Cotton production, once considering a key culture for the rural areas of Azerbaijan, is now on the path of a revival following a gradual decline during several past years. In the ’70 and ’80s, cotton production was of crucial importance for the national economy accounting for approximately 25 per cent of agricultural revenue. Then, Azerbaijan harvested a million tons of cotton per year. Now, the country is struggling to be listed among global cotton growers. This year is expected to be a period of development of cotton growing in Azerbaijan as the government is keen to support cotton production to give a new life to this industry. As of October 17, the country produced 38,890 tons of cotton that was 1.7 times more than the same period last year. This year cotton was sown in 52,060 hectares and this was 2.8 times more than last year's crop area.

The largest volume of cotton was harvested in Saatli region. Moreover, cotton-growing is developing in the south western region Salyan this year.Experts claim that the sector brings great incomes both to people and the state. Development of cotton growing, along with the solution of economic issues, is also a social issue, says President Ilham Aliyev,. About 70,000 people will work on cotton fields of 24 regions this year. This would mean an increase in employment. He also added that next year, cotton production will lead to the creation of more than 100,000 jobs.