“The 4th Agrarian Startups and Innovation Forum is underway.”
The 4th Agrarian Startups and Innovation Forum was held today, jointly organized by the Agrarian Innovation Center of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences of ADA University.
Startup.az reports, citing the ministry, that the forum took place at the Italian-Azerbaijani University under ADA University.
The forum brought together representatives of government institutions, leaders of higher education institutions, representatives of acceleration and incubation centers, investors, agrarian startup founders, and companies specializing in agriculture.
At the 4th Agrarian Startups and Innovation Forum, innovative solutions and technology examples presented by agrarian startups, acceleration and incubation centers, as well as private sector representatives, were showcased.
The exhibition featured winners of various competitions and contests, while more than 90 startup founders participating in the project “Application of Artificial Intelligence in Precision Agriculture” presented 43 innovative products. At the same time, 20 higher education institutions, more than 20 acceleration and incubation centers, research institutes of the Ministry of Agriculture, and private companies operating in the agrarian sector presented their products and services.
Among the showcased projects were AI-based irrigation systems, agrorobot technologies, soil and crop monitoring solutions, alternative energy and biofuel projects, smart greenhouse systems, and digital agrarian platforms.
Speaking at the official opening ceremony, ADA University Rector Hafiz Pashayev stated that the exhibition holds special significance given the growing interest in agriculture in the country. “More than two years have passed since the establishment of the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences at ADA University. During this period, the role of such initiatives and platforms in the development of the faculty has been invaluable. Watching our students confidently and enthusiastically present their startup projects clearly demonstrates young people’s interest and passion for this field,” the rector added.
Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov noted in his speech that the global economy is transitioning to an innovation-driven development model. He emphasized that Azerbaijan is also expanding the application of innovative and digital approaches across all sectors of the economy, including agriculture, as part of its integration into the global economic system.
The minister stated that the Ministry of Agriculture pays special attention to the development of the startup ecosystem and implements competitions, hackathons, and innovative projects aimed at increasing young people’s interest in the agrarian sector. He added that, alongside existing support measures for agrarian startups, the ministry plans to expand the agrarian startup ecosystem and promote farmers’ use of innovative services.
Director of the Agrarian Innovation Center Anar Jafarov highlighted the strategic importance of introducing innovations in agriculture, emphasizing the strengthening of food security, efficient resource use amid climate change, and the перспективes for applying AI-based solutions.
He noted that startup participants of the forum will present their innovative solutions within the framework of the project “Application of Artificial Intelligence in Precision Agriculture” at the Caspian Agro – 19th Azerbaijan International Agriculture Exhibition to be held in May.
After the speeches, video presentations about agrarian startups were shown, and successful startup founders presented their innovative projects to forum participants.
Later, startup founders who received mentorship support at acceleration and incubation centers and improved their projects were awarded certificates.
Panel discussions were also held within the framework of the forum on the topics “Prospects for the Development of the Agrarian Startup Ecosystem” and “The Role of Knowledge and Academia in the Formation and Implementation of Innovations.”
During the discussions, participants exchanged views on strengthening university–industry cooperation, commercializing scientific research, and improving the investment environment.
The 4th Agrarian Startups and Innovation Forum serves as an important platform for strengthening the agrarian innovation ecosystem, expanding startups’ market access opportunities, building cooperation with investors, and promoting the practical application of scientific knowledge.
