A/HRC/43/44/Add.1 29. All development strategy plans should adopt a human rights-based approach, which ensures that priority will be given to the needs of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. At the same time, they should promote sustainable inclusive growth that does not compromise environmental protection in favour of economic growth and whose benefits should be distributed equitably to all. 30. Despite the adoption of different laws, programmes and strategies, as indicated earlier Azerbaijan lacks a comprehensive legal framework on the right to adequate food that incorporates a human rights-based approach to food security. The Special Rapporteur firmly believes that the framework law should integrate all relevant sectors, such as the environment, trade, nutrition, health, education, the empowerment of women and the protection of smallholder farmers, while providing an effective monitoring mechanism and promoting food sovereignty for all. 31. In addition, the lack of implementation of existing laws was repeatedly brought to the attention of the Special Rapporteur. The Government should allocate adequate resources and enhance inter- and intraministerial coordination, with the participation of the populations concerned, for the enforcement of the legal framework. IV. Overview of the agriculture sector A. Context 32. According to the State Statistical Committee, Azerbaijan has 4.8 million hectares of agricultural land comprising over 55.2 per cent of its total territory, of which 43 per cent is arable. Crop production accounts for around 45.9 per cent of agricultural production with livestock farming making up the remaining 54.1 per cent.14 33. About 47 per cent of Azerbaijanis live in rural areas and approximately 39 per cent of jobs are in farming and agroprocessing. Although farming provides only about 6 per cent of GDP, agriculture is a major contributor to the non-oil economy and has the potential to stimulate growth, job creation and food security. 34. The main crops include wheat, barley, corn, fruit, potatoes, cotton, tea, silk and tobacco. The country also produces other potentially valuable crops, including grapes, tomatoes, apples, oranges, persimmons, hazelnuts and walnuts. Livestock and dairy products are also important farm products and have recently been vigorously supported by the Government. 35. Although food availability is not an issue, environmental issues and climate change, combined with intensive agriculture, may have an adverse impact on productivity. Deficiencies in the accessibility of nutritious and adequate food are a problem in some sectors of society, especially among subsistence farmers and vulnerable groups, such as internally displaced persons and people living in remote rural areas. In October 2018, Azerbaijan ranked fifty-sixth out of 113 countries in the global food security index (a measure that considers the core issues of affordability, availability and quality). 15 The Special Rapporteur heard directly from rural communities, people earning the minimum wage and internally displaced persons about the difficulties they faced in accessing adequate food. 36. The Government has the responsibility to regulate and control business activities to protect its citizens from harmful effects. The Special Rapporteur therefore reiterates that a complaints mechanism should be established. An effective consumer protection system would be a good starting point. Furthermore, the Government should protect smallholder 14 15 Information provided by the Ministry of Agriculture from the State Statistical Committee, available from www.stat.gov.az/source/agriculture/?lang=en. See FAO, The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World: Safeguarding Against Economic Slowdowns and Downturns (2019). 7