How do the Upper Karabakh Canal and Upper Shirvan Canal support agriculture?

The Upper Karabakh and Upper Shirvan canals are essential components of the irrigation network in the Republic of Azerbaijan, specifically within the Kura-Aras Lowland. These canals support agriculture by enabling the cultivation of fertile lands that would otherwise be difficult to farm due to the region's climate and drainage patterns.1

• Upper Karabakh Canal: Spanning 107 miles (172 km), this canal creates a vital link between the Aras River and the Mingəçevir Reservoir. It provides irrigation for more than 250,000 acres (100,000 hectares) of fertile land and serves the additional function of supplying the Aras River with water during dry summer periods.1
• Upper Shirvan Canal: Measuring 76 miles (122 km) in length, this canal is the second most important in the region and also provides irrigation for approximately 250,000 acres (100,000 hectares) of land.1

It is important to note that these irrigation systems are located in the independent Republic of Azerbaijan, not the Iranian region of Azerbaijan, which generally receives sufficient rainfall to permit farming without extensive irrigation.12