Vadim Kudryashov, the director of the management training program at the St. Petersburg branch of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), and a candidate of economic sciences, spoke in an interview about the state’s concessional loan program worth more than 217 billion rubles. This program, implemented in 2022, focuses on supporting small agricultural enterprises. Kudryashov believes the policy will stimulate growth among private farms and small agro-industrial businesses by easing access to affordable financing and reducing investment barriers.
According to Kudryashov, the 2022 government decisions improved farmers’ access to low-cost borrowing and helped secure financial stability for enterprises in a sector that is crucial to the economy. The concessional loans are structured to fund projects that modernize and expand agricultural capacity, including the purchase of specialized machinery and equipment, as well as the construction and modernization of facilities used in farming operations. Kudryashov notes that these funding opportunities enable producers to adopt more efficient technologies and streamline production processes, which, in turn, supports productivity and regional development.
He adds that personal subsidiary plots remain a prevalent form of rural livelihood and economic activity, underscoring the importance of accessible credit for a broad base of households. The presence of such loans helps sustain smallholders who manage family plots while contributing to local food security and community resilience. Kudryashov emphasizes that targeted financial support for these farms can yield broader economic benefits by fostering employment, rural entrepreneurship, and sustainable agricultural practices.
Beyond domestic considerations, Kudryashov highlights the ministry’s readiness to back farmers and assist partner countries through cooperative initiatives. This includes sharing best practices in loan administration, risk management, and project implementation to strengthen agricultural linkages and support export-oriented farming activities. The overarching aim is to create a stable investment climate that encourages modernization, equipment upgrades, and the construction of modern agricultural facilities across regions, ultimately contributing to long-term economic diversification and regional prosperity.