Abandoned Areas of Agricultural Complexes in the Orenburg Region as a Consequence of Long-Term Reduction in Livestock Numbers

Abstract

The purpose is to study the abandoned areas of agro-industrial complexes and analyse the reduction in the number of productive animals in the Orenburg Region. Materials and methods. For the year 2022, 42 abandoned agricultural complexes located in 37 rural settlements were studied. The data of regional statistics on the number of farm animals and birds and their productivity for the period 1934- 2022 have been studied. Results and discussion. It was revealed that most of the abandoned agricultural infrastructure facilities occupy fl at plots with an average area of 18 ha and are located near settlements, road network, power lines and watercourses. The lack of use of agricultural infrastructure is detected on satellite images by their overgrowth with vegetation. The overall dynamics of the number of productive animals in the last two decades remains negative. Conclusions. The reduction in the number of farm animals in the Orenburg Region has resulted in the unclaimed use of signifi cant areas. The study of abandoned sites will allow to fi nd optimal ways of development and prospects of utilisation of unclaimed territories of the Orenburg Region in the future.