Rodnina N.V. Risky Farming Zone: State and Prospects of Crop Production in the North Arctic Region (Exemplified by the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia))

Natalia V.  Rodnina
Arctic State Agrotechnological University, Yakutsk, Russian Federation

Abstract. The article examines the state and trends in the development of crop production in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The dynamics of the production of its individual types – potatoes, vegetables, and grain crops by farm categories – were analyzed. It was established that the agrarian policy pursued at the state and regional authorities did not contribute to the production of these cultures. Production volumes not only stabilized but also had a significant decrease. Among the reasons that negatively affect the industry are the lack of effective technologies; soil and climatic conditions, including the factor of risky agriculture; the lack and high cost of mineral fertilizers; the lack of agricultural machinery; and the generally low level of material and technical base of commodity producers. An important reason was also the outflow of the population and, accordingly, the lack of labor resources in rural areas. Thus, all four resources that should be used in agricultural production, namely land, labor resources, other material and technical base (with the exception of land), and capital, did not create conditions for the development of crop production industries. The author determined that it is possible to increase the crop production and ensure the level of food security of the North Arctic regions exemplified by Yakutia by transferring industries to an innovative development path, including improved state regulation and support. The purpose of the study was to identify the features and actual state of crop production industries characteristic of regions with difficult natural and climatic conditions and to determine the main measures of stimulation and influence to increase production volumes. When preparing the article, standard research methods were used based on statistical data and analysis of government program documents. In addition to statistical data from the Federal Statistics Service in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the materials of conferences and reports of federal and regional executive bodies were used to determine trends and problems in the crop production industry.
Key words: Yakutia, North Arctic regions, agriculture, crop production, food security, food self-sufficiency, innovation, investment.

Citation. Rodnina N.V., 2026. Risky Farming Zone: State and Prospects of Crop Production in the North Arctic Region (Exemplified by the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)). Regionalnaya ekonomika. Yug Rossii [Regional Economy. South of Russia], vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 28-36. (in Russian). DOI: https://doi.org/10.15688/re.volsu.2026.1.3

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