEST 2025, which will be held in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. This project encompasses innovative solutions such as wastewater treatment and reuse for agriculture, the IoT system, and the “Smart Village” concept, demonstrating the development of an academic and research environment focused on agricultural innovation at BSU.

The Rector stressed that the “Application of Artificial Intelligence in Precision Agriculture” project is an important step towards shaping the country’s innovative future. This initiative will contribute to the intellectual development of Azerbaijan’s agricultural sector, deepen cooperation between higher education institutions and industry, and support the realization of young people’s potential, marking a critical milestone toward smart agriculture.

Director of the Agrarian Innovation Center, Anar Jafarov, emphasized the importance of scientific research and innovations being reflected in agriculture and the commercialization of scientific knowledge. He expressed high expectations from BSU in this regard. Jafarov also announced that based on the theoretical and practical knowledge gained through this project, a “Bootcamp” will be organized on April 28-29 in Aghali village, Zangilan District. The main objectives of the bootcamp include promoting technological innovations based on innovative solutions for the development of agriculture in liberated territories, raising awareness among young people living in these areas about agricultural innovations, facilitating experience sharing among stakeholders operating in agriculture, and fostering mutually beneficial business meetings. Smart and innovative solutions proposed by university teams will be applied to selected private farms within the framework of the project.

Director of the ASAN Innovation Center, Vusal Rustamov, noted in his speech that such projects would accelerate the effective integration of AI into the economy. He stressed that higher education institutions, especially BSU, have great potential in the field of artificial intelligence, and the private sector can greatly benefit from this potential.

The event was also attended by representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture's subordinate institutions, heads and specialists of major agro-parks operating in the agricultural sector, and leaders of innovation, incubation, and acceleration centers supporting the development of entrepreneurship among youth.

Speakers such as Elmar Allahverdiyev, Chairman of the Board of the Vegetable Research Institute; Shohret Mammadov, Director of "Shabran-D" LLC; Kocheri Mammadov, Director of "Agro Systems" LLC; Emin Kara, Chief Agronomist of "Grow Group Azerbaijan" LLC; Ruslan Zeynal, Head of Department at the Agricultural Credit and Development Agency; and Isa Gasimov, Head of the “Enterprise Azerbaijan” portal, shared their insights on the application of automated systems and AI in agriculture and presented their institutions’ activities in this domain.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13: Climate Action and SDG 15: Life on Land