In accordance with the events that will be conducted as part of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP29), on September 29, 2024, a conference was held at the SAVALAN winery on the topic “Threats and Risks for Viticulture and Winemaking in the Context of Global Climate Change: Vineyard Cultivation Technologies in Drought Conditions and Efficient Use of Genetic Resources.”
The conference featured speeches by the director of SAVALAN-ASPI Winery Ajdar Shafizada, the director of the Scientific Research Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences Vugar Salimov, and the chief agronomist of ASPI-AGRO LLC, Oktay Azizov.
In his speech, Vugar Salimov emphasized that global climate change has also impacted the agricultural sector, including the processing industry. He highlighted that as a result of climate changes, air temperatures are continually rising, leading to disasters, floods, droughts, and sometimes torrential rains, as well as forest fires and environmental pollution from carbon emissions and pesticides, which pose significant challenges for producers in the fields of viticulture and winemaking. He also mentioned the disproportionality and sharp decrease in precipitation, which presents a dangerous risk factor for agriculture, including significant crops. According to research, the impact of drought stress has risen to 26% in recent years. He also noted that in years with severe drought, crop losses can reach up to 50%.
Ajdar Shafizada, the director of SAVALAN – ASPI Winery provided detailed information about the mutual cooperation between the institute and the enterprise, as well as future plans.
Oktay Azizov, the chief agronomist of ASPI-AGRO LLC, discussed the characteristics of introduced grape varieties, their cultivation in local climate and soil conditions, as well as modern agronomic practices applied in the enterprise’s vineyards.
During the event, staff members of the Scientific Research Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking presented on the topic of “Identifying Ecological Risk Factors for Viticulture and Winemaking in the Context of Global Climate Change and Developing Preventive Measures.”
As part of the event, specialists conducted an inspection of wild grapevines growing on the territory of the SAVALAN winery, along riverbanks and in forest areas.
The specialists deemed it appropriate to collect the wild samples found in these forests for propagation and molecular-genetic research at the Scientific Research Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking. At the end of the conference, a decision was made to develop an Action Plan for researching the threats and risks to viticulture and winemaking in the context of global climate change under mutual cooperation between SAVALAN-ASPI Winery and the Scientific Research Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Conference participants expressed their satisfaction with the event and recommended holding such events regularly.