EU supports presentation of regional traditional foods and agriculture products from the Mountains Shirvan region at the Food Festival and Agriculture fair in Shamakhi

The European Union-funded project “Promoting local food production and agri-business owners through advisory services” implemented by the Center for Economic and Social Development (CED) in partnership with the “Uluchay” Social-Economic Innovation Center and Center for Economic Development from Bulgaria organized the Food Festival and Agriculture fair in Shamakhi with the participation of representatives of international organizations, state agencies, mass-media, as well as farmers, entrepreneurs, foreign and local tourists on July 2022.

The main goal of the Food Festival to be organized in Shamakhi was to present the agricultural products produced in the Mountainous Shirvan Economic Region, the traditional food heritage, and promote it among local and foreign tourists and other stakeholders. Agricultural and traditional food products representing Shamakhi, Ismayilli, Gobustan and Agsu regions were presented at the festival. More than 100 participants took part in the event.

In the opening part of the festival, the chairman of the Center for Economic and Social Development (CESD) Vugar Bayramov informed about the importance of the festival. He said that earlier similar festivals were organized in the cities of Shamakhi and Sheki. The next festival will be held on July 7 in the city of Sheki.

Chrtomir Peter Fischinger, a Counsellor Political, Economic, Press and Information Section, Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Azerbaijan, informed about the projects carried out by the Delegation in Azerbaijan and their results. He stated that the European Union continues to cooperate with civil society institutions in Azerbaijan, and such projects are important from the point of view of regional development and economic diversification.

Tahir Mammadov, head of the Shamakhi District Executive Authority, pointed out that the cuisine is ancient and rich, just like the history of the region. Emphasizing that the holding of such festivals in Shamakhi is not accidental, he said that in the future, several more great events of national importance will be held in the region.

Tamam Jafarova, MP of the Milli Majlis, informed about the tourism potential and food heritage of Shamakhi. He stated that the programs implemented for the social and economic development of the regions make a special contribution to the creation of more jobs in the regions and the development of agro-tourism.

The EU-funded project “Promoting local food production and agri-business owners through advisory services, creating new value chain models and agri-tourism development” aims to improve access of the local farmers to comprehensive agricultural and entrepreneurial-oriented advisory services to help market local products and develop agri-tourism potential.

Similar festivals were organized in Sheki on September 4, 2021, and in Shamakhi on November 27 2021 with the participation of more than 150 people each.