Complex agricultural zoning of the territory for assessing the land and resource potential and for production planning

Abstract

In accordance with Russian laws, agricultural land has priority in use and should be protected. However, arable land varies in quality, even within the same land plot. Applying the method of complex agricultural zoning of the territory of agricultural organizations, the land and resource potential is assessed with the subsequent allocation of specialized zones that allow for determining the value of this potential. Methodological recommendations presented in this article will allow agricultural producers to organize effective agricultural production aimed at sustainable land use development. It is proposed to plan the scale and level of intensification of the use of arable land according to the average annual indicators (with average weather and current economic conditions over 10 years) of spring wheat production. The paper presents possible scenarios for the development of situations for planning production: with an increase and decrease in yield by 20%, with an increase and decrease in the cost of products by 20%, with an increase in production costs by 10%. After the calculations were completed, each plot of the agricultural organization was assigned to groups according to the efficiency of arable land use: constantly ineffective land (under any conditions); constantly efficient land under any changes in natural and economic conditions; precariously efficient lands. The research substantiates the need to take into account the conditions of land use by means of comprehensive agricultural zoning of the territory to ensure the adoption of effective management decisions on the available arable land. At the same time, improving the quality of land and creating proper conditions for its use is one of the mechanisms for increasing the efficiency of crop production.