On the Efficiency of Natural Agro-Potentsial Use in the Steppe Regions of European Russia

Abstract

Main aspects of optimizing the use of natural agro-potential of the steppe zone of European Russia are considered taking into account the available natural and socio-economic resources. The study was carried out by comparing the actual and biopotential yield of grain crops as key agricultural crops of the European Russia’s steppe zone. About half of the Russian grain harvest takes place in this area. Areas with different efficiency of agro-potentsial use were identified using the method of spatial expert assessments. The first group includes areas with optimal efficiency of agricultural land use, where the actual yield is close to biopotential. In the second group there are areas with average efficiency, the actual yield is more than 75% of the biopotential. The third group includes areas with low efficiency. The actual yield is less biopotential in this area. Most of the territory of the European Russia’s steppe zone is characterized by low efficiency of agricultural environmental management. There are significant areas of productive arable land, the biological potential of which is not used rationally due to organizational and economic difficulties. The current level of management does not reveal the potential of cultivated soils in each region. Methods and culture of agriculture may differ significantly within the same farm, which leads to variations in actual yields, while reserves increase the actual yield can be up to 50% of its current level. In turn, the identified features can serve as the basis for the development of geographically differentiated programs of rural areas’ integrated development in the steppe zone of European Russia.