Classification of digital platforms for the development of cooperation in the agricultural sector

The article presents the results of a study of digital platforms, the participants of which are agricultural producers. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the business models of digital platforms in terms of their applicability for the development of agricultural cooperation with the participation of small agricultural producers. Based on a review of the scientific literature, the criteria for classifying digital platforms are formulated. The selected criteria have been supplemented, detailed and applied to evaluate a sample of 33 digital platforms operating in Russia and other countries selected for analysis. Using the Kohonen self-organizing map method, the digital platforms in question were divided into three clusters. Comparison of clusters made it possible to identify a number of features characteristic of individual business models of digital platforms. It has been revealed that in more than half of the cases when digital platforms are created on the initiative of private commercial investors or public-private partnership structures, the owner of the platform uses it to promote their own goods (services). Platforms with product specialization mainly use the business-to-business interaction model. Combined forms of interaction (B2B+B2C, B2B+B2G) are typical for platforms that implement the functions of renting and buying and selling equipment, digitalizing supply chains in agriculture, knowledge sharing, consulting and training, and innovation development. The conclusion is made about the possibility of using business models of digital platforms for the development of both consumer and industrial agricultural cooperation. Certain functions of agricultural consumer cooperation can be implemented not only on the basis of cooperative platforms, but also through the participation of agricultural producers in the activities of digital platforms of commercial investors.