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2025. Vol.10. №3.

Russian agricultural policy in the 21st century: From producer support to consumer support?

Oct 22 2025

Elanskaya A. A. Russian agricultural policy in the 21st century: From producer support to consumer support? // The Russian Peasant Studies. 2025. V.10. №3. P. 182-204.

EDN: JVIVTG

Annotation

The article considers the transformation of Russia’s agricultural policy since the beginning of the 21st century. The author applies the OECD methodology to assess structural shifts and make comparisons with other countries. The article shows significant policy changes, although producer support remains its core and market-distorting measures still prevail. However, price support for agricultural producers at the expense of consumers has decreased, while the share of expenditures on general services and consumer support has increased, bringing Russia’s agricultural policy closer to that of developed nations. Although Russia does not provide food assistance as part of its agricultural budget, the state actively stimulates food demand. The author estimates the scale of consumer subsidies aimed at purchasing food products and their role in effective demand for agricultural products. Thus, Russia’s agricultural policy has gradually, albeit slowly, shifted toward greater consumer support.

Keywords

Agricultural policy, export-oriented economy, government program, OECD, producer support, consumer support, support for general services, food assistance, school nutrition programs.

About the author

Alexandra A. Elanskaya, PhD (Geography), Research Fellow, Center for Agrifood Policy, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration. Vernadskogo Prosp., 82, Moscow, 119571, Russia. 
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2025. Vol.10. №2.

Discovering social aspects of rurbanization: A literature review

Jul 28 2025

Mukha V.N., Chemulova A.V. Discovering social aspects of rurbanization: A literature review // The Russian Peasant Studies. 2025. V.10. №2. P. 161-179.

EDN: CBBUWO

Annotation

The article considers social aspects of rurbanization as a process when rural areas increasingly adopt urban characteristics, which blurs the lines between traditional rural and urban lifestyles. The article presents a comprehensive literature review and a topic modeling analysis to identify key issues when considering social aspects of rurbanization: the impact on mental health, theoretical changes in understanding social interactions, challenges and opportunities in the sustainable infrastructure development, the role of economic policies in balancing rural and urban needs, the influence of smart innovations on local governance and community engagement, changes in education and employment. The authors’ findings highlight both positive and negative effects of rurbanization, such as an enhanced access to urban amenities and increased social tensions. The authors emphasize the need for multi-faceted approaches to diverse challenges determined by rurbanization.

Keywords

Rurbanization, social aspects, mental health, sustainable infrastructure, economic policy, smart innovation, education and employment, community cohesion, rural-urban integration, social cohesion, theoretical frameworks.

About the authors

Victoria N. Mukha, PhD (Sociology), Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Law and Work with Personnel, Kuban State Technological University; Moskovskaya St., 2, Krasnodar, 350072, Russia.
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Alena V. Chemulova, Research Assistant, Kuban State Technological University, Moskovskaya St., 2, Krasnodar, 350072, Russia.
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2025. Vol.10. №2.

Current implementation of the Chinese strategy for agricultural development in the North-East

Jul 28 2025

Makeeva S.B. Current implementation of the Chinese strategy for agricultural development in the North-East // The Russian Peasant Studies. 2025. V.10. №2. P. 136-160.

EDN: CAAWWD

Annotation

The article considers agricultural development of the Northeastern region of China, focusing on the current implementation of the state agricultural strategy in three provinces — Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning. Since 2003, these provinces have implemented the strategy of restoring the old industrial base and since 2023 — the strategy of strengthening the agricultural complex and ensuring food security in Northeast China. Based on the analysis of normative and statistical data from the reports on the development of Northeast China, the author aims at summarizing the experience of implementing its strategy with system and statistical methods. Thus, Northeast China has significant advantages in the development of agricultural sector due to the restoration of its industrial base since 2003, which became an impetus for agricultural production and subsequently led to the inclusion of Dongbei in the project of the strong agricultural state. Today Northeast China develops high-quality, scientific-technological, ‘green’ and ‘branded’ agriculture. The implementation of the new agricultural strategy in the Northeastern region affects the development of rural infrastructure in Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning provinces.

Keywords

Northeast China, black-earth belt, agricultural production, strategy, rural areas, agricultural workers, ‘green’ food, grain growing, animal husbandry, ‘branded’ agriculture, food security.

About the author

Svetlana B. Makeeva, DSc (History), Associate Professor, Department of Chinese Studies, Head of the Department of Regional Demography, Institute for Demographic Research of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Fotievoy St., 6, Moscow, 119333.
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2025. Vol.10. №2.

