Problems and Priority Areas for Applying Digital Technologies in Russian Agriculture

Abstract

This paper discusses the implementation of digital technologies in the production sector and business processes of agricultural enterprises in Russia. Implementation of digitalization into the economic entities’ business activity is necessary in order not only to increase the speed of their functioning several times, but also to open up new, broader opportunities for their development in the future. Currently, in the Russian Federation, the main leaders in the development of digital technologies are, first of all, IT companies, as well as organizations operating in the field of media, finance and insurance. The level of digitalization in the real sector of the economy is significantly lower, while the agricultural sector is in last place for this indicator. This article reflects the prerequisites for the development of the digital economy in the world, which include the automation of production technologies and business processes, as well as penetration into the social sphere of the countries of the global Internet and mobile communications. The author considered a number of interpretations of the concept of “digital economy”, of which, in her opinion, the most rational version of the definition of the term under consideration was selected. Within the framework of the study, the prerequisites for the effective implementation of innovative technologies in the economic and social spheres of enterprises’ activities were determined, and the main factors and conditions for the developing digital system of a particular country were established. In the presented work, the author identified a number of modern key problems that significantly impede the introduction of digital technologies in the production and economic activities of economic entities of Russia, especially in the field of agriculture. At the same time, quite popular and widespread advanced technologies are indicated, which are currently being successfully implemented in promising agricultural organizations of the country. With regard to the branches of agriculture in Russia, namely crop and livestock breeding, the most expedient areas for the introduction of advanced digital technologies into the business processes of agricultural enterprises are presented.