Thriving Agribusiness: Empowerment of Ural Farmers through Government Aid
In the picturesque village of Gryaznovskoe under Bogdanovich and the Talitsky municipal district of the Sverdlovsk region, two family farms are making a significant impact on the local agricultural landscape. These farms, owned by Nurlan Kulberdinov and Andrey Kunkin, are not only contributing to the region's food production but also showcasing the potential for success in Russian family farming.
Denis Pasler, the regional governor, has recognised this potential and allocated almost 220 million rubles this year to support farmers and agricultural cooperatives in the region. This support is evident in the success stories of Nurlan Kulberdinov and Andrey Kunkin.
Nurlan Kulberdinov and his wife, Tatyana, moved from the city to the countryside and transformed their private homestead into a family farm (KFH). Their hard work and dedication have paid off, with their farm receiving a grant of 30 million rubles to develop their livestock farm. The farm's milk is supplied to the Talitsky Milk Plant and has won several awards at the All-Russian Agricultural-Industrial Exhibition "Golden Autumn", including a bronze medal in 2022 and a silver in 2024.
Andrey Kunkin started his farming journey by growing potatoes, which he has since expanded to raising cattle. He registered as an individual entrepreneur and head of a family farm in 2013 and has since received grants totalling 49.8 million rubles from the regional Ministry of Agriculture in 2018 and 2022 to develop his livestock farm. Today, his farm employs an additional 30 people apart from family members, has 450 heads of cattle, with 250 milking, and produces nearly a ton of milk daily.
Both farms demonstrate effective farm management and modernisation, adopting modern agricultural technologies and efficient management practices. Their milk production processes are fully automated, with computer programs monitoring diet, health, milk yields, and milk quality. They also diversify their farm activities, engaging in agriculture and related activities such as agritourism with an educational focus, offering hotel complexes, conference halls, and classes for schoolchildren, students, and colleagues from various regions.
The success of these family farms is also attributed to their strong local support and access to markets. Having good connections to regional markets and possibly cooperative support enhances their sales opportunities. Moreover, they both have benefited from governmental support programs aimed at rural development, such as the grants they have received.
The story of Nurlan Kulberdinov and Andrey Kunkin serves as a testament to the potential for success in family farming in the Sverdlovsk region. Their farms not only contribute to the local economy but also provide jobs for local villagers and are open to taking on student interns. As the regional governor continues to support farmers and agricultural cooperatives, it is hoped that more success stories will emerge, further strengthening the agricultural sector in the region.
Nurlan Kulberdinov and Andrey Kunkin, apart from their contributions to agriculture and the local economy, have also ventured into sports. Nurlan Kulberdinov's farm, known for its award-winning milk, sponsors the local sports club, facilitating sports activities in the village of Gryaznovskoe. Meanwhile, Andrey Kunkin, who employs an additional 30 people on his farm, has started a sports program for his workers, encouraging physical activities and teamwork within his farming community.
