The problem of the rural population decline in the north-east of the Leningrad Region is acute. In the period from 2014 to 2024, the population of Volkhovsky District decreased from 95 thousand to 78.9 thousand people, Boksitogorsky District – from 51.9 thousand to 50.9 thousand people, Podporozhsky District – from 30.7 thousand to 25 thousand people, Lodeynopolsky District – from 29 thousand to 27 thousand people, Tikhvinsky District – from 70.7 thousand to 65.8 thousand people. Main features of these territories are large distance from St. Petersburg, less developed social infrastructure, low wages, as well as the large number of settlements with their population up to 50 people.

The maximum use of unique features of these territories may change the situation with the population decline at the north-east of the Region.

There are more than 10 monasteries and hermitages, a large number of rivers and lakes, and the Vepsi, a small Finno-Ugric people having their original culture, traditions and own language, ancient crafts and samples of wooden architecture. There is the unique Veps Forest, the Nizhnesvirsky Nature Reserve, and a relict juniper grove.

Besides, since 2009, the rural development program has been operating in the Leningrad Region. In the period from 2009 to 2022, 1,707 families improved their living conditions, 40 health care facilities were put into operation, 24 physical education and sports facilities, eight educational facilities were built and renovated. During this period, 362 km of gas supply pipeline network, 59 km of water supply pipeline network were built, 248 km of roads to facilities of agricultural enterprises were repaired. In 2023, the integrity program was expanded. It has included new items, such as promoting employment for the rural population, developing transport infrastructure, improving the standard and quality of life, given modern requirements and standards, and others.

The review of state support measures for farms in the Leningrad Region shows that in the period from 2021 to 2023, their number in the Region decreased by 25%. Meanwhile, amounts of products manufactured increases, which is associated with the process of consolidating farms. By certain types of agricultural products, they provide from a quarter to a third of the total amount. This is quite a serious force in terms of production capacity.

The amount of grant support for farmers increased by 173% from 2019 to 2023, but funding for novice farmers decreased. In 2023, in the Leningrad Region, the share of farms to receive state support was 28.4%. It cannot be said that this is significantly lower than the national indicator, but in developed countries, participation in state programs ranges from 60% to 90%, depending on the country. The positive trend is emergence of agricultural consumer cooperatives among the recipients of the budget financing.

At present, it is necessary to increase the number of novice farmers who receive state support and expand their involvement in such programs. Moreover, it is important to promote development of the cooperative movement, and formation of concentrated arrangement of the farms engaged in similar activities. The support amounts must exceed inflation by a level, with priority to be given to the projects in remote territories.

The organizer of the AgroForum «Young Scientists and Active Youth. Development of the Agroindustrial Complex, Rural Tourism and Rural Areas» is ANO «SoBytie», in partnership with St. Petersburg State Agricultural University, St. Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation, and the Russian Union of Rural Youth. The AgroForum is held with the support of the Committee on Youth Policy and Interaction with Public Organizations.