PROSPECTS FOR THE USE OF NATURAL GAS MOTOR FUEL IN AGRICULTURE IN THE CONTEXT OF ENHANCING ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This paper provides a systematic review and critical synthesis of Russian and international studies on the use of natural gas motor fuel (compressed natural gas, CNG, and liquefied natural gas, LNG) in agriculture as a means of reducing operating costs and environmental pressure within the sustainable development agenda. The empirical analysis relies on official Rosstat statistics on the stock of key categories of agricultural machinery in Russia for 2019–2024 and includes the calculation of growth rates and structural ratios. The results indicate a decline in the fleets of tractors, cultivators, and forage harvesters, alongside relative stabilization in the grain harvester segment, suggesting heterogeneous patterns of capital renewal. To assess the potential for technological upgrading, the study proposes a Fleet Technical Readiness Index (0–1) and a scenario-based evaluation of its increase under accelerated renewal supported by preferential leasing and subsidies. Provisions of the Russian Natural Gas Motor Fuel Market Development Concept through 2035 are used to interpret targets for machinery production and infrastructure expansion. The findings show that even limited adoption of natural gas motor fuel in 2024 was associated with a measurable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and lower fuel expenditures, confirming the climatic and economic relevance of this pathway. Key scaling barriers include infrastructure constraints in agricultural regions, the need for qualified maintenance, and risks related to component dependence and methane leakage along the supply chain.