Energy

Catalysing the efficiency and sustainability of Azerbaijan's hazelnut sector

Azerbaijan. A woman is smiling as she harvests fresh produce from her hazelnut farm.

©FAO/Javid Gurbanov

Project's full title	Catalysing the Efficiency and Sustainability of Azerbaijan's Hazelnut Sector - HAZER
Introduction	Azerbaijan’s agriculture sector is vital to the economy and hazelnuts represent a valuable product. The project evaluated the potential to produce sustainable bioenergy from the residues generated along the hazelnut value chain, and assessed the potential of using renewable energy interventions to tackle aflatoxin contamination.
Country	Azerbaijan
Start date	01/01/2020
End date	31/12/2023
Status	Closed
Recipient / Target Areas	Azerbaijan
Project Code	UTF /AZE/016/AZE
Objective / Goal	Evaluate the hazelnut production and support services, as well as initiatives for sustainable production intensification; assess sustainable bioenergy options in the hazelnut value chain; and build farmers’ capacity on sustainable hazelnut crop management, post-harvest handling and safety.
Partners	Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Beneficiaries	Actors in the hazelnut value chain, including producers, processors, and exporters. Hazelnut is an important crop in the northwestern and northeastern parts of Azerbaijan (including Balakan, Gakh, Zagatala and Khachmaz).
Activities	Hazelnut production and support services evaluated, and initiatives for sustainable production intensification developed. Sustainable bioenergy options in the hazelnut value chain evaluated. Farmers’ capacity on sustainable hazelnut crop management, post-harvest handling and safety improved.
More on this topic	Sustainable bioenergy from agriculture Efficiency and sustainability of energy in agriculture
Related publications	Hazelnut sector in Azerbaijan - Options for green energy interventions along the value chain 31/12/2023 Azerbaijan’s agriculture sector is vital to the economy and hazelnuts represent a valuable product.The report aims to evaluate the potential to produce sustainable bioenergy from the residues generated along the hazelnut value chain in Azerbaijan. A techno-economic assessment of the possible bioenergy pathways considered viable in the country’s context was conducted.