Research of resource and energy saving technologies for the development of the agricultural sector of Azerbaijan

The purpose of the study is to analyze the possibility of reducing the cost of energy resources in the agricultural sector by applying the experience of introducing alternative types of energy both in lowland and mountainous of Azerbaijan. In Azerbaijan, farmers began to study and analyze various ways to improve energy efficiency in the agricultural sector: nutrient management, which includes planting native vegetation; the timing of fertilization; liming; applying manure immediately after fertilizing; the use of compost or slurry, obtained, for example, from anaerobic digestion of manure, all of which reduces tillage, is a well-known and effective measure to reduce energy consumption in arable systems. Corresponding benefits usually include lower costs for the farmer and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Possible resource substitution options include: changes in irrigation; transition from traditional tillage to reduced or no tillage; reduction of fertilizer application rates; improving nutrient management practices that reduce nutrient loss; reducing the intensity of plant protection and the level of mechanization; early decommissioning of inefficient machines; switching to crops that use less fertilizers and other energy resources; growing grass as part of a crop rotation or as cover and catch crops; production of biogas on farms from plant residues and manure; livestock management alternatives related to feeding, housing and manure management. To increase soil fertility and preserve it, it is necessary to introduce advanced technologies for land cultivation and harvesting in accordance with the zonal characteristics of the republic. It was revealed that the main tools for the development of sustainable agriculture are both political and agrarian reforms, income diversification, land conservation and more rational use of resources.