Trends and Problems of the Development of the Russian Farming Sector According to the Agricultural Micro-Census of 2021

Abstract

The priority task of modern agrarian policy is to stimulate small business in agriculture, and above all its central link – peasant (farm) farms. This requires a comprehensive analysis of the patterns and problems of their development. The article, based on the results of the Agricultural Micro-Census of 2021 published in December 2022, in comparison with the results of the AllRussian Agricultural Census of 2016, characterizes the farming sector, identifies trends and problems of its development for 2016-2021. The main conclusion is that despite the reduction in the number of farms and farmers’ access to budget subsidies, the areas of agricultural land used by them, acreage of high margin crops and cattle are increasing. There are significant differences in the development of farms in the subjects of the Russian Federation. Based on the analysis, the following measures are proposed to stimulate farms: ensuring wider access of farmers to budgetary and credit resources; strengthening the role of the federal center in state support and regulation of farms in order to equalize regional differences and form a single economic space in the agro-industrial complex; more careful consideration of farmers’ interests in conducting land policy; formation of an effective system marketing of farm products.