Heavy rains in Azerbaijan have damaged nearly 2,100 hectares of cultivated land

Applications have been registered with the Agricultural Insurance Fund (ASF) regarding damage to nearly 2,100 hectares of cultivated land caused by heavy rainfall in Azerbaijan.

It was reported that the unstable weather conditions observed in recent days across the country, including heavy rains and above-normal precipitation, have had a serious impact on agriculture, as on other sectors. According to the Fund, heavy rains, resulting river overflows and flooding have led to the inundation of farmland in some areas, causing damage to farms.

In this regard, applications from insured farmers whose farms have been affected have sharply increased. Based on the applications, flooding has affected not only field crops but also orchards. Most of the damage reports have been recorded in the Guba-Khachmaz, Mountainous Shirvan, Shirvan-Salyan, and Karabakh regions.

According to the latest data, the most significant damage caused by heavy rainfall has occurred in the Khachmaz and Shabran districts. In Khachmaz district, due to the overflow of the Agchay River and other small rivers following heavy rains, insured autumn barley and wheat fields, as well as almond, pear, and quince orchards in the Istisu settlement, Ahmadoba, Hajiakhmadoba, Garajalli, Keymarez, Niyazoba, Garagurdlu, Chighatay, Hacilar, and Gargan villages have been flooded. Some fields have been covered with silt, and according to farmers’ reports, the water level in some areas has reached 60 centimeters.

In Shabran district, heavy rains caused the Devachi and Shabran rivers to overflow, as well as some canals, resulting in flooding of insured autumn barley fields and a cherry orchard in the Liman, Udulu Aghaliq, and Gendov villages.

In Gusar district, the overflow of a river coming from Bukhur village flooded a barley field in Chubuqlu village, while the overflow of the Yasab River inundated an insured wheat field in Yasab village.

In Guba district, the Quru River overflowed and flooded an apple orchard in Ashagi Khuc village, while in Siyazan district, intensive and heavy rainfall caused flooding of autumn barley fields in the Balaca Hamya and Galashikhi villages.

According to applications received by the ASF, the main reports in the Mountainous Shirvan region have been recorded from Aghsu district. Floodwaters descending from the mountains inundated insured almond orchards and wheat fields in Rahimagali and Muradli villages.

In Shamakhi district, the overflow of the Aghsu River caused flooding in barley fields in Chukhuryurd village, while in Gobustan district, above-normal rainfall led to flooding in barley fields in Darekend village.

At the same time, according to ASF applications, the overflow of the Pirsaat River flooded a barley field in Gizilburun village of Hajigabul district. In Aghjabadi district, an apple orchard was damaged by storms and heavy rainfall.

All applications submitted by farmers have been registered, and agricultural insurance experts have been dispatched to the regions to inspect the affected areas, investigate the incidents, and assess the damage. Starting from April 2, independent experts will begin the damage assessment process in the flooded agricultural areas.

The Agricultural Insurance Fund urges insured farmers in the affected areas to inspect their fields and report any incidents to the Fund’s 1651 Call Center to ensure timely damage assessment.

It should be noted that the agricultural insurance mechanism provided with state support in Azerbaijan covers 41 types of crops and plant products against multiple risks. These include hail, storms, floods, heavy rain, frost, excessive snowfall, fire, landslides, actions of third parties, and others.

When insuring farmland, 50 percent of the insurance premium is paid by the state, allowing farmers to insure their crops with minimal cost.

For example, in the Guba-Khachmaz region, where the highest number of flooding-related applications has been recorded, insuring one hectare of wheat valued at 1,000 manats costs the farmer only 6.65 manats, while insuring barley costs just 8.05 manats.

In the Mountainous Shirvan region, where flooding has also occurred, insuring one hectare of wheat valued at 1,000 manats costs 10.80 manats, while barley insurance costs 13.65 manats. The Agricultural Insurance Fund calls on farmers to take advantage of affordable state-supported insurance to protect their crops from multiple risks.