FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF JOINT RESEARCH AND INNOVATION PROJECTS IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR OF THE BRICS COUNTRIES

Issue № 7, 2026, article № 3, pages 29-40

Section:

Language: Russian

Original language title: ФОРМИРОВАНИЕ И РАЗВИТИЕ СОВМЕСТНЫХ НАУЧНО-ИССЛЕДОВАТЕЛЬСКИХ И ИННОВАЦИОННЫХ ПРОЕКТОВ В АГРАРНОМ СЕКТОРЕ СТРАН БРИКС

Keywords: AGRICULTURAL POLICY, AGRICULTURAL SECTOR, BIOTECHNOLOGY, BRICS-10, GOVERNMENT SUPPORT, INVESTMENTS, INNOVATIONS, INSTITUTIONAL FACTOR, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INTERGOVERNMENTAL ASSOCIATION, R&, D (RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT), APPLIED INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICT), AGRICULTURE, JOINT PROJECTS, COOPERATION, TECHNICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT, PRECISION FARMING, DIGITALIZATION

Abstract: The relevance of this research is driven by the fact that cooperation among the BRICS-10 countries in the fields of research, development, and innovation projects constitutes a critical factor for ensuring the sustainable development of the agricultural sector amid current global challenges and the geopolitical stability of the intergovernmental union. The study substantiates the priority role of such collaboration within the frameworks of joint ownership and development models, as well as the formation of an integrated innovation ecosystem. An analysis of the level of technical and technological development among all BRICS-10 participants is presented, along with data on R&D funding in their respective economies. The study also assesses the personnel capacity (number of researchers per million inhabitants) in BRICS-10 countries in comparison with leading advanced nations. Additionally, the research includes ranking these countries according to the Global Innovation Index and determines the share of high-tech products in their export profiles relative to developed countries. Clustering of BRICS-10 nations based on the level of technical and technological development in the agricultural sector is performed. Examples of key joint projects in agricultural R&D and innovation are provided, alongside an analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of existing forms of multilateral cooperation involving Russia. Promising avenues for collaboration are identified, including the development of sustainable and climate-adapted agro-ecosystems, digitalization and precision agriculture, biotechnology, alternative protein sources, cellular agriculture, intelligent agrologistics systems, the development of green technologies, and water resource management. A primary overarching conclusion is that the establishment of a unified (supranational) agricultural policy concerning R&D and innovation within BRICS-10 is currently impractical. The paper concludes by outlining priority areas for innovative activity, the implementation of which through bilateral and multilateral cooperation with BRICS-10 nations will enable Russia to realize significant strategic advantages.

Authors: Sokolova ZHanna Evgenevna