President Ilham Aliyev participated in the opening of the "Shirvan Agro" livestock complex in the Shamakhi district on March 23. During the visit, the head of state was briefed on the facility's operations by Tahir Mammadov, Head of the Shamakhi District Executive Authority.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the complex, spanning nearly 100 hectares, was established to bolster Azerbaijan's food security by providing high-quality dairy and meat products for both domestic consumption and export. The project significantly contributes to regional development and employment, specifically benefiting Shamakhi and surrounding districts.
The facility has the capacity to house 9,000 head of cattle, including 3,200 dairy cows, 3,000 beef cattle, and 2,800 calves, featuring breeds such as Holstein-Friesian, Limousin, and Aberdeen Angus. Equipped with cutting-edge technology and managed via artificial intelligence, the complex stands as one of the largest livestock enterprises in the South Caucasus and the CIS region. Notably, it is the first livestock complex in Azerbaijan to utilize alternative and green energy sources.
The enterprise features the largest "Carousel" and "Parallel" milking systems in the region, equipped with online milk quality analyzers. It also hosts a Reproduction Center—the first of its kind in the country—utilizing global genetic materials to increase milk yields. Innovative herd management systems allow for real-time monitoring, early disease diagnosis, and electronic weight calculation. To ensure precise health tracking and breeding, "AfiCollar" electronic collars are utilized for all animals.
Addressing the staff during the inauguration, President Ilham Aliyev stated: "I congratulate you. We are creating hundreds of jobs and excellent conditions. This enterprise is of great importance for the development of agriculture in both the Shamakhi district and our country as a whole. We must ensure that we provide ourselves 100 percent with meat and dairy products. The operation of such farms will fulfill this goal, and in the future, we may even export these products."
The President also highlighted the broader development of Shamakhi as a tourism and infrastructure hub, noting the modernization of the Baku-Shamakhi highway and the ongoing construction of the Shamakhi-Ismayilli-Gabala road, which includes the country's largest bridge. He emphasized that the opening of such a facility during the Ramazan and Novruz holidays symbolizes the nation's progress and optimistic future.
In recent years, Azerbaijan has prioritized the diversification of its economy through the modernization of the agricultural sector. By integrating smart farming technologies and sustainable energy, the country aims to reduce its dependence on food imports while revitalizing rural economies. The Shirvan Agro complex serves as a flagship model for this national strategy, combining industrial scale with environmental standards to enhance Azerbaijan's competitive edge in regional agricultural markets.
