Russia Loses Up to 2 Million Hectares of Land Each Year to Degradation

Land Degradation in Russia

According to Главком: Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) reports that between 1.5 and 2 million hectares of land degrade annually across the country. This deterioration results in the loss of nearly 4 million tons of agricultural output, measured in grain equivalents. The situation poses serious economic threats, with approximately 84 million hectares at risk of desertification. The hardest-hit regions include Dagestan, Astrakhan Oblast, Kuban, Rostov Oblast, and Kalmykia, where a desert spanning 3.2 million hectares has already formed.

Economic Fallout from Soil Decline

Over the past century, Russia's arable lands-including its prized black earth (chernozem) soils-have lost between 30% and 50% of their original humus content. Soil erosion alone inflicts annual damages of 25 billion rubles. These factors drive a steady drop in crop yields while raising costs for fertilizers, irrigation, land reclamation, and risk insurance.

Russian Academy of Sciences academician Andrey Ivanov remarked, 'There is no such thing as surplus land.'

Researchers recommend testing soils for fertility loss and reducing the book value of degraded lands to mount a more effective fight against degradation. According to the SVR, 'one of Russia's key resources... is gradually turning into a source of economic risk.' Given these findings, urgent measures to preserve and restore fertile lands are clearly needed.

The ongoing land degradation in Russia carries major consequences not only for agriculture but for the broader economy. Vast areas threatened by desertification could trigger socio-economic problems, including diminished food security. Experts argue that taking immediate action to improve soil health is critical for stabilizing the country's agricultural sector and reducing the economic risks tied to a potential food crisis.

The challenges posed by land degradation in Russia highlight the urgent need for effective land management strategies. In contrast, recent efforts in Ukraine have successfully returned large tracts of farmland to farmers after clearing mines, showcasing a proactive approach to restoring agricultural productivity in the region. Such initiatives could serve as valuable lessons for Russia as it grapples with its own issues of soil health and economic sustainability.