Digitization of the economy of the agricultural complex: problems and prospects

¹ Don State Technical University, Gagarin sq., 1, Rostov-on-Don, Rostov Region, 344002, Russia
² Rostov State Transport University, sguare of the Rostov Rifle Regiment of the People’s Militia, 2, Rostov-on-Don, 344038, Russia

^* Corresponding author: nesteolya@yandex.ru

Abstract

This study allows us to conclude that digital expansion in the agricultural and processing sectors of the economy is most effective when using models: «pure producer», business model «from the field to the counter», «agro-industrial ecosystem». The main directions of digital transformation in the sphere of agro-industrial complexes are: precision farming, smart farms, smart greenhouse systems (complexes), the program of technological cooperation between agro-industrial complexes and IT- sphere «Industrial FoodNet». The fundamental problems and barriers to the digitalization of the agro-industrial economy are: misunderstanding of the importance of this activity on the part of many agricultural producers; lack of incentives and benefits for agro-industrial organizations and IT companies involved in cross-industry cooperation and import substitution; poor awareness of advanced automated innovation machine technologies and technical means due to digital transformations and artificial intelligence; negative impacts of the reduction of international exchanges and the application of sanctions to Russian manufacturers. In the process of searching for effective directions of digital transformation in the country’s industry under study, the author prepared scenarios based on the Foresight «4 Worlds» method, each of which describes the likely trajectory of the industry development, taking into account the dominant internal and external factors and prerequisites.