Status and prospects of implementing digital technologies for cultivating agricultural crops under the changing climate (using Altai Krai as an example)

Abstract

The article presents the evaluating the current adoption and future trajectory of smart farming solutions for crop management amidst shifting climatic patterns in Altai Krai. As evidenced by comprehensive analyses, no crop production system can fully neutralize the impact of weather variability. Examination of the last six solar activity cycles reveals a pronounced upward trend in both mean annual air temperature and total precipitation across the region, accompanied by substantial interannual variability. Notably, over the past six years, a statistically significant shift in precipitation patterns has been observed, with a greater proportion of rainfall occurring toward the end of the growing season and in increased volumes. May exhibits the highest amplitude of fluctuations in both temperature and precipitation. Such climatic instability poses considerable challenges for the timely and high-quality implementation of agronomic operations within optimal technological windows. As a consequence, substantial yield losses and deterioration in grain quality are frequently recorded. When compounded by pronounced volatility in grain markets, these factors markedly elevate the economic risks threatening farm sustainability. This raises a critical question: how can the agroclimatic potential of agricultural enterprises be accurately assessed, and how can an efficient land-use system be established under such conditions? The answer lies in the integration of digital technologies into agricultural management systems. Over recent years, the region has progressively implemented a digital meteorological data service supported by a network of more than 100 in-field soil–weather stations. This infrastructure enables real-time monitoring and analysis of crop growth conditions, facilitates prompt managerial decision-making, and supports the rational design of cropping patterns, crop rotations, and cultivation technologies. In the longer term, it also provides a foundation for predictive modeling of crop production. Concurrently, differentiated application technologies for seeds and fertilizers have been developed and deployed based on prescription maps and field productivity zoning. These approaches ensure the most efficient utilization of the agroclimatic potential of individual field segments and their integrated management units, ultimately enhancing crop productivity. A substantial body of research has focused on optimizing integrated plant nutrition systems incorporating biological products. High efficacy of such biostimulants and biofertilizers has been demonstrated when applied in combination with mineral fertilizers and tailored to field-specific soil fertility zones. Ongoing research also addresses site-specific crop protection strategies, including weed, pest, and disease identification through computer vision technologies. These systems are implemented via both ground-based platforms and unmanned aerial vehicles. The integration of these digital solutions combined with advanced machinery, innovative tillage practices, improved cultivars and seeds, balanced fertilization systems, modern crop protection products, and adequate financial resources creates the conditions necessary to ensure the long-term economic resilience and sustainable development of agricultural enterprises.