The Assessment of the Feasibility of Using Degraded Lands as a Resource in the Production of Environmentally Friendly Food for Vulnerable Populations

Abstract

The article presents the assessment of the feasibility of using degraded lands as a resource in the production of environmentally friendly food. The problem of degradationexposed lands is addressed; the macro and micro social factors impacting the decision-making process in soil protection are identified; a comprehensive model for natural factor recovery in production by introducting organic agriculture technlogy for manufacturing environmentally friendly products. Research methods used in the article: balance sheet method for agriculture, food production and consumption; written and oral survey. We polled leadership, directors, farmers, businessmen, agrotechnologists, managers, production managers, field foremen, farm and agriculture machinery operator. The survey had questions on the real-life business life and measures taken; respondents’ opinion on the feasibility of using certain methods and technologies, respondents’ awareness of the problem and economic motivation as a result of using methods and technologies, and the social elements of the survey. The survey demonstrated the real situation in the area of land use, knowledge and respondents understanding the technologies they use and how they should be used. The social aspect of the survey helped to measure the competencies that are necessary to solve problems associated with the employed technological methods for protecting the soil system.So, there is a need for lands where environmentally friendly production can be established with low processing intensity without pesticides and with a limited amount of fertilizers. Such an approach has become feasible from the economy point of view for Russia and other countries after they have become members of the WTO.