On February 18, 2026, the State Duma Committee on Agrarian Issues held parliamentary hearings on the topic: “Strategic directions for the development of the agro-industrial complex in modern conditions of sanctions pressure”.
The parliamentary hearings were attended by deputies of the State Duma, State Secretary – Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation M.I. Uvaidov, Auditor of the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation S.V. Mamedov, Deputy Chairman of the Board of JSC “Rosselkhozbank” D.V. Konstantinov, representatives of federal agencies and departments, academicians of the Russian Academy of Sciences, heads of agricultural enterprises, peasant farms and personal subsidiary plots, as well as representatives of scientific and educational organizations, industry agrarian unions and media.
Among others, the event was attended by members of Rosagropromsoyuz, the RSPP Commission on the Agro-Industrial Complex and Food Security.
Participants in the parliamentary hearings discussed topical issues related to the transformation of agriculture, the development of crop production and animal husbandry, the role of science and education, agricultural machinery manufacturing in the development of the industry, and the strategic tasks of the agro-industrial complex in modern conditions.
Opening the parliamentary hearings, the Chairman of the Committee on Agrarian Issues, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences V.I. Kashin, announced the unanimous adoption by deputies of all factions of the State Duma Resolution “On the Appeal of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation “To the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation M.V. Mishustin on the comprehensive development of rural agglomerations in the Russian Federation”.
Vladimir Kashin emphasized: “The topic of the parliamentary hearings is a logical continuation of the appeal adopted by the State Duma to the Prime Minister. In the context of the prevailing external political and economic factors, sanctions against our country – the agricultural sector of the economy is one of the drivers of the country's economic development. Strengthening the country's food security, import substitution and supporting domestic agricultural producers are focused on key priorities: management of soil, genetic and technological resources, as well as issues of developing domestic breeding and seed production, animal husbandry, digital transformation, agricultural machinery manufacturing and other equally important areas. The committee's deputies pay special attention to supporting small and medium-sized farms, which are the basis for sustainable rural development, the development of agricultural cooperation and the sale of farm products.”
Vladimir Kashin also noted that another important priority for the industry is the growth of energy availability: “For a number of years, the energy supply of agricultural producers of all forms of ownership has remained at about 155 horsepower per 100 hectares, which negatively affects the efficiency of the agricultural sector. High key interest rates and rising equipment costs led to a 35% decrease in the volume of new agricultural machinery and equipment purchases in certain categories in 2025.
I am confident, and scientists and academicians support me, that it is impossible to achieve high results in the technical equipment of the industry without professional personnel and scientific support. And therefore, a special emphasis in the committee's work is placed on legislative support for the development of domestic breeding and seed production, to ensure the independence of the agricultural sector from foreign suppliers of seeds and breeding material.”
In his report, the chairman of the agrarian committee V.I. Kashin elaborated on the issues of implementing the State Program for involving agricultural land in circulation and strengthening control over the implementation of program activities, as well as applying the mechanism for seizing land plots not used for their intended purpose. “Together we will advance our agrarian projects, our cause is promising, and most importantly – Victory will always be ours!” – said Vladimir Kashin, Chairman of the Committee on Agrarian Issues, concluding the parliamentary hearings.
Following the discussion, the participants of the parliamentary hearings adopted recommendations as a basis, which will be finalized at the Committee on Agrarian Issues, taking into account proposals received from representatives of federal executive bodies, legislative and supreme executive bodies of state power of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, scientific organizations, industry unions of the agro-industrial complex and agricultural producers.