Identification of the main problems and challenges in the field of digital transformation in agriculture: the role and place of small business

Abstract

Digital transformation in agriculture is becoming more and more relevant and an integral part of the development of the industry in the modern world. One of the key concepts in this context is the digital maturity of agriculture, which reflects the level of application of digital technologies and innovations in the field.  This indicator not only determines the competitiveness of individual enterprises, but also affects the overall efficiency and sustainability of the entire industry. The introduction of digital technologies in agriculture helps to increase labor productivity, optimize processes, improve product quality, and reduce the negative impact on the environment. However, in order to successfully realize the potential of digital transformation, it is necessary to take into account a number of factors affecting the development of digital maturity in agriculture. Currently, a fairly large number of factors can be identified that influence the achievement of an optimal level of digital maturity. The “Dynamic rating of the digital transformation of the agro-industrial complex” has been formed in the Russian Federation, which is a tool for monitoring factors and operational management of measures and processes of digital transformation of the agro-industrial complex at the level of subjects of the Russian Federation and individual agricultural producers. However, the rating does not reflect the digital maturity of all participants in agricultural production, as indicators of small business entities do not participate in the formation of the rating, which, in our opinion, distorts the real situation. In this context, it is important to analyze the key aspects of digital maturity, identify priority areas of development and develop recommendations for the effective introduction of digital technologies into agriculture. This is the only way to ensure the sustainable and innovative development of the agricultural sector, contributing to its competitiveness in the global market