Sustainable Development Goals at Baku State University.

University Access to Local Farmers and Food Producers

Baku State University (BSU) provides access to university facilities, laboratories, and technology to local farmers and food producers to improve sustainable farming practices. The university is committed to supporting regional agriculture, promoting innovation, and fostering sustainable agricultural development in Azerbaijan. Through various initiatives, BSU collaborates with local farmers and food producers to transfer knowledge, offer training, and enhance modern farming techniques.

For example, in 2024, BSU organized a scientific seminar on “New Directions of Modern Agriculture: Hydroponics and Aquaponics Systems”, led by Nurlan Amrakhov, a researcher at the Bioengineering Scientific-Research Laboratory of the Center of Excellence for Research, Development, and Innovations. The seminar provided local farmers and agricultural specialists with practical guidance on implementing small-scale hydroponic and aquaponic systems, addressing challenges such as soil salinization and water scarcity, and promoting resource-efficient plant cultivation. Participants also learned about the economic efficiency, advantages, and limitations of these systems.

BSU also enables local farmers to access its Faculty of Biology and Bioengineering laboratories, where they can observe experiments and gain hands-on experience with hydroponic and aquaponic setups, plant tissue culture techniques, and soil and plant analysis tools. This access allows farmers to integrate modern research methods into their farming operations.

In addition, BSU organizes scientific-practical conferences and workshops in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Azerbaijan State Agricultural University, covering topics such as soil sustainability, water resource management, and sustainable crop production. These events facilitate direct interaction between researchers and farmers, allowing the exchange of practical experiences and the establishment of partnerships to advance sustainable agriculture.

Through these seminars, workshops, and access to research facilities, BSU actively supports local farmers in adopting innovative, eco-friendly farming practices, increasing productivity, and contributing to food security in Azerbaijan.