Using the Republic of Buryatia as a case study, this article analyzes current challenges in the development of the agro-industrial complex and rural areas. Acute social and personnel problems in the development of agriculture and rural territories are linked to a decline in the rural population due to natural decrease and the outmigration of young, active residents. Constraints of a natural-environmental, economic, and infrastructural nature also exist. The study employs institutional and statistical methods. The information base includes government reports, documents, and materials of the Republic of Buryatia available in the public domain, as well as the authors' own research findings. The article presents the experience of the Republic of Buryatia in diversifying the rural economy through the development of rural tourism, considering changes in the regulatory framework and the impact of federal and regional state support measures. Additional sources for diversifying the rural economy and increasing employment in rural areas are examined, specifically through the implementation of the "Far Eastern Hectare" program. The studied experience of the Republic confirms the diversification focus of its regional policy for developing the rural economy, supporting farming, and alternative forms of employment and self-employment. However, it is concluded that under conditions of prioritized resource concentration to improve the living environment in key (anchor) settlements at the regional level, a differentiated approach is necessary to stimulate the diversification of the rural economy through the non-agricultural sector in rural territories not included in the list of key settlements. The research contributes to the literature by analyzing the potential and additional tools for diversifying the rural economy and increasing rural employment. This contributes to the generalization of experience and critical understanding of current trends in the sustainable development of rural territories.
The Far Eastern Federal District (Far Eastern Federal District), despite being given the status of a priority geostrategic territory and the implementation of a number of targeted programs, continues to lose its main wealth – human capital, without which any strategic and tactical tasks of territorial development cannot be solved. Just as it is difficult to retain and attract people to the region without improving the standard and quality of life. One of the most important factors of the standard of living is the availability of food. The article examines the parameters of economic accessibility of basic foodstuffs for the population of the Far Eastern Federal District regions. The indicators are considered for 2022-2024 in comparison with the average Russian data. The assessment is based on the following indicators: the rational consumption index, the cost of a conditional (minimum) set of food, the ratio of the median per capita income to the cost of the minimum set of food. The study is an attempt to develop a methodological approach to the differentiated analysis of food availability parameters and is aimed at conducting further research. To ensure a differentiated assessment, a grouping of the regions of the Far Eastern Federal District by the volume of the per capita gross regional product has been proposed and tested. All regions are divided into three groups: the first – regions with an average per capita GRP of up to 700 thousand rubles; the second – from 701 to 1000 thousand rubles; the third – over 1001 thousand rubles. The subsequent assessment and analysis of food availability parameters were carried out in the context of these groups. The regions of the first group have a lower ratio of median per capita income to the cost of a minimum set of food products, as well as lower values of the rational consumption index, compared with the other two groups of regions and the national average. The second and third groups of regions are characterized by a high level of economic availability of food. A differentiated analysis and the formation of an appropriate information base will allow authorities in the regions to develop more targeted and rational measures to increase the availability of food for all population groups.
A study of regional food markets in the Central Black Earth Economic Region (CER) was conducted as a key element of the regional socioeconomic development mechanism. The analysis of food markets in the CER regions revealed consistent results and an upward trend in agricultural performance. A method for calculating specific indicators (per capita agricultural output and per capita food production) was applied to the socioeconomic analysis of food markets in the CER regions. Positive dynamics in the production of agricultural raw materials and food products in the studied constituent entities of the Russian Federation from 2019 to 2024 were identified. Crop and livestock enterprises maintained sustainable profitability. The need to develop strategic priorities was identified, which could be linked to strengthening agro-industrial potential, increasing competitiveness, advanced processing of raw materials, developing infrastructure, and implementing innovations. An iterative design methodology was applied to formulate strategic development priorities, forecast scenarios, and a comprehensive development model for regional food markets in the CER. The following have been identified as development guidelines for the sector: the creation of a modern industry for the production of organic food products, expansion of food exports, ensuring the environmental safety of food and processing industry enterprises, and improving scientific and technical support for the food and processing industry.
