The Village Is Becoming an Innovation Platform
The National Priorities autonomous non-profit organization presented an expert analytical report, "Agriculture as a Guarantee of Sovereignty and a Strategic Resource for the Country's Technological Leadership: Challenges and Solutions." The document states that the Russian agricultural sector, having made the leap from import dependence to global leadership, has entered a new phase of development, transforming into an integration hub for the entire economy.
Over the past two decades, Russia has become the world's largest wheat exporter (market share of ~20%) and one of the top three grain producers. In 2024, the country ranked second in the world for turkey meat production (438,000 tons) and third for pork. Agricultural exports exceeded $45 billion.
The industry's success is the result of deliberate government policy, consistently implemented since 2006 as part of the national project "Development of the Agro-Industrial Complex" and long-term state programs. Further development, including support for small businesses, technological modernization, and access to foreign markets, is supported by measures under the national projects "Technological Support for Food Security," "Efficient and Competitive Economy," "International Cooperation and Export," as well as industry-specific projects in the field of unmanned aerial systems and automation ("Unmanned Aircraft Systems" and "Production and Automation Equipment").
Experts note that the agro-industrial complex is no longer solely a food producer, becoming a driver of development for related sectors of the economy.
"The successful development of the agro-industrial complex creates demand and becomes a testing ground for the implementation of innovative technologies in domestic mechanical engineering, robotics, biopharmaceuticals, genetics, and the IT sector," the report notes.
All this creates a synergistic effect: the agricultural sector receives modern solutions, while high-tech companies receive a powerful incentive to grow and implement their developments.
To fully realize this potential, there is a number of challenges. Increasing self-sufficiency in seeds remains an important goal, with the share of domestically bred seeds in total use in Russia reaching 62.5% by early 2025. According to the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, the industry's annual need for new personnel is approximately 160,000 people.
At the same time, the digital divide between large holdings and small farms requires attention: according to expert estimates, up to 90% of large companies use advanced technologies, compared to approximately 40% of small farms.
The report's authors propose a model of deep cooperation as a systemic solution. Promising tools include agrobiotechnoparks being created within the framework of the national project "Technological Support for Food Security," as well as individual projects in the fields of breeding and genetics.
Actively stimulating demand for domestic digital solutions and technology should provide additional incentives. According to expert estimates, the implementation of AI-based technologies can already yield savings of 200 to 3,000 rubles per hectare, with the total annual potential for the industry estimated at $6 billion.
"The agricultural sector is no longer solely a consumer of technology, becoming a testing ground for the development of innovations from related industries. This is a mutually beneficial partnership where the agricultural sector receives modern solutions, while IT and biotech companies receive a powerful stimulus for growth," the report's authors note.
The target development model presented in the study is a transition from a raw materials exporter to an agritech superpower, not only supplying food to the global market but also becoming a center of excellence and an exporter of technologies and standards for new, regenerative agriculture.