Under the “State Program for the Development of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Production and Processing in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026–2030,” approved by President Ilham Aliyev on May 25, 2026, a new milestone has been established for expanding the nation’s aquaculture sector. The program’s core objectives focus on boosting production, more fully satisfying domestic demand, broadening export potential, and shaping a modern production model.
The strategic vision outlines an increase in total fish production to 7.7 thousand tons by 2030. In the Nakhchivan Autonomous Region, practical steps are already underway to align with these goals, particularly through the revitalization of fisheries in the Sharur district.
Sea-news.az reports citing AZERTAC, that one such prominent initiative is the Arpachay Fisheries Farm, located in the village of Diza.
Originally established in 2010 and initially rehabilitated in 2019 for natural carp propagation, the farm is currently undergoing extensive reconstruction. Farm owner Elvin Mirzəyev noted that since early June of this year, 350,000 grass carp and common carp fry (weighing 3–5 grams) have been introduced into the ponds.
The water features an oxygen concentration of 11–12 milligrams per liter, surpassing the typical 8–9 milligrams required for trout cultivation and providing an ideal environment for fish growth. The facility comprises 5 lakes and 16 rearing pools. Plans are in place to raise nearly 96 tons of trout across two designated lakes. Fertilized eggs will be incubated on-site, and once fry reach 3–5 grams, they will be transferred to grow out.
The farm aims to produce at least 50 tons of fish in the upcoming season alone. Trout will be harvested and marketed locally and regionally once they reach a marketable weight of 300–400 grams. Sazan and grass carp are being fed with natural feed sources and will be ready for market at 1.5–2 kilograms after a 1 to 1.5-year maturation period.
Emphasizing the impact of the newly adopted State Program, Mirzəyev expressed gratitude for the active oversight and recommendations provided by relevant government bodies visiting the enterprise. He also highlighted the unique geographical positioning of the farm—situated right between the ancient archaeological complexes of Oglangala and Diza—which opens up strong potential for combining aquaculture development with regional agro-tourism in the future.
