/By AzerNews/

By Nigar Orujova

The quality of fruits and vegetables grown in Azerbaijan will be further tested before entering the market in the country, according to Yagub Ibrahimov, the head of the laboratory of toxicology at the State Phytosanitary Supervision Service under the Agriculture Ministry.

He said toxicological laboratories in eight regions are under construction, with three of them ready. The laboratories will operate in the near future.

"Today the quality of agricultural products can be checked using a mobile laboratory. However, zonal laboratories will be more effective,” the head of the laboratory said.

The main aim is to take crop yields, check them on site, and then sent to the market. “This is the best way to verify the quality,” he stressed.

Agriculture is one of the largest economic sectors in Azerbaijan. It has great potential and attracts both local and foreign entrepreneurs.

High quality Azerbaijani products have been in demand in neighboring countries for quite some time; however, Azerbaijan did not previously have the capacity to export these products in large quantities.

Foreign countries are now showing an increasing interest in the agricultural products of Azerbaijan, which has focused its efforts on developing the sector, declaring 2015 as the Year of Agriculture.

Azerbaijani produce has become attractive to Russia after western sanctions over the Ukraine crisis in late 2014. Through Russia, Azerbaijan can enter Eastern Europe's markets.

At present, Azerbaijan plans to create national agricultural centers in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other regions of Russia.