Ulyanovsk State Technical University (USTU)

Abstract

Subject. A considerable amount of agricultural innovation pursues to create sustainable production systems, including land and water resource management, the development of agri-environmental approaches to using ecological and biological processes to reduce the consumption of non-renewable resources. Despite the apparent importance of the issue, the national agriculture still scarcely uses innovation. Objectives. We investigate the enhancement of the sustainable development in agriculture through innovation. Methods. The study relies upon proceedings of foreign and Russian scholars on theoretical and practical aspects of the sustainable development in agriculture, official statistical data and documents of governmental and special-purpose programs for agricultural development in the Russian Federation. The study is methodologically based on the systems approach. Results. Agriculture is found to be in transit to the sixth wave of innovation, with its core comprising NBICS-technologies and synthesizing nano-, bio- and computer technologies, genetic engineering and cognitive ties. Biological innovation and land cultivation innovation are the most popular and sought-for, since they ensure the prolonged economic effect. We determine factors impeding the innovative development in agriculture. Computer systems and public-private partnership are supposed to be the main tools for activating innovation. Conclusions and Relevance. I conclude that, despite some disputable aspects of some innovative solutions in agriculture, sustainable development in agriculture is undeniably impossible without such innovative solutions. Rising controversies can only be resolved through further and more profound research. The State should assist in the emergence of the effective innovative environment, which would allow all agricultural market actors to actively implement innovation.