On the BRICS Grain Exchange: The role of the Russian platform B2B-technologies

Jul 28 2025

Sheresheva M.Yu., Belyaev A.A. On the BRICS Grain Exchange: The role of the Russian platform B2B-technologies // The Russian Peasant Studies. 2025. V.10. №2. P. 118-135.

EDN: BAAKDK

Annotation

The article identifies opportunities and directions for the use of the Russian digital platform solutions to develop the BRICS Grain Exchange. Based on the analysis of academic literature, the authors describe the features of exchange trade in agricultural products and the dangers of its turning into a platform for hedging price risks and financial speculation (when a balance of supply and demand for physical goods would have no impact on prices). The authors propose to use the Russian B2B platform technologies to ensure a balance of interests of different business forms in the agro-industrial complex, providing an example of the GrainChain digital platform technologies developed for the grain and oilseeds market and a possible technological basis for the BRICS Grain Exchange. The digital trading channel for agribusiness supported by the Russian technology can ensure transparency of interactions between the BRICS countries, since the exchange and platform solutions in B2B trading would increase the number of trade participants in the digital space and speed up the formation of price indices based on a representative sample.

Keywords

Technological sovereignty, food security, digital platforms, technological innovation, agribusiness, BRICS.

About the authors

Marina Yu. Sheresheva, DSc (Economics), Head of the Marketing Department and Laboratory for Institutional Analysis, Lomonosov Moscow State University. Leninskie Gory, 1, bldg. 46, Moscow, 119991.
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Artem A. Belyaev, PhD (History), CEO of “Znamensky Trade Company”, Co-founder of “Grain Chain”, Adviser to the President of the Association “Afanasy Nikitin”.
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2025. Vol.10. №1.

Dynamics and key directions of sustainable development of regional agriculture in the context of ensuring national and food security of the Russian Federation

May 21 2025

Ryazantsev S.V., Vartanova M.L. Dynamics and key directions of sustainable development of regional agriculture in the context of ensuring national and food security of the Russian Federation // The Russian Peasant Studies. 2025. V.10. №1. P. 202-225.

EDN: SQCVNB

Annotation

The article identifies the problems and features of agricultural production in Russia’s regions. The main arguments proving the relevance of target qualitative indicators in the methodology of regional management of the agricultural sector (improved efficiency of agricultural sector and increased output of agricultural and food products to the level that ensures regional food security) were chosen according to the initial and projected situation in food supply. This allowed the authors to apply statistical forecasting methods and make a matrix of key directions in the development of agricultural production according to the national security requirements, to identify significant differences between Russia’s regions and to present an optimal ratio of productivity and profitability, production and consumption of agricultural products for each territory. Thus, the article provides general theoretical ideas adapted to the current trends of social-economic and scientific-technical development to assess the role of agriculture and agro-industrial complex in Russian regions with different climatic conditions, and the authors formulate scientifically sound recommendations on the scope and directions for expanding agricultural specialization even in regions with unfavorable climatic conditions.

Keywords

Agricultural sector, dynamics, key areas, national security, indicators, food security, Russia’s regions, agriculture, agricultural production, sustainable development, federal districts, economic security.

About the authors

Sergey V. Ryazantsev, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, DSc (Economics), Professor, Department of International Economic Relations, RUDN University; Lecturer, Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Phutthamonthon, Salaya, Bangkok, 73170, Thailand.
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Marina L. Vartanova, DSc (Economics), Chief Researcher, Department of the Study of Socio-Demographic Processes in the EAEU, Institute of Demographic Research, Federal Research Sociological Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Fotievoy St., 6, Moscow, 119333, Russia.
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2025. Vol.10. №1.

Small business’ motivation for organic production in the agricultural sector of the North-West

May 21 2025

Nikonova N.A., Nikonov A.G., Dibirova Kh.A. Small business’ motivation for organic production in the agricultural sector of the North-West // The Russian Peasant Studies. 2025. V.10. №1. P. 178-201.

EDN: RLJZFA

Annotation

The article considers the possibility of sustainable development of the national organic market by affecting the motivation of local producers. The authors mention theoretical approaches to the study of the relationship between incentive factors and economic behavior and present the results of the survey of heads of farms in the Leningrad, Novgorod and Pskov Regions (N=151) to reveal reasons hindering the development of organic production in the North-West. The motivation features of small business in the today’s institutional environment depend on typological characteristics of producers: “highly motivated”, “lowly motivated”, and “conditionally motivated”. Thus, despite some respondents’ interest in the transition to organic agriculture, there are factors preventing such a transition, and one of the most important is the need for increased government support, including in marketing. The authors conclude that mainly the risks of not getting the desired economic result influence intentions and plans of such producers, regardless of the location of the farm, which explains the need for special target programs at the regional level to stimulate the business sector, including the study of the dynamics of producers’ motives and incentives.

