Innovative Digital Platform Set to Revolutionize Russian Agriculture
The State University of Management (SUM), in collaboration with the Omsk Agrarian Scientific Center (Omsk ASC) and Udmurt State University (UdSU), is launching a groundbreaking initiative known as "Digital Village." This electronic platform aims to streamline the creation and management of agricultural enterprises across Russia. By providing an integrated information base and expert support, the platform promises to enhance operational efficiency for farmers.
One of the key features of the Digital Village is its ability to facilitate the organization of farms and the management of modern unmanned equipment. Reports generated by the system will be automatically sent to the Ministry of Agriculture, creating a comprehensive database of objective data while alleviating the administrative burden on farmers. This innovative approach aligns with the principles of precision farming, where technologies like drones are employed to assess crop conditions—such as scanning apple trees to collect only ripe fruits, thereby increasing productivity.
The overarching vision for the Digital Village is to establish a vast digital ecosystem for the entire agricultural sector in Russia. According to Denis Serdechny, an associate professor at SUM, the platform will function similarly to the government services portal, allowing users to select their roles—be it farmer, investor, or state monitor—thus enhancing the evaluation of budget fund efficiency.
The necessary equipment for this initiative has already been procured and is stationed at SUM, while Udmurt State University will contribute technologies for recycling and a closed production cycle. Omsk ASC will serve as a testing ground for these advanced technologies, with a test launch planned for this year.
Experts, including Professor Alexander Safonov from the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, have highlighted the ongoing personnel crisis in agriculture. As rural populations decline and wages remain low compared to urban sectors, automation and mechanization emerge as viable solutions to address labor shortages. However, Safonov cautioned that the high costs associated with these technologies pose a significant barrier for many agricultural enterprises. If the challenge of reducing technology costs can be addressed, the benefits of these innovations could be widespread, transforming the agricultural landscape in Russia.
