Sown Area in Russia in 2014–2023: Structure and Dynamic Factors

The article studies the dynamics of the sown area in Russian regions since 2014. The discrepancy between the area of actually used arable land (sown and full fallow) and the cadastral category of land use is shown. The scale of nonuse of arable land, its disposal, and involvement in agricultural circulation in Russian regions are examined. The dynamics of the sown area, as well as changes in its structure for the main groups and specific agricultural crops, were assessed. The Ryabtsev index of structural shifts was calculated for the country and regions, which shows small changes in the ratio of groups, but an intensive redistribution of cultivated crops within the group of grains and legumes, as well as industrial crops. To explain the reasons for changes in the absolute area and structure of arable land, the mechanisms of influence of the main factors are considered: agroclimatic (bioclimatic potential), agrotechnical, socioeconomic, institutional, and market conditions. The paper presents estimates of the impact of these factors on key parameters of crop production performance (yield) and the dynamics of sown area identified in other studies. Conclusions are drawn about the influence of state policy on the total sown area and its structure, the role of medium- and short-term market conditions on the prevalence of agricultural crops.