Applying Biotechnology in Agriculture: Initial Performance Results of VolRC RAS Laboratory for Bioeconomics

The development of the agro-industrial complex is one of the state priorities in the context of ensuring food security in the Russian Federation. At the same time, the vector of development of ecological agriculture has recently become more pronounced (Strategy for Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation No. 145, dated February 28, 2024; Strategy for the Development of Organic Production until 2030 No. 1788-r, dated July 4, 2023; FAO documents, etc.). Given that the Northwestern Federal District specializes in dairy farming, it is of particular importance to improve the system of cattle feeding, forage production and forage harvesting in the region. Enzymatic and probiotic preparations in animal feeding, microbial growth-stimulating preparations, and biopesticides represent an environmentally safe way to improve the agro-industrial complex. In modern geopolitical conditions, with a high level of sanctions pressure on Russia, the need to develop domestic biological products and their implementation is becoming more obvious. One of the tasks for Vologda Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences (VolRC RAS) in such conditions is to implement research projects related to ensuring economic growth and sustainable development of territories based on the use of biotechnology achievements. In this regard, in December 2018, a laboratory for bioeconomics and sustainable development was created at VolRC RAS. During the six years of the laboratory's existence, its team has carried out significant work on the development of this research area. The aim of the article is to analyze and summarize the experience of conducting research on the use of biological drugs that, when being used in the agro-industrial complex, can contribute to addressing the issue of food security. As part of the work, the laboratory's research results have been disseminated on the territory of the Vologda Region: the potential economic effect of using the technology on the entire dairy livestock of the Vologda Region can reach 1.1 billion rubles annually.