The Projects of Agricultural Diversity (The Lower Volga Region, the Kalmyk Region and the German Republic in the 20–30-s of the 20th c.)
Abstract
Introduction. The analysis of agricultural diversity projects made on the materials of studies in the Lower Volga region, the Kalmyk Region and the German Republic allows to solve 2 problems. Firstly, it defines the possibilities of expanding the species of industrial crops, medicinal and aromatic herbs. Secondly, it suggests the idea to increase the distribution of certain farmlands (namely of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain) by means of elaborating the directions of their development. The article contains the results of research works performed during the 20–30s of the 20th century on the territory of current Astrakhan, Volgograd, Saratov regions and the Republic of Kalmykia. The work evaluates the opportunities of using these territories for increasing gross regional product. Methods and materials. The methods of the research: the principles of historicism and objectivity, analysis, synthesis, the historical and genetic method, the systematic approach. The works of N.I. Anisimov, V.P. Danilov, V.A. Ilinykh and others study collectivization, strengthening of agricultural material and technical resources. Since 90s of the 20th century the representatives of non-historical sciences have been studying the conditions of flora in different regions of Russia, the specifics of economic use of unique natural objects. Analysis. The article gives the analysis of projects on cultivating new species of industrial, medicinal, aromatic crops, sericulture. The paper considers the plans of developing the Volga-Akhtuba flood plain as well. Using the previous experience improves modern developments. Results. The authors came to the conclusion on the possibility of cultivating new industrial crops (sunflower, mustard, linen, tobacco, hemp, cotton, soy, castor bean, kenaf, peanut, poppy), medicinal and aromatic herbs and carried out zoning of planting, including with ensuring the complex use of the Volga-Akhtuba flood plain. An increased acreage for sericulture was planned. The population was distrustful to plans for cultivating new cultures. This was due to the lack of knowledge in agronomy and errors in the choice of planting material. The productivity became lower than at pilot farms. The reduction in research financing did not give the chance to overcome these negative factors. Besides, obtaining good results demanded irrigation, which passed in the Lower Volga region in the middle of the 20th century. Now using specified developments can become one of the directions of developing the agriculture of the Lower Volga region as the problems of conducting agriculturalproduction stated above become more surmountable on current material and technical resources. Earlier the crops under consideration were grown up in Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan. Now these states are independent, so it is reasonable to produce a larger range of agricultural products in Russian regions to improve food security.
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