The article considers the current state and prospects for the use of bioethanol, biodiesel, biogas, hydrogen and ammonia as alternative fuels. In order to fully present the scientific and applied significance and role of alternative fuel sources, an assessment of the pros and cons of each of them is given, and the difficulties and problematic aspects of their application are identified. Individual types of alternative fuels were analyzed from the technical (overall efficiency), economic (investments and costs of biofuel production) and environmental points of view (greenhouse gas emissions). Practical examples of their successful application in the transport and logistics sector are presented. The conclusion is substantiated that many of them are currently characterized by high production costs, insufficient technological readiness and do not have full potential to replace diesel fuel and gasoline. Prospects for further use of alternative fuels in the transport sector are determined in order to decarbonize the economy and reduce the negative impact on the environment.
The relevance of the analysis of indicators characterizing the processes of digitalization in the agro-industrial complex of the Russian Federation is determined by the significance of these processes, confirmed by the need to ensure the country's food security, increase competitiveness in international markets, optimize the use of resources, attract investment, implement government policy, and develop rural areas. It was found that in 2021-2023, there was a decrease in internal costs (by 13,1%) and an increase in external costs (by 68,8%) of agricultural organizations for the introduction and use of digital technologies and related goods and services. Such multidirectional trends indicate: the presence of a mature market for digital products and services; trends towards IT outsourcing; the transition to cloud services and Soft as a Service models. There is a low level of digitalization costs in agriculture compared to other types of economic activity, which reduces the competitiveness of enterprises, increases costs, and decreases productivity. There is significant potential to increase the number of organizations with access to high-speed Internet. There is an uneven distribution of organizations by Internet connection speed categories. In the field of agricultural digitalization, there is an insufficient number of specialized ICT specialists. There is a tendency to increase the proportion of specialists using ICT in their activities. It is necessary to strengthen measures for the training and involvement of specialized specialists, as well as the development of retraining programs for specialists in other fields. As measures to improve the current situation, it is proposed to: develop a clear digitalization strategy; select reliable suppliers of digital solutions; develop their own IT competencies, which will effectively manage external suppliers and integrate digital technologies; ensure reliable data protection.
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state and development trends of the potash segment of the global mineral fertilizer market. It provides a comprehensive assessment of global supply, demand, and trade relations for potash fertilizers, as well as the specifics of the pricing system in place in recent years. Particular attention is paid to an analysis of the competitive environment and the level of concentration in the global potash market. It substantiates the conclusion regarding the existing monopoly nature of the market under study and the presence of a number of entry barriers for new players. The article notes the high level of export orientation of the potash fertilizer segment due to the geographical and territorial mismatch between the number and locations of production and demand centers. The concentration of global demand in developing countries is highlighted. A forecast for the future development of the potash market is provided.
Peasant farms continue to increase their production of agricultural products. However, they often face difficulties and are at a disadvantage comparing to large market players. In our opinion, establishing cooperatives by farmers can help address these challenges. Several countries with developed farming systems have shown success in this regard. Most foreign farmers participate in agricultural cooperatives. Our country has also experienced periods of cooperative movement, which coincided with the development of market relations. According to A.V. Chayanov, there should be a combination of family farms with large cooperative organizations in terms of processing, selling products, and providing assistance in all technological and economic processes. The creation of agricultural consumer cooperatives has many positive aspects for their members. Agricultural consumer cooperatives are involved in various fields, which allows.
The article discusses the problem of digital platform transformation of agricultural consumer cooperatives. A taxonomy of digital cooperative platforms is proposed, which is understood as a hierarchical classification of many parameters of their functioning. The following parameters of the first classification level are used: subjects, business model, types of activities. The taxonomy is designed to promote understanding of the variety of possible configurations of the organization of digital cooperative platforms. To assess the potential of creating digital cooperative platforms based on agricultural consumer cooperatives, they were grouped by scale of activity based on revenue, and a content analysis of the websites of the largest cooperatives was performed.
The article examines the role of consumer preferences as a key factor in institutional transformations in sheep farming. The authors show how culturally determined demands – religious, gastronomic, ethical and environmental – are transformed from informal social norms into formalized economic institutions. Based on retrospective analysis and the case study method, the mechanisms of institutionalization of consumer demand are identified: from ritual practices and food traditions to modern certification systems ("halal", "organic"), geographical indications and ethnic brands. A typology of consumer preferences has been developed and their impact on breeding, logistics, cooperation and the formation of premium market segments has been analyzed. Special attention is paid to the Russian context: more than 50% of the sheep population is concentrated in ethnically and culturally specific regions, where traditions directly shape the demand structure. The empirical basis of the study was the "Social Flock" project in the Republic of Buryatia, which demonstrates how traditional norms of mutual assistance and sustainable farming can be integrated into an effective economic model that reduces transaction costs and stimulates the development of depressed rural areas. Alternative institutions have been identified – from community cooperatives to digital traceability platforms – that increase the sustainability of agricultural systems. It is shown that such models are particularly in demand where standard market mechanisms are ineffective. The results are of practical importance for the development of state agricultural policy aimed at supporting diversified, culturally adapted models of sheep farming development in the context of growing consumer demand differentiation and global trends towards ethical and sustainable production. Given the projected growth of the global halal market to $6 trillion by 2034, as well as the expansion of organic and local product niches, the integration of cultural factors into the institutional environment of the agro-industrial complex is becoming a strategic direction for sustainable development.