Keywords

Motives, organic production, questionnaire, respondents, small agribusiness, government support, North-West.

About the authors

Natalya A. Nikonova, PhD (Economics), Researcher, Saint Petersburg Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences. 14th Line V.O., no 39, Saint Petersburg, 199178, Russia.
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Aleksey G. Nikonov, Researcher, Saint Petersburg Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences. 14th Line V.O., no 39, Saint Petersburg, 199178, Russia.
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Khapsat A. Dibirova, Junior Researcher, Saint Petersburg Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences. 14th Line V.O., no 39, Saint Petersburg, 199178, Russia.
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2025. Vol.10. №1.

Human dimension of rural history: Demographic losses and dacha revitalization in one Tver village

May 21 2025

Bogdanova L.P., Vinogradov D.M., Smirnova A.A. Human dimension of rural history: Demographic losses and dacha revitalization in one Tver village // The Russian Peasant Studies. 2025. V.10. №1. P. 153-177.

EDN: OTGKMC

Annotation

The article reconstructs the history and key post-Soviet changes in the village of Denisovo located in Rameshkovsky municipal district of the Tver Region. The village is a part of the main settlement area of Tver Karelia that developed in the upper reaches of the Medveditsa River. Another feature of this territory is closeness to the Tver agglomeration and the Moscow Region. These features largely determined demographic changes in the village at different times. Based on various materials, including historical sources, the authors provide a brief overview of the Karelian colonization of the territory and of the ethnic structure of settlements in the Zamytskaya volost. Based on the zemstvo statistical data and censuses, the authors analyze the population dynamics in rural settlements that were a part of the former Zamytskaya volost from the late 19th century to the early 21st century. The article presents a schematic historical reconstruction of Denisovo based on the survey of old residents, which was conducted in 1999. This reconstruction shows the number of people in households from the 1930s to the 1990s and the demographic losses of the village in the 20th century. The repeated survey conducted in the summer of 2024 showed the dacha transformation of the village, i.e., that a significant share of households is seasonally inhabited. Based on interviews with one local resident, the authors provide a contemporary scheme of households, which shows that the dacha ownership in Denisovo reflects the traditional directions of rural migration — to Tver, Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Owners are mainly local residents or descendants of those who left the village in the 20th century. The authors suggest the significant influence of the ethnic-cultural factor on revitalization of Tver villages.

Keywords

Rural studies, population dynamics, rural depopulation, village transformation, dacha revitalization, Tver Karelia.

About the authors

Lidiya P. Bogdanova, DSc (Geography), Head of the Department of Social and Economic Geography and Territorial Planning, Faculty of Geography and Geoecology, Tver State University. P. Proshina St., 3, bldg. 2, Tver, 170021, Russia.
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Dmitry M. Vinogradov, PhD Student, Faculty of Geography and Geoecology, Tver State University. P. Proshina St., 3, bldg. 2, Tver, 170021, Russia.
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Alexandra A. Smirnova, PhD (Geography), Associate Professor, Faculty of Geography and Geoecology, Tver State University. P. Proshina St., 3, bldg. 2, Tver, 170021, Russia. E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

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2025. Vol.10. №1.

Settlement types and settlement system along the eastern part of the Baikal-Amur Mainline (Amur Region and Khabarovsk Region)

May 21 2025

Pivovar G.A., Shirokova P.A., Prusikhin O.E., Alekseev A.I. Settlement types and settlement system along the eastern part of the Baikal-Amur Mainline (Amur Region and Khabarovsk Region) // The Russian Peasant Studies. 2025. V.10. №1. P. 123-152.

EDN: OQUDCL

Annotation

The construction of the Baikal-Amur Mainline (BAM), one of the largest “megaprojects” of the Soviet Union, left a significant mark in history. At the same time, fewer works consider villages along the mainline, their contemporary life and inhabitants. The authors make an attempt to describe the settlement system along the eastern part of the BAM (between Tynda and Komsomolsk-on-Amur) and provide a typology of settlements affected by the railway based on field and statistical data. The BAM settlement system is linear due to the policy of territorial development around the railway. Thus, the authorities gave priority to industrial development at the expense of social development, and the main decisions on the location of settlements, housing and infrastructure were made at the level of individual construction sites. They were supposed to form a highly urbanized settlement system with a developed infrastructure along the road (to attract employees), but the lagging development of settlements did not allow this. Moreover, the BAM settlement system incorporated the previously existing settlements, which allows to identify two waves in the development of this territory — the long-term pre-BAM and the BAM-period. Settlements can be divided into four types based on the time of establishment, ethnic-cultural and economic characteristics: premainline ethnic settlements of indigenous communities, pre-BAM fishing settlements that grew out of outposts of prospectors and hunters, BAM intermediate urban settlements, and BAM “failed cities” — settlements at the main stations, which were supposed to become key centers of the new territory. These differences determined different ways of settlement transformations in the post-Soviet period.

