MAKHACHKALA, March 5 – RIA "Dagestan". Shamil Ramazanov, head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of Dagestan, has outlined development prospects for horticulture and crop production in the republic's mountainous zones. The region—comprising 30 districts—accounts for over 4,500 hectares of orchards, representing approximately 60% of Dagestan's total orchard area. Of this figure, 660 hectares are classified as intensive-type plantings.
Suleyman-Stalsky municipal district occupies a notable position in regional production, with 4,100 hectares of orchards planted, including 590 hectares of intensive type. The district is also home to LLC "Polosa" which operates what is reported to be the country's largest hazelnut orchard, covering more than 2,700 hectares.
To address water supply challenges in mountainous and foothill areas, the Ministry developed an action plan for mountain-valley horticulture development, following instructions from Prime Minister Abdulmuslim Abdulmuslimov. Under the plan, the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Department 'Dagmeliorovodkhoz'" will cover electricity costs for pumping stations and fund repairs to select facilities.
Over the past two years, these measures have supported the planting of 27 hectares of mountain-valley orchards across three districts—Rutulsky, Botlikhsky and Gumbetovsky—with 18 hectares established in Botlikhsky district alone.
Federal State Budgetary Institution "Department of Land Reclamation and Agricultural Water Supply across the Republic of Dagestan" (Dagmeliorovodkhoz).