Russian Region Trains Teachers to Operate Driverless Farm Tractors
The training is designed to pass hands-on skills with autonomous agricultural machinery from instructors to students.
In Russia’s Tambov region, instructors at vocational colleges have completed a training course on operating autonomous agricultural equipment. The program introduced teachers to autopilot systems, the basics of precision farming, and real-world use of driverless machines in the field.
Bringing Modern Technology to Vocational Colleges
The regional agriculture ministry said the training marked the final stage of a broader effort to integrate modern agrotechnologies into vocational education curricula. The closing session was attended by Alexander Aksyonov, deputy minister of agriculture of the Tambov region, and Ruslan Vyazhanov, deputy head of the regional department for agro-industrial development.
Precision Farming
The project was initiated by the agricultural machinery company Selkhozmashiny. Working with educational institutions that train specialists for the agro-industrial sector, the company has been introducing a new course module titled “Precision Farming Systems.” As a result, study programs were updated, a specialized textbook was prepared, and instructors underwent retraining.
Not Just Agronomists, but Drone and Systems Operators
According to the agriculture ministry, autonomous machinery allows farm work to be carried out more accurately, reduces fuel and material consumption, and lowers the workload on staff. This requires specialists who understand not only agronomy, but also how digital control systems operate.
As a result, vocational colleges now have instructors with practical experience in using autonomous agricultural equipment. These skills will be incorporated into teaching programs as colleges train future specialists for agricultural enterprises in the region.
