Directions for Stimulating Digitalization in the Agricultural Sector of the Russian Economy

Currently, digital transformation is one of the main priorities of the development of the Russian agricultural sector because the level of digitalization characterizes the competitiveness of the industry in the new technological order and contributes to the prospects of innovation breakthrough. This fact determines the relevance of the research. The paper aims to develop proposals for solving problems hindering the digitalization of the agricultural sector. The authors apply the methods of monographic and economic-statistical analysis and the results of theoretical and practical research of the authors of thematic publications. The analysis of the indicators of digitalization of agriculture showed that its pace is insufficient. The evaluation of the results of the expert survey and the review of a set of information-analytical sources allowed us to identify the problems hindering the digitalization of the agricultural sector. The main problems include the lack of financial resources of the majority of agricultural producers to implement digital technologies, their low level of awareness of the benefits of digitalization, and the shortage of IT specialists in the agricultural sector. To solve the identified problems, the authors propose to form a system of incentive measures of government support, create a system of education and training of specialists of agricultural organizations to form their digital competencies, and organize information and awareness-raising work in the field of digitalization. To implement these proposals, it is advisable to create a network of regional centers of competence. The effect of implementing the proposed system of measures will be expressed in the achievement of the target indicators of the federal project “Digital Agriculture,” including the growth of labor productivity and reducing the share of material costs in the cost of agricultural products.