Unleashing the Power of Digital on Farms in Russia – and Seeking Opportunities for Small Farms
Analysis of the digital agriculture tools, technologies and services currently in use by small- and medium-sized farmers, and other potential resources
Description
The “Unleashing the Power of Digital on Farms in Russia – and Seeking Opportunities for Small Farms” report has brought together information from various sources, including reports, websites and interviews with companies, experts, farmers and developers, identifying the most common and useful technologies in global agriculture for adoption in the Russian agricultural context. The collected information provides an overview of the current situation and presents options for the enhancement of agriculture in the Russian Federation, identifying the technologies and tools currently in use by small- and medium-sized farmers, and those with potential that have yet to be adopted.
Technology
- E-commerce/online marketplace
- E-payment
- Website
- GPS
- Remote sensing
- Mobile app
- Desktop/web-based application
- GIS
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
- Blockchain
- Cloud
- Big data
- Internet of things (IoT)
- Robotics
- Drone
- Sensor
The Unleashing the Power of Digital on Farms in Russia – and Seeking Opportunities for Small Farms report groups the analysed digital tools into two categories: those for the dissemination of agricultural knowledge and information systems, and those supporting increased access to agricultural market opportunities. The first category includes tools for the collection and management of information from farms and agribusinesses, including satellite data about crop coverage, plant health, soil and weather conditions, and yield estimations; drone images for the identification and monitoring of crop diseases, soil moisture and property usage; and, on-the-ground IoT sensors for the assessment of water usage, soil moisture, field (or greenhouse) temperature data and other production variables. Practical examples include ExactFarming – a cloud-based farm data management platform that monitors pesticide usage, farm vehicle operations, vegetation status, etc.; AgroDroneGroup and GeoScan, which make use of drones for aerial surveys; and Roboprob, an automated robotic soil sampling platform that minimizes the risk of human error. The second category includes tools that link market participants and facilitate digital transactions, such as IoT tools and services providing real-time information to farmers and other stakeholders, as well as Blockchain and eVoucher tools and programmes that reduce transaction costs and enhance the accountability of transactions. Practical examples include TakeWing – a blockchain backend technology that makes use of cryptocurrencies; Kolionovo Farm, in which smart contracts that make use of blockchain enhance business efficiency and reliability; Hello Tractor, through which tractor services are offered through a mobile platform as part of the sharing economy, increasing farm productivity through tractor rental; and Tarfin, providing financing to small farms in collaboration with input suppliers, and offering point-of-sale financing through an online platform
Target
- Public sector
- Private sector
- Academia and research institutions
The report concludes that further analyses are needed, for which academia and research institutions can be requested to provide support and can then make use of the report findings in further studies. Both the private and public sectors are mentioned explicitly in the report, with suggestions that most digital progress may be driven by the private sector, while the public sector can play a key role in the national dissemination of technologies. In conclusion, public-private partnerships are essential to the creation of a sustainable business model that facilitates the dissemination of digital technologies across the entire agricultural sector
Impact
The report offers insights into how digital tools can enhance farming practices, particularly in the Russian Federation. While multiple stakeholders can benefit from the report, its focus is on smallholder farmers, aiming to narrow the gap between them and the rest of the sector and prevent their exclusion from the benefits of the development of the sector.
Partners
Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation; the Internet Initiatives Development Fund; Russian Association of Internet of Things
