Digital tools used in 40% of Russian agricultural enterprises - minister

VOLGOGRAD. July 4 (Interfax) - A total of 40% of enterprises in Russia's agricultural sector currently utilize digitalization tools.

"Today, 40% of our enterprises, including small ones, are using digitalization tools in one way or another - employing artificial intelligence, robotics, and all other technologies that enhance labor productivity," Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut told journalists during the Russian Field Day in the Volgograd region.

This has become one of the key instruments for improving labor productivity and the competitiveness of domestic products, "which we produce not just for ourselves," Lut said.

Recalling the industry's target to increase exports to $55 billion by 2030, Lut said, "To accomplish this, we naturally need to examine our product pricing, production costs and potential international market value. This undoubtedly requires tools to enhance productivity and efficiency. Digitalization and digital tools are now likely among the most crucial instruments available to us."

Other sectors adopted digitalization earlier, "but agriculture is rapidly adopting all valuable innovations and best practices in this field," she said.

Lut identified science as a key player in implementing digital technologies. "We will engage with businesses, developers, and the scientific community. Science plays a pivotal role in developing and deploying digital tools across all our sectors - crop production, livestock farming and processing," she said. She added that these sectors are "already actively utilizing such tools."