Vladimir Vladimirov began his report by discussing the agricultural sector’s performance in 2025. The Stavropol Territory produced a record harvest of over 10 million tonnes. The range of domestically bred varieties and seeds has grown five-fold. Although Russian farmers have always used domestic grain in cultivation, corn and beet seeds were imported in the past. The region currently produces its own beet seeds.
Answering the President’s question, Vladimir Vladimirov confirmed the local problem of desertification. Although he does not consider it critical, he acknowledged that it requires a solution. A relevant programme is currently in development. There is a promising proposal that requires further exploration: to offer long-term lease opportunities to farmers who invest heavily in deacidifying soil to enhance its fertility. He cited Argentina’s experience of leasing land to Saudi Arabia, which can restore soil over a 50-year harvesting period.
The spring of 2026 was challenging and rainy, with almost the mean annual rainfall occurring over the season. The Governor recalled a flood in 2017 when the territory received 6.2 billion rubles in assistance. Riverbeds were cleared. While 26,000 households were flooded in 2017, only 32 were affected last spring.
Vladimir Vladimirov also reported on the support for special military operation veterans and the work in the new territories, which have received almost 60 billion rubles in funding.
As far as the overall socioeconomic development is concerned, the Governor noted that, apart from housing completion in 2025, there has been growth in investment and the GRP.
Vladimir Putin also noted the growth of investment in the region. Vladimir Vladimirov confirmed that over the past ten years, investment volumes have been rising every year. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin issued an instruction to build five breakthrough projects in every region of the North Caucasus Federal District. Five such projects for the Stavropol Territory cover energy, tourism, agriculture, logistics, and the chemical cluster. Lukoil, EuroChem and Gazprom are involved in developing the chemical cluster. For example, Lukoil plans to build a new fertiliser plant with a capacity of 1.5 million tonnes.
Two of the five projects – in agriculture and logistics – have been completed. According to the Governor, investors have many plans for the tourist industry. In agriculture, the Stavropol Region is among Russia’s top five for apple production. Glasshouse vegetables are currently a lucrative opportunity for investors. Vladimir Vladimirov also reported on apple tree seedling exports to India, with 500,000 seedlings exported this year. The territory currently produces five million seedlings.