As part of the International Potato Tour, the POTATOES NEWS team visited the village of Duygali in the Shamkir district of Azerbaijan — one of the country’s key potato-producing regions. Here we met Zaman Mammadov, a man whose entire life has been connected with potatoes and who continues to develop this sector together with local farmers.
“Welcome to the potato region”
“First of all, welcome to Azerbaijan. You are now in the village of Duygali, Shamkir district. Nearby are Tovuz and Gadabay districts — and this whole region is very strong in potato production.”
Zaman immediately sets the tone of the conversation: here, potatoes are not just a crop, but a way of life.
“Almost everyone here is involved in potatoes. It’s a tradition. You will see and be surprised at how масштабно (large-scale) it is.”
Potatoes as the “second bread” and a source of life
The history of potato farming in the region goes back decades.
“I remember this from childhood. We had six соток (0.06 hectares) — we planted potatoes, loaded them into trucks, and took them to the market. That was in the 60s–70s. Even then, potatoes were the main source of income.”
Zaman highlights an important point:
“After the harvest, people built houses, held weddings, supported their families. Potatoes fed us.”
Today, the situation remains the same — only the technology has changed.
“People are not just continuing — they are developing. Small farmers cultivate 10–20 hectares and achieve good results.”
Two, sometimes three harvests per year
A key feature of the region is the possibility of multiple potato crops per year.
“We plant twice a year: February–March and then again in summer. And if you include greenhouses — it can even be three cycles.”
This creates a strong competitive advantage:
“There are regions that start one or two months earlier. But we also have very good conditions — water, soil, climate.”
Government support: loans and subsidies
One of the key factors in the sector’s development is government support.
“We receive loans at 5%. For storage construction, up to 40% is subsidized. The rest is interest-free installment payments.”
This allows farmers to invest in infrastructure:
“We build cold storage facilities and expand our farms. This is serious support.”
Storage: from 35°C to 4°C
Zaman explains potato storage technology in detail:
“After harvest, we let the potatoes ‘rest’ for 2–3 days. Then we gradually reduce the temperature from 35°C to 8°C over 5–10 days.”
Then comes the main stage:
“We store at 4–5°C for up to 6–8 months. It depends on strategy: either keep until planting or sell in autumn.”
Storage methods include:
- in mesh bags
- in big bags (big-bags)
- with active ventilation
“The key is proper ventilation. That is the basis of quality.”
Yield: up to 70 tons per hectare
The region demonstrates high productivity:
“On average 40–50 tons per hectare. Good agronomists achieve 60–70 tons.”
Popular varieties:
- Arizona — high yield
- Queen Anne — best quality and price
- Sevim — a new promising variety
“Queen Anne yields less but sells at a higher price.”
Water — the key advantage
One of the main competitive advantages of the region is access to water:
“We have artesian wells. Up to 100 tons of water per hour. And it is practically free.”
“Annual costs are around $500. That’s almost nothing.”
Markets: Russia and beyond
The main export market is Russia:
“In April–May, Russia actively buys early potatoes.”
But the market is flexible:
“We also supply the domestic market. Sometimes there are imports from Russia and Iran. It all depends on price.”
Potatoes as a way of life
Zaman returns to the most important element — people:
“Farmers work almost around the clock. During the season, they may sleep only a few hours. It is hard work.”
But this creates respect:
“This money is halal. It is earned honestly.”
International attention to the region
Interest in the region is growing:
“Turkish specialists, German companies, seed projects come here. There is a German-Azerbaijani company developing seed production.”
“Seeds are already brought from the Netherlands and Colombia. They are grown here — and the results are good.”
The future belongs to technology and people
Zaman concludes:
“The most important thing is that people have something to do. They know this crop from childhood, they know how to work, and they earn a living.”
“Potatoes are the second bread. And here, this is not just words.”
📍 This material was prepared as part of the
International Potato Tour
for the POTATOES NEWS community
