Assessing the sustainability of agricultural growth in Azerbaijan from an ecological perspective

Abstract

Agricultural production in Azerbaijan has expanded rapidly over recent decades, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of soil and water resources. This study aims to evaluate the sustainability of Azerbaijan’s current agricultural growth model from a ecological perspective. The analysis focuses on national-level agricultural production systems during the period 1995-2024. Secondary data from FAO, the State Statistical Committee of Azerbaijan and international databases were analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistical methods to assess trends in land use, irrigation, nutrient balances, agrochemical inputs and climate-related indicators. The results show that agricultural output increased more than ninefold since 2000, while over 36% of agricultural soils are affected by erosion and salinization, nitrogen removals exceed 380 kg ha, irrigation accounts for about 34.5% of renewable freshwater withdrawals, and agriculture contributes more than 53% to national water stress. At the same time, nitrous oxide emissions from crop production have more than doubled and methane emissions from livestock increased by about 70%, indicating rising climate pressure. These findings suggest that current growth is driven mainly by land expansion and input intensification rather than ecological efficiency. The study recommends promoting water-saving irrigation technologies, balanced nutrient management, soil conservation practices and climate-smart agriculture to improve environmental quality and long-term sustainability.