Welcoming YPARD Azerbaijan country representative: Parviz Yusifov

We are delighted to welcome the new YPARD Azerbaijan country representative Parviz Yusifov.

Parviz received his high school education in Lekchiplaq village, in Goycay. As a newly independent state, the strategy of Azerbaijan was to develop the oil and gas sector to receive fast revenues, but it resulted in disregard towards agriculture and the environment. It was the driving factor for Parviz to pursue higher education in environmental and agricultural studies. He studied BA in “Environmental Protection and Efficient Use of Natural Resources” at Ganja State University and pursued an MA in Environmental Engineering at Azerbaijan State Agrarian University in Ganja. 

Whilst continuing his MA, he was awarded a scholarship from the Hungarian Republic and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to study the second MA in Agricultural Engineering in Georgikon Faculty at Pannonia University in Keszthely, Hungary. Therefore, Parviz took two “leave years” from his first MA to study abroad, which earned him new skills and knowledge. In 2011, Parviz spent one semester as an Erasmus student to study “Sustainable Development” at Malardelen University in Vasteras, Sweden. In 2012 he successfully completed his MA in Hungary, whereas upon return to Azerbaijan he graduated from his preceding MA in Environmental Engineering in 2013. Hence, he has accomplished two Master’s Degrees. 

Parviz started his professional career with “Az-Granata” LLC in 2012 when he returned to Azerbaijan from his studies abroad. In 2012, despite a high level of oil revenues, not enough attention was being paid to agriculture due to structural and institutional problems countrywide. Parviz’s interest in agriculture sector allowed him to start working as Agricultural Engineer in one of the biggest agricultural projects at the time to assist with the adaptation of agriculture that had received almost no care for twenty years. In addition, the agriculture sector was far from modern agricultural technology, best practices, and know-how. 

The lack of stability in oil and gas prices in the world market has led Azerbaijan, as other countries whose economy is based on the oil sector, to focus more attention on agriculture in 2015 for the development of the non-oil sector. Thus, currently, many agricultural projects are being implemented in Azerbaijan. At the moment, Parviz is the Head of the Garden Operation Department at one of the largest horticulture projects in Azerbaijan. His main focus area is the study of agricultural innovations in the world, the analysis of compliance with local conditions, assisting local experts in familiarizing themselves with innovations and application in the field. 

The interest in getting acquainted with the innovations in the field of agriculture and the study of experiences of young agricultural experts in various parts of the world has inspired him to join YPARD in 2012. “After many years of negligence towards the agriculture sector, the government and private companies’ refocus on this area and opening of new jobs have shortly revealed the shortage of qualified specialists in the agriculture sector. I believe that YPARD's international experience will play an indispensable role in the development of young professionals in Azerbaijan”. states Parviz Yusifov.

Welcome on board Parviz Yusifov.

If you are from or based in Azerbaijan and would like to become involved in the YPARD Azerbaijan activities, please contact Parviz Yusifov via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Picture credit: Parviz Yusifov