During the ongoing Digital Industry of Industrial Russia 2024 (CIPR-2024) conference, Uralchem – an official partner of the event – held its session called “New opportunities for the agricultural industry created by the transition to data economy”. The participants of the session discussed the progress of transformation of the agro-industrial complex, sectoral implications created by the transition to data economy, and possible solutions to agricultural digitisation issues. The meeting was attended by officials from relevant ministries, experts in agricultural and industrial digitisation, and representatives of leading developers of digital solutions. The session was moderated by Anna Nenakhova, the General Director of Uralchem Innovation, a subsidiary of Uralchem.

At its conference stand, Uralchem Group presented its latest developments in fertiliser production and agronomic expertise. Participants of CIPR-24 were able to learn about products made by Uralchem and Uralkali, and solutions offered by Uralchem’s specialised subsidiaries – UralITech and Digital Agro. In particular, demonstrations were made of a proprietary mining and geological information system, which creates a digital model of a mining operation; an AI-based digital agronomical twin, an innovative tool that collects, analyses, and models agricultural data; DA.Assistant, a web application that collects real-time field data; and VR simulators.

Natalya Farafonova, Head of Corporate Marketing Department at Uralchem:

The digital agronomical twin is an innovative tool for efficient collection, analysis, and modelling of agricultural data. It can answer a wide range of crop farming questions and provide crucial guidance on plant nutrition and cultivation, fertiliser application techniques and rates, soil treatment and other aspects. In particular, it can identify a plant disease from a photograph. This product seamlessly integrated a number of advanced technologies including a chat bot, generative artificial intelligence, large language models, and visual content creation.

Nikita Popov, General Director of UralITech:

Digital transformation is a vital element of Uralchem Group’s efforts to increase its operational efficiency. We realise that in the current highly competitive environment a key to success is the ability to introduce leading digital technologies. Our teams are made by very competent business and digitisation experts, and this enables us to efficiently address issues of any complexity and to maintain our market leadership. A good example of what we have achieved is the VR simulators, which we use for training of operating personnel in Uralchem, and the mining and geological system, which is actively used in Uralkali. These solutions have been rated highly by the Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and we see a strong interest from the industry players.

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Digital Industry of Industrial Russia (CIPR) is among the largest and most representative digital economy events in Russia. It is a platform where experts can discuss new initiatives and proposals for the digital transportation of the society and key sectors of national economy. Each year, the conference gathers members of the Russian Government, heads of relevant ministries, and representatives of the business community.