Environmental and Social Management Framework (esmf)

Animal husbandry. Although animal husbandry is the main part of agriculture in Azerbaijan, it meets only half of the population demands for meat, dairy and egg products. Due to large pastures and the shortage to cultivable lands, animal husbandry developed more than plant-growing in the mountainous regions of Azerbaijan, especially in Nagorno Shirvan and Kelbecer-Lachin economic regions.

Cattle-breeding – comprises more than 50% of total value of animal husbandry products and 45% of meat production in Azerbaijan. Cattle are the main part of cattle-breeding. In Aran and Sheki-Zakatala regions bufalo, in Lerik and Yardimli regions Zebu are raised for meat and milk production. Cattle-breeding has developed in all regions of Azerbaijan 70% of the cattle are cows and buffaloes in Azerbaijan.

Sheep-breeding developed in the mountainous regions and foothills of Azerbaijan Mountain Merinos, Qala, Qarabakh, Balbas and other breeds of sheep are raised in Azerbaijan. The meat, skin, and wool of the sheep are used. The speedy breeding, little labor and little demand for feeding has made sheep-breeding one of the most efficient fields of animal husbandry for meeting the demands of population to meat in Azerbaijan. There are enough natural feed resources, summer and winter pastures for the development of sheep-breeding in Azerbaijan. The majority of summer pastures being under occupation hinders the development of sheep-breeding in Azerbaijan.