This article is devoted to developing and implementing an integrated macroeconomic model aimed at analyzing the impact of climate change on crop production diversification in the Krasnodar region. The study's relevance stems from global climate shifts that create both unique opportunities for expanding the range of cultivated crops and significant threats due to frequent extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and temperature fluctuations. The objective of this research is to develop a scientifically grounded methodology for assessing economic consequences of climatic changes and creating tools for decision-making in response to emerging challenges. Methodologically, the study relies on modern macroeconomic approaches including dynamic stochastic general equilibrium models (DSGE), input-output analysis (I-O), structural vector autoregressions (SVAR), and multifactor econometric models. Special attention is given to processing real-world climate and economic data provided by the Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring (Rosgidromet) and the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat). These macroeconomic instruments allow constructing realistic scenarios for regional economic development, calculating sensitivity indices for specific industries exposed to climate factors, and proposing effective adaptation measures and optimization strategies for agricultural production structure. The paper aims to formulate an efficient adaptive management strategy for agriculture ensuring sustainable economic growth and enhanced food security in the Krasnodar region under changing climatic conditions. The findings are highly relevant for governmental bodies, businesses, and academic circles interested in shaping strategic directions for the agrarian sector’s development over the next decades.
The article examines the impact of digitalization processes on the resilience and structural efficiency of Russia’s grain subcomplex in 2015–2024. It is shown that the introduction of digital platforms, monitoring technologies, and data analytics contributes to increased productivity and production efficiency, reduced losses in storage and logistics, and strengthened food security of the country. Digital solutions (precision farming systems, agro-information platforms, supply chain traceability tools, etc.) improve the grain sector’s resilience to climate and market risks by optimizing resource use and reducing costs. At the same time, institutional constraints to digital transformation were identified – insufficient funding and technological base, shortage of qualified personnel, fragmentation of information systems, etc., which slow down the widespread adoption of innovations in agriculture. Considering these barriers, directions for improving state policy in agricultural digitalization are proposed: expanding state support for implementing advanced technologies, developing data infrastructure, training personnel, and stimulating technological sovereignty. Implementing these measures will accelerate the digital transformation of the grain subcomplex, serving as an important factor in ensuring Russia’s long-term food security. Thus, digital transformation of the agricultural sector is not just a fad, but a strategic necessity for achieving economic development and food independence for the state. The results of the study can be used to ensure the management of the agro-industrial complex when adjusting agricultural digitalization programs, as well as by agricultural producers themselves when realizing the economic impact of technological development or other technologies. Subsequent research aims to develop a methodology for quantitatively assessing the contribution of digital technologies to food security and monitoring the effectiveness of government support measures implemented in the industry.
The article addresses a topical and practically significant issue of introducing robotic agricultural machinery in Russia in the context of the digital transformation of the agro-industrial sector. The paper presents a comprehensive analysis of international experience and the current state of the domestic agricultural robotics market, examining the technological, economic, and social aspects of the application of robotic systems. Particular value is given to the comparison of Russian conditions with global trends, as well as to the use of statistical data and forecast estimates of the development of the smart agriculture market. The study substantiates the key barriers to the adoption of agricultural robots, including the high capital intensity of technologies, the insufficient development of service infrastructure, and the shortage of qualified personnel. Special attention is paid to the need for comprehensive state support, standardisation, and specialist training to ensure a sustainable effect of robotisation. The material is presented in a logical and coherent manner; the conclusions are well-grounded and supported by analytical data. The paper demonstrates scientific novelty and practical relevance, can be recommended for publication, and is of interest to specialists in the fields of digitalisation of the agro-industrial complex, agroengineering, and innovation management.
In the course of the assessment of import dependence in the agro-industrial complex, it was concluded that the currently implemented import substitution model does not meet modern economic conditions; it is predominantly unsystematic, is implemented based on the principle of adaptation to the impact of external shocks (technological, political, market conditions) and is based on medium- and short-term industry programs. The following were identified as the main factors hindering the intensification of high-tech import substitution processes in the agro-industrial complex: insufficient effectiveness of government support measures for the agro-industrial complex; A shift in imports to the East, accompanied by persistent deindustrialization trends in the agro-industrial economy; inertia in the integration of small and medium-sized agribusinesses into national and international value chains, as well as poorly established interactions between the most competitive agro-industrial clusters; insufficient institutional support for import substitution processes across agro-industrial sectors, coupled with information asymmetry in individual markets. The theoretical import substitution models examined, the application of which in developing countries has proven highly effective, allow us to conclude that it is necessary to implement the Concept of Import-Substituting Industrialization in Russia within the framework of a mixed model, which should be based on: a technological benchmark for the development of agro-industrial enterprises, ensuring access to the best technologies applied within Industry 4.0; the development of international scientific, technical, and technological cooperation; structural changes in the system of reproductive relations; and the expansion of state support for agro-industrial enterprises. The provisions of the Concept presented in this article are developed and specified within the framework of the developed roadmap for import substitution in the Russian agro-industrial complex.
