1. Establishment of a Laboratory for Microclonal Propagation of Domestic Potato Varieties
Potato is a staple food crop. A key objective under state programs for agricultural development and integrated rural development in Russia is to ensure the nation's food security. Currently, domestic seed potatoes account for only 9.7% of the market. This figure must be increased to 50% by 2025. While 109.8 thousand tons of potatoes were produced in the republic in 2021, with a self-sufficiency rate of 91%, the share of domestic varieties remains minimal. Original seeds constitute just 5-7%, with the remainder being low-quality, mass-reproduced material.
Project Goal: Establish a laboratory for the microclonal propagation of domestic potato varieties in the Republic of Buryatia.
Primary Objective: To provide agricultural producers and the population of the republic with high-quality potato planting material.
Expected Outcomes:
- Provision of high-quality potato planting material for agricultural producers and the population.
- Conducting research on plant microclonal propagation.
- Production of healthy planting material for commercial potato cultivation in environmentally clean conditions.
- Development of competitive technologies for the regional potato farming sector.
2. Development of New Breeding Lines for Cattle and Sheep of Local Selection to Enhance Meat Productivity
Through targeted breeding work, including sire testing and progeny evaluation, two new lines each of cattle and sheep will be developed. This will lead to the formation of high-productivity breeding herds with desirable traits. The offspring from these herds will be in demand by agricultural producers of all categories to strengthen and improve the breeding base for the Kalmyk cattle breed and the Buryat coarse-wool sheep breed in the Republic of Buryatia. Consequently, an increase in the population of high-productivity breeds and types of domestic selection created within the project is anticipated.
Project Goal: Create new breeding lines for cattle and sheep of local selection to increase meat productivity.
Project Objectives:
- Define target productivity standards.
- Create new cattle and sheep lines and form high-productivity breeding herds.
- Prepare materials for testing and submit an application for the approval of the breeding achievement.
3. Establishment of a Full-Cycle Production Complex for Processing Industrial Hemp
Hemp is a valuable crop used for food (seeds), paper, clothing, footwear, ropes, cords, twines (stems contain durable fibers), and hemp oil. Hemp meal is a valuable animal feed. Historically, Russian hemp farming was a world leader for centuries, providing employment in rural areas and significant foreign currency earnings for the state budget.
Researchers from the Buryat State Agricultural Academy have conducted field trials cultivating the 'Glyana' and 'Nadezhda' industrial hemp varieties in districts of the Republic of Buryatia. Studies included optimal sowing times and seeding rates, analyses of THC content in plants, and yield determination.
Project Goal: Create a full-cycle agricultural enterprise for processing industrial hemp.
Expected Outcomes:
Development and implementation of deep processing technology for industrial hemp to produce:
- Kraft paper
- Hemp oil
- Insulation materials
- Hempcrete (hemp-based concrete)
- Modern composite materials
- Food products (hemp flour, sports nutrition products)
- Dietary supplements (BAA)
