Russia is rapidly losing fertile farmland — Intelligence

Agricultural land in Russia is rapidly degrading, and Kalmykia has effectively become the first true desert on the territory of modern-day Russia.

According to the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, official data show that between 1.5 and 2 million hectares of land degrade annually in Russia, resulting in the loss of nearly 4 million tonnes of agricultural production in grain equivalent. Soil erosion alone is estimated to cause losses of up to RUB 25 billion per year.

The situation has become so severe that even prominent Russian scientists openly acknowledge the problem. Russian Academy of Sciences academician Andrey Ivanov stated that there is no surplus land available and that desertification is spreading beyond traditionally arid regions into permafrost areas of Tuva and Yakutia.

Overall, around 84 million hectares of land are considered at risk of desertification. The most affected areas include Dagestan, Astrakhan Oblast, Kuban, and Rostov Oblast. In Kalmykia, a desert covering approximately 3.2 million hectares has already formed.

The loss of humus, a key component of soil fertility, is another major concern. Experts estimate that over the past century many of Russia’s arable lands, including its famous black soils, have lost between 30% and 50% of their original organic matter content. This is leading to declining crop yields and rising production costs.

Climate change is adding further pressure. A 2024 drought assessment recorded worsening dry conditions across most of the country’s natural zones. As a result, farmers are expected to spend increasingly more on fertilizers, irrigation, land reclamation, and risk insurance.

Notably, discussions have already begun in Russia about officially recognizing the depreciation of land assets. Scientists propose monitoring soils for fertility losses and adjusting the book value of agricultural land according to its condition.

“Thus, one of Russia’s key resources, long considered an unquestionable national advantage, is gradually becoming a source of economic risk. While the Kremlin continues to spend resources on geopolitical adventures, Russia is quietly losing the foundation of both its food security and long-term economic development,” the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine noted.

Tags: Russia, yield, land market