Technological leadership is currently considered a key factor determining the sustainable development of the agro-industrial complex (AIC). This article explores theoretical approaches to technological leadership and sustainable development in the context of agricultural production transformation, and presents critical and cross-cutting technologies in the AIC. The article analyzes the main barriers to technological modernization, the components of technological leadership in the AIC, and the opportunities and needs. Traditional models of AIC development face limitations associated with the inefficient use of resources, dependence on external factors, and insufficiently optimized mechanisms for adaptive tax burdens to achieve leadership in agricultural technologies. The impact of technological leadership in the AIC on increased productivity, reduced costs, and increased tax revenues is studied. The share of agricultural organizations applying tax incentives resulting in tax shortfalls of 7.0% is comparable to the share of innovative organizations for 2020-2024 (7.6%). Recommendations have been formulated to stimulate technological development to ensure sustainable technological leadership of the agro-industrial complex.
The article is devoted to methodological approaches to assessing the effectiveness of innovative projects in the agricultural sector of the country's economy. The need to develop and produce a wide range of innovative high-tech products for the domestic agro-industrial complex based on the implementation of the national project "Technological Support of Food Security" and the Federal Scientific and Technical Program for the Development of Agriculture for 2017-2030 (hereinafter referred to as the FSTP) is substantiated. Their implementation in business practice requires a methodical assessment of the effectiveness of investments in the modernization of agricultural production. The work notes that the assessment of the effectiveness of innovations is preceded by their in-depth systems analysis, which consists of a number of sequential stages. The feasibility of discounting cash flows in the implementation of investment projects is shown. The main principles of their economic evaluation are listed. Using the example of technical and technological modernization of agricultural production (replenishment and renewal of the machinery and tractor fleet), an assessment of the economic efficiency of investments is given based on the main indicators: net present value, internal rate of return, return on investment and discounted payback period of the project. The presented methodology is supplemented by methodological approaches to organizing rent, leasing, and determining the amount of lease payments, which is associated with the low solvency of domestic agricultural producers in the current economic environment. To accurately assess the effectiveness of investment projects, it is necessary to use risk accounting and analysis methods: sensitivity analysis, scenario analysis, simulation modeling, and others.
The article is devoted to the current issues of sustainable functioning of the regional food system. The goals, principles, indicators, and criteria of sustainable development of agro-industrial production based on improving the supply chains of the North-West's agro-industrial complex in the context of modern global challenges and risks are determined. The trends in the sustainability of the functioning of the agro-food systems of the North-West Federal District of the Russian Federation and its regions in relation to the average indicators of the Russian Federation are revealed. The key goals of sustainable development of food supply chains based on partnership, compliance with the equivalence of exchange, and the combination of self-regulation with state regulation have been identified. To assess sustainability, a system of indicators has been adopted that characterizes sustainability in two aspects: 1) the stability of the levels of dynamic series, i.e., the minimum variability based on the Spearman rank, and 2) the determination of the stability of changes (trends) in dynamics. The article proposes the basic principles of forming sustainable supply chains in the agro-industrial complex and describes their essence and content. The following indicators are used as criteria for assessing the sustainability of production growth in the regions of the Northwestern Federal District of the Russian Federation: 1) the level of self-sufficiency of the region in food, 2) the volume of agricultural GRP in different types of supply chains (short, medium, and long), 3) the volume of investments in agriculture, 4) the net financial result of agricultural organizations, 5) the volume of agricultural GRP per capita, and 6) the real average monthly salary of agricultural workers. These indicators demonstrate the extent to which the current level of agricultural sector development ensures the sustainability of the region's and the entire North-Western Federal District's supply of agricultural products through local production. The proposed integration model of the agro-food system development, if implemented, will be an important factor in increasing the sustainability of the region's food supply.