The Lipetsk region plans to increase agricultural productivity by introducing artificial intelligence into agricultural machinery

Yelets agricultural producers became the first participants in the “Smart Bread” digital development and education program.
it helps representatives of the agro-industrial complex learn about the basics of farm robotization and the introduction of artificial intelligence technologies into this area. As surveys show, it is the lack of information that hinders the rapid introduction of digital technologies into Russian crop production. The initiators of the Program are the United RUSSIA party and the leading industry association InterAgroTech. Businesses
are investing in the Smart Bread Program . The Russian AI developer, Cognitive Pilot, invested 42 million rubles in the Program. Managing partner of Cognitive Pilot Anton Emelyanov presented farmers with the principles of operation of smart tractors and combines. The Cognitive Agro Pilot autopilot can work in the field even without satellites: thanks to cameras on the roof, it sees the boundary of the cultivated area and drives the tractor exactly along it, the operator does not need to hold the steering wheel. As a result, output per shift increases by at least 20% due to savings in fuel, processing time, fertilizers, seeds and other resources. In addition, robotic vision protects equipment from accidents - the operator will be warned in advance about obstacles along the route: people, cars and poles. Agricultural enterprises saw examples of how autopilots work, got acquainted with user reviews, and received detailed answers to their questions. “Lipetsk agro-industrial complex is an innovative industry that is constantly modernizing. Thanks also to this, our small region demonstrates impressive achievements in agriculture and is among the TOP 15 entities ensuring the country’s food security. Unmanned agricultural technologies are a promising area that we want to develop. This will not only increase the efficiency of the agro-industrial complex, but also create a scientific platform and engage in research activities. And these are modern jobs for engineers and programmers – those professions that we are targeting our youth,” said Lipetsk Region Governor Igor Artamonov. In September, a site for testing and servicing unmanned agricultural machinery will open at the Yelets College of Innovative Technologies. Here they will train specialists working on “smart” tractors and combines. Students mastering the profession of tractor drivers will study the management and maintenance of agricultural machinery with AI. An agreement to create a test site was signed between the regional government, the largest supplier of agricultural equipment Lipetskoblsnab and Cognitive Pilot on July 25. The parties expect that the new partnership will bring agriculture to a new level of digitalization, increase labor productivity and reduce the role of the human factor in performing work. Until the end of August




In 2024 , another 15 educational events of the Smart Bread program will be held in the region, in which more than 500 representatives of agricultural enterprises in the region will take part. All seminars are free for participants. Based on their results, an information Internet resource will be formed with an accumulated knowledge base on the topics of modern precision farming technologies, digital solutions, AI technologies and robotization in the agro-industrial complex. Its development is planned to be completed by January 2025.