Every Inch Will Be Cultivated: AI-Driven Land Selection Platform to Boost Russian Agriculture
Russia is launching a nationwide digital platform powered by artificial intelligence to help farmers identify and acquire the most suitable agricultural land. The initiative, part of the National Competition Development Plan for 2026–2030, aims to make the land allocation process transparent and efficient while fueling further growth in the country’s booming agrifood sector.
Russia’s Agricultural Growth Momentum
Over the past decade, Russia has transformed into one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of agricultural commodities. Grain production has risen from 92 million to 157 million tons (a record set in 2022). Soybean output grew from 1.5 million to 7 million tons (a record in 2024), while sugar beet yields increased from 39 million tons in 2013 to 53.2 million tons.
For nine consecutive years, Russia has been the world’s leading wheat exporter. In 2024, the country broke its own record by exporting 57.5 million tons of grain. President Vladimir Putin has set an ambitious goal: by 2030, agricultural production should grow by at least 25% compared to 2021 levels, and agri-food exports should increase by at least 1.5 times.
Achieving these targets requires expanding cultivated land. According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture Andrey Razin, Russia’s total agricultural land covers 374 million hectares, including 198 million hectares of farmland and 116 million hectares of arable land. However, around 31 million hectares remain unused—offering enormous potential for growth.
One Platform, All the Data
To unlock this potential, Russia will launch a national digital platform by 2028 to streamline the process of identifying and leasing farmland. The system—developed jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Digital Development, the Ministry of Finance, and Rosreestr (the Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre, and Cartography)—will provide comprehensive information on available land plots, including their characteristics, legal status, and permitted uses.
According to the government, “The new service will make the land selection process transparent and competitive.” The platform will help farmers make informed, data-driven decisions quickly and efficiently, while promoting fair competition among landowners and lessees. Integrating AI-powered analytics will also improve forecasting, land assessment, and decision-making processes, enhancing overall agricultural productivity.
Evolving the Land Market
The upcoming national platform builds on existing regional initiatives already helping farmers across Russia. Currently, 77 digital land management services operate nationwide. For example, the Moscow Region’s “Podmoskovnye 10 ha” platform, launched in 2022, allows small farms to access plots ranging from 10 to 200 hectares for up to six years free of charge. It was recognized as Russia’s best regional agricultural program in 2023.
Another initiative, Rosreestr’s “Land for Farmers” online service launched in 2025, enables users to locate available plots, check for restrictions, and prepare application documents for leasing or ownership. A recent amendment to Russia’s Land Circulation Law now allows farmers to lease public land for five years without competitive bidding, with automatic renewal options.
Fueling Innovation and Efficiency
The introduction of the national AI platform will accelerate agricultural expansion and simplify land acquisition. Farmers will be able to select plots, verify restrictions, and submit applications online, while the state gains greater transparency and reduced corruption risks in land distribution.
This initiative will also stimulate demand for IT solutions in Russia’s agritech sector—particularly cadastral, geospatial, and AI-driven land management technologies. Over time, the system will integrate with Russia’s smart farming networks, using AI to analyze soil quality, estimate input costs, and forecast yield profitability across different crops.
In the future, the Russian platform could serve as a blueprint for other countries seeking to bring idle land into agricultural production. Potential partners include nations in Central Asia, Africa, and Latin America—regions where food security and land-use optimization are key development priorities.
