REINDEER HUSBANDRY IN THE NENETS AUTONOMOUS OKRUG: PARADIGM SHIFTS

Abstract

The era of accelerating globalization and urbanization has necessitated adaptations in Arctic economic systems. Among the key factors are the active industrial development of Arctic regions, social and cultural shifts among the indigenous peoples of the North, and changes in the modern market. The reindeer husbandry sector developed against the backdrop of collectivization in the 1930s and market reforms in the 1990s. This study aims to analyze shifts in the economic model of contemporary reindeer husbandry in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (NAO) within the context of global transformations. The research novelty lies in examining the evolutionary transition of reindeer herding farms to a new management system during the Soviet period and investigating the factors influencing its effectiveness. While management improvements resulted in a profound restructuring of the mindset of reindeer herders, the onset of political reforms resulted in the shift to market relations and the upheaval of the industry during the crisis-ridden years of perestroika. The ensuing decline stemmed from the disintegration of the economic system and the government’s not being ready to search for the right economic reforms. By employing the principal component method, the study identified two primary factors impacting the unstable nature of meat production: the number of reindeer per herder and the proportion of adult female reindeer in the herd. In farms facing challenges such as understaffing, low morale, or a high percentage of inexperienced workers, caution should be exercised in adopting advanced techniques. This involves adjusting the reindeer load per herder, managing larger herds, and increasing the number of adult female reindeer in the herd. An individual approach and an analysis of previous years’ work are crucial to prevent negative trends in production indicators such as the number of calves, adult livestock preservation, and unforeseen loss prevention. Promising directions for future research include an analysis of the effectiveness of support programs for reindeer herding farms, encompassing both subsidies and trainings for young professionals in the industry.

Keywords

• arctic
• nenets autonomous okrug
• reindeer husbandry economics
• indigenous peoples of the north
• management system
• reindeer meat production and processing