Keywords

Baikal-Amur Mainline, Eastern BAM, rural settlements, urban settlements, workers’ settlements, settlement system, transformation of rural areas, typology of settlements, Amur Region, Khabarovsk Region, geographical study of rural areas.

About the authors

Galina A. Pivovar, Independent Researcher in Human Geography. Novodevichiy Pr., 2, Moscow, 119435, Russia.
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Polina A. Shirokova, Independent Researcher in Human Geography. Sitnikova St., 2, Balashikha, Moscow Region, 143923, Russia.
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Oleg E. Prusikhin, PhD Student, Leading Engineer, Department of Economic and Social Geography of Russia, Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University; Research Intern, Center for Spatial Analysis and Regional Diagnostics, Institute of Applied Economic Studies, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration. Leninskie Gory, 1, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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Alexander I. Alekseev, DSc (Geography), Professor, Department of Economic and Social Geography of Russia, Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University. Leninskie Gory, 1, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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2025. Vol.10. №1.

Interaction of agriculture and forestry as a way of survival for Eastern districts of the Kostroma Region

May 20 2025

Nefedova T.G. Interaction of agriculture and forestry as a way of survival for Eastern districts of the Kostroma Region // The Russian Peasant Studies. 2025. V.10. №1. P. 104-122.

EDN: LHJZVX

Annotation

The article considers today’s specifics of the mutual influence of agriculture and forestry in the Kostroma Region as a typical non-black-earth region, in areas remote from large cities. The main factors affecting life in such a region in recent decades have been depopulation in rural areas and small towns and concentration of production of key industries — agriculture and woodworking — in separate specialized large enterprises, while middle-sized enterprises outside cities disappear and small enterprises are forced to combine agriculture and forestry to survive. Meager pensions make the population reduce their personal subsidiary farming due to age restrictions and the lack of assistance from enterprises. Based on the study of three districts in the eastern part of the region, the article describes transformation paths of large, medium-sized and small forestry and agricultural enterprises and households in the 2000s–2020s. The author shows paths of interaction and often symbiosis of agriculture and forestry and methods of people’s adaptation to changing social-economic conditions.

Keywords

Forestry, agriculture, large and small enterprises, rural population, Non-Black Earth Region, Kostroma Region.

About the author

Tatyana G. Nefedova, DSc (Geography), Chief Researcher, Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences. Staromonetny Per., 29, bldg. 4, Moscow, 119017, Russia.
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2024. Vol.9. №4.

Digital platforms in agribusiness: A technological basis for mutually beneficial interaction of market players

Feb 10 2025

Sheresheva M. Yu., Belyaev A. A. Digital platforms in agribusiness: A technological basis for mutually beneficial interaction of market players // The Russian Peasant Studies. 2024. V.9. №4. P. 257-279.

DOI: 10.22394/2500-1809-2024-9-4-257-279

Annotation

The article outlines directions for the development of digital platforms for the Russian agro-industrial complex. Based on scientific data and research, the authors explain advantages and problems of platform solutions for agribusiness and possibilities to balance interests of producers of different sizes, including farmers and other small and medium-sized enterprises involved in agricultural value chains. The article presents a case of the GrainChain digital platform that allows actors in the grain and oilseeds market to find partners for mutually beneficial transactions, optimize procurement decisions, reduce inventory and overhead costs, receive real-time analytics and use other related services, including financial solutions, which ultimately reduces risks and increases cash flow. The authors conclude about the prospects of such platform solutions not only at the national level but also for international cooperation, in particular for the interaction of various groups whose interests are related to the BRICS agricultural production sector. 

Keywords

Digital platforms, technological sovereignty, technological innovation, agriculture, agribusiness, stakeholder networking.

About the authors

Marina Yu. Sheresheva, DSc (Economics), Professor, Department of Applied Institutional Economics, Head of the Laboratory for Institutional Analysis, Lomonosov Moscow State University. Leninskie Gory 1–46, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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Artem A. Belyaev, PhD (History), CEO, We Grow; Co-founder, GrainChain; Adviser to the President, Association “Afanasy Nikitin”.
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