In the context of global instability, the role of mountainous territories in addressing issues of national security, including food security, is increasing. The relevance of the research is determined by the need to accelerate the resolution of the growing social, economic, and environmental problems in the mountainous regions of the Republic of Dagestan. These territories provide the livelihood and well-being of the population living both in the mountains and indirectly benefit people living in the lowland zone. The article reveals the current state of mountainous territories in the republic, characterized by the complexity of organizing agricultural activities, the underdevelopment of production and distribution infrastructure, and the social vulnerability of residents. It is noted that the task of consolidating the population in mountainous areas does not find its proper solution, despite the implementation of major investment projects within the framework of state programs at the federal and regional levels. The article substantiates the need to review the regional state policy in relation to mountainous areas. It is noted that the restoration of mountain valley gardening can become one of the key areas that will provide solutions to many problems of the mountainous territories of the republic. The dynamics of performance indicators of horticultural organizations for 2021-2024 is presented. The production and financial problems of the canning industry are revealed. Ways of restoring mountain and valley gardening are proposed.
The study is devoted to the development and testing of an improved methodology for forecasting the production of fresh vegetables, based on the principles of network modeling and the analysis of market participants' interactions. An economic and mathematical method is proposed that combines network effects and allows for multi-variant calculations that take into account both external factors (macroeconomic conditions, government policies, and climatic conditions) and internal characteristics of enterprises (technological potential and financial and economic indicators). The methodology is based on a system of mathematical equations with a matrix of influence coefficients, which is formed based on the analysis of time series and expert assessments, which ensures the adaptability and flexibility of the model. Three scenarios for the development of the industry have been considered: the basic scenario, the optimistic scenario, and the pessimistic scenario, which allow for assessing risks and opportunities in changing market conditions. The results of the model's testing based on a company in the Voronezh region demonstrate.
The article examines the data economy in crop production as an institutional system that shapes a new model of agricultural management. The study is based on a three-component structure of the data economy that includes crop agribusiness, the public sector, and the infrastructural component. Agribusiness acts as the primary generator of data used to improve the efficiency of land, labor, and capital utilization. The public sector performs regulatory and standardization functions, ensuring data collection, validation, and integration into state agricultural information systems. The infrastructural component provides the technological and organizational foundation for data exchange, including digital platforms, state information systems, marketplaces, and banking ecosystems. The analysis highlights the strengths of the data economy’s development in crop production–its growing role as a production factor, institutionalization of digital practices, and advancement of data infrastructure. At the same time, several limitations are identified: fragmented databases, insufficient system integration, and restricted access to public data. The article concludes that building a unified agricultural data space is essential for the digital transformation of crop production and for strengthening Russia’s food security.
The aim of the study is to substantiate the role of agritourism as a promising area that contributes to the activation of investment activity, increasing the competitiveness of the region, and ensuring sustainable socio-economic development of the region in the long term. In the current circumstances, when the influence of geopolitical factors has become noticeable, the entire global economic system is subject to significant fluctuations that affect the regional economy, affecting, in turn, important issues of the development of small-scale businesses, which are largely related to the industry that forms the main potential of the regional economy. Key economic development guidelines for the Belgorod Region are enshrined in the region's socioeconomic development strategy through 2030, which includes the formation of new industrial clusters focused on high-tech industries as key indicators. These industries include specialized mechanical engineering and engineering, biopharmaceutical products, and the production of components and ingredients for the food industry. This strategy places particular emphasis on reengineering and developing domestic production in sectors most vulnerable to sanctions: the mining and metallurgical complex, the agro-industrial sector, and the pharmaceutical industry. The key objective is to strengthen ties between the region's leading enterprises, as well as small and medium-sized businesses. The Belgorod Region government annually focuses its efforts on creating a favorable economic environment and improving the organizational conditions for entrepreneurship. Considerable attention is paid to the development of small rural businesses. The development of the tourism sector plays a vital role in the development of any region, ensuring economic growth, social structure, and cultural diversity. Agritourism is a tool for diversifying the rural economy. It integrates agricultural activities and the tourism sector, creating a multiplier effect in the development of the regional economy. Accordingly, agritourism is a key element of the region's development strategy, contributing to economic growth, job creation, improving the quality of life in rural areas, and preserving cultural heritage.