Azerbaijan introducing AI, drones into agriculture to adapt to climate change

In a situation where climate change is increasing pressure on land and water resources, the agriculture sector must undergo a faster, smarter, and more sustainable transformation, Azerbaijani Agriculture Minister Majnun Mammadov said on the second day of Baku Climate Action Week 2026 (BCAW 2026), Report informs.

The minister noted that Azerbaijan's vision for the agrarian sector is based on a development model that is productive, competitive, climate‑resilient, and innovation‑driven.

"These strategic goals are broadly reflected in the State Program on the Development of Production and Processing of Agricultural, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Products in Azerbaijan for 2026–2030, approved by the head of state," he said.

Mammadov emphasized that productivity and sustainability are complementary priorities:

"According to the State Program, by 2030 the area equipped with modern irrigation systems is planned to increase from about 130,000 hectares to 300,000 hectares. At the same time, early warning systems are to be established in regions sensitive to climate change. Within the framework of sector digitalization, artificial intelligence, satellite and remote sensing technologies, drones, and sensors are being widely introduced.

Under the ministry's Artificial Intelligence Initiative in agriculture, data integration from various sources is being carried out. For this purpose, the process of installing more than 180 meteorological and climate stations across the country is ongoing. The real value of technology lies in its practical benefit to farmers in the field, enabling efficient use of water resources and timely risk management."