The rice fields of the Krasnodar region, known as Kuban, have once again demonstrated why this area is Russia’s rice powerhouse. In 2024, total rice production in Kuban reached an impressive 862,000 tonnes, up from 714,800 tonnes after processing in 2023. A key driver of this growth has been a strategic increase in the cultivation area, expanding by 7,400 hectares to a total of 117,400 hectares this year. This expansion defied initial plans of maintaining 110,000 hectares due to ongoing construction at the Fedorovsky hydro complex, which is critical for local irrigation.
Kuban’s rice farming success is supported by over 100 enterprises, ranging from large-scale agricultural companies to smaller farms. Rice is cultivated across eight key districts: Krasnodar, Abinsk, Kalininsky, Krasnoarmeisky, Krymsky, Seversky, Slavyansky, and Temryuk. Among these, Krasnoarmeisky, Kalininsky, and Slavyansky districts lead in acreage and output.
The region’s farmers rely on high-quality, domestically bred rice varieties developed by the Federal Rice Research Center in Krasnodar. This year, the most widely planted varieties included ‘Rapan 2’ (9.5% of total area), ‘Patriot’ (8.9%), ‘Apollo’ (8.7%), and several others in the medium- to late-maturing categories. This focus on regionally adapted varieties ensures higher resilience and productivity.
A successful rice harvest requires not only good seed but also efficient and modern agricultural machinery. In 2024, 738 combines were deployed to bring in the rice crop. However, harvesting is just the beginning. Proper storage and processing are crucial to maintain grain quality. The harvested rice is transported to one of three key elevators—Angelinsky, Poltavsky, and Starovelikovychsky—where it is stored and dried using 33 grain dryers, capable of handling up to 5,200 tonnes per day. The total storage capacity at these facilities is approximately 15,000 tonnes.
The achievements in Kuban’s rice sector are also celebrated through professional competitions recognizing the outstanding performance of farms and individuals. This year, OOO Kubris in Krasnoarmeisky district earned the title of best enterprise, achieving an extraordinary yield of 98.7 centners per hectare. Roman Kovalev, heading a farm enterprise in the same district, was recognized for achieving 96.2 centners per hectare on over 200 hectares. Exceptional performance was also seen from irrigation specialist Timofey Veter of OOO Kubris, who achieved a record yield of 110.7 centners per hectare on his managed fields.
Machinery operators also excelled, with tractor-combine operator Alexander Prokopenko harvesting over 4,930 tonnes of rice, while reaper operator Mikhail Grebenyuk from Agro-Alliance in Abinsk district mowed down nearly 539 hectares. In transportation, driver Alexey Kulish of OOO Kubris transported over 6,610 tonnes of rice from field to storage.
In recognition of these achievements, top performers received significant awards. Prizes included new “Niva” cars for the best tractor operators and a monetary bonus of 310,000 rubles for the best driver.
The Krasnodar region’s exceptional rice harvest in 2024 underscores the value of strategic area expansion, modern machinery, and dedicated agricultural professionals. As Kuban solidifies its status as the leader in Russian rice production, continued investments in infrastructure and seed development will be crucial to sustain and grow these impressive yields.
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