Russia Turns to Digital Tools to Combat Desertification

A new tech-driven pilot program is helping Russia fight back against the desertification of farmland in some of its most drought-prone regions.

Russian scientists have developed a digital solution to tackle desertification—the process in which once fertile land in arid areas becomes unsuitable for agriculture.

The issue is especially critical in Russia’s southern territories. According to official data, more than 100 million hectares of land are at risk of degradation. The effects are most visible in Kalmykia, Dagestan, and the Volgograd and Astrakhan regions. A new pilot project was launched in these areas in June of this year.

At the core of the project are digital tools developed in Russia. Soil moisture sensors enable continuous agrometeorological monitoring, with data gathered by an intelligent system known as 'Digital Agrochemist.' An automated station called Metos is also part of the system. Together, these technologies allow researchers to track soil moisture levels, assess the extent of drought, and respond quickly to worsening conditions.

Amid climate change and increasing pressure on land and water resources, the world is witnessing some of the most severe droughts in recorded history. Millions of people face food insecurity and hunger. That global context underscores the broader importance of Russia’s new digital approach.