Evaluating the Need for Precision Farming Technologies in the Agricultural Sector

The paper highlights that in the context of intensifying climate change across various regions of the Russian Federation, marked by more frequent droughts, irregular precipitation, and rising temperatures, precision agriculture technologies are becoming a essential for enhancing the resilience of agricultural production. One of such technologies is fertigation, which combines irrigation with the application of fertilizers. (Research purpose) The study aims to assess the demand for fertigation technologies in the Russian agricultural sector and to analyze trends and regional characteristics of their adoption. (Materials and methods) The research draws on data from Rosstat and Roshydromet to evaluate the relationship between crop production indicators and both climatic and production conditions in the Southern, North Caucasian, and Volga Federal Districts. Trends in fertigation development in Russia were examined through patents reviews, expert evaluations, industry reports, and information from equipment manufacturers. (Results and discussion) Correlation analysis revealed a relationship between the yields of major crops and the volumes of mineral and organic fertilizers applied. However, fertilizer use efficiency varies significantly across regions due to differing local conditions. These findings were analyzed alongside the dynamics of climate risks prevalent in the selected regions. The increasing impact of adverse climatic factors in crop-specialized areas highlights the growing potential of fertigation. An analysis of the domestic fertigation technology market indicates that Russian-developed solutions are still insufficient to meet import substitution goals. A review of Russian and international patent databases also confirms a global trend toward the digitalization and automation of fertigation processes. (Conclusions) As a key component of precision agriculture, fertigation is crucial for promoting climate-resilient farming practices amid increasing aridity. Regional analysis confirms that crop yields depend on fertilizer input, while fertilizer use efficiency is influenced by both climatic and agronomic factors. To reduce import dependence and enable the development of smart fertigation systems, targeted government support is required, particularly in research and development, and in localizing technologies suited to the specific conditions of Russian agricultural regions.

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