Information technology in agriculture: import substitution, economic challenges and technological alternatives

Abstract

The article provides an overview of possible mechanisms for import substitution of information technologies in the agro-industrial complex (AIC). Changes in the field of international relations directly affected the agro-industrial complex of the Russian Federation. The withdrawal of Western partners from the market, all kinds of restrictions and disruption of supply chains have become a real challenge for Russian agribusiness. These difficulties will become a powerful impetus for the development of domestic production, which will make it possible to occupy vacant niches, reorient cargo flows, increase import substitution, accelerate automation and digitalization of processes, and, ultimately, reach a new level of economic development of the agro-industrial complex. To a large extent, it is information technology (IT) that will become an indicator that determines how successfully enterprises in the industry will develop in the short and long term. The development of the agro-industrial complex is a fundamental direction in any economy, as it is an important strategic factor influencing the socio-economic stability of society as a whole. Comprehensive and effective development of the agro-industrial complex is impossible without the use of advanced digital technologies. Digital transformation will contribute to the development of domestic robotics and the entire IT market. The growth rate of digitalization of the agro-industrial complex in recent years, and its share in Russia's GDP, is still lagging behind the leading economies of the world. Currently, in the Russian Federation, through the implementation of the national program "Digital Economy of the Russian Federation" and the departmental project "Digital Agriculture" of the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia, as well as by creating conditions for advanced development and import substitution, the number of investment projects for the construction and reconstruction of agricultural facilities is growing. The latest equipment and technologies require a high degree of automation and the use of advanced digital solutions, and therefore the digital transformation of food production and, in general, all areas of the agro-industrial complex is gaining momentum.