The 2nd Raspberry Festival and Agrarian Business Festival were held in Keşkü village of Goygol district.
These events, held to support the development of the region's agricultural sector and agrotourism, were organized by the Goygol District Executive Power and the Agrarian Innovation Center of the Ministry of Agriculture, with the partnership of the State Tourism Agency, "AzerGold" Closed Joint-Stock Company, Ganja-Dashkasan Regional Culture Department, Ganja-Dashkasan Regional Employment Branch, Ganja-Gazakh Regional Coordination of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency, “Shirin Agro” CJSC, “DNK Hospital”, “Prior Leasing” and other public and private institutions.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the event, Elvin Pashayev, Head of Goygol District Executive Power, stated that the 2nd Raspberry Festival allows local producers to introduce their products to a wider audience and showcase Goygol district's potential for agrotourism development. He noted that the purpose of organizing the festival is to increase the region's competitiveness in the tourism sector, support the development of agrotourism, promote the unique aspects of Goygol district and its agricultural products, and contribute to economic development by encouraging raspberry production. Elvin Pashayev, mentioning the great interest in the festival held for the second time, reminded that Goygol district is one of the regions in our country where berries, including raspberries, are most cultivated, and wished success to the participants and guests.
Anar Jafarov, Director of the Agrarian Innovation Center, stated that product festivals organized in the regions have become an excellent platform for farmers and entrepreneurs working in the agricultural sector to showcase their products, find new sales channels, and exchange experiences. He reminded that the held festivals are also of great importance in terms of enlightenment, and within the framework of the festivals, panel discussions on “State Support Mechanisms for the Agricultural Sector” were held, and a credit fair was organized.
Other speakers at the opening ceremony of the event stated that the 2nd Raspberry Festival and Agrarian Business Festival held in Goygol district are important for better evaluating the region's agricultural and tourism potential.
After the opening ceremony, the organizers of the event familiarized themselves with the stands of berry producers participating in the festival and the private and public institutions attending the Agrarian Business Festival.
Alongside the 2nd Raspberry Festival, an Agrarian Business Festival was also held in Goygol district. This festival is considered an important platform where enterprises, state institutions, and entrepreneurs operating in the agricultural sector come together. The latest Agrarian Business Festival held in Goygol district was organized by the Agrarian Innovation Center of the Ministry of Agriculture, and subordinate bodies of the Ministry actively participated in the event.
Private and public institutions participating in the festival provided detailed information to farmers and festival attendees about services and support tools in the agricultural sector.
Products and services were also presented to festival participants by companies operating in the fields of seed production, fertilizer and pesticide production, agricultural machinery, and irrigation systems.
At the credit fair organized within the framework of the Agrarian Business Festival, leading banks and financial institutions of the country participated, providing detailed information to agricultural entrepreneurs about preferential loans, state support mechanisms, and investment opportunities. Farmers gained practical knowledge on how to benefit from new financing tools by directly communicating with bank representatives.
Within the framework of the Agrarian Business Festival, panel discussions were held on the topic “State Support Mechanisms in the Agricultural Sector”. During the discussions, ideas were exchanged on accessibility to state support tools in agriculture, credit and insurance opportunities, increasing employment, food safety standards, and enhancing entrepreneurs' access to markets.
It should be noted that at the festivals organized in Keşkü village, visitors were given the opportunity to get acquainted more closely with raspberry production, and tasting and sale of raspberry varieties presented by local producers were organized. Various entertaining show programs and master classes were demonstrated for guests within the framework of the event. Visitors had the opportunity to get acquainted with handicrafts prepared by artisans, watch an open-air concert program, and exemplary performances by athletes.
It should be recalled that Goygol district is one of the regions in Azerbaijan where berries are most cultivated. In recent years, industrial cultivation of raspberries has been carried out in the district. Farmers prefer to cultivate the more productive “Polka” and “Polyana” varieties of raspberries. Last year, berries, mainly raspberries and blackberries, were cultivated on 120.5 hectares in Goygol. 164.6 tons of produce were harvested from these areas, with an average yield of 14.2 centners/ha.
Thousands of guests visited the two-day festivals.
