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COURSE ON RUSSIAN
AGRICULTURE and AGRIFOOD
at MOSCOW STATE UNIVERSITY
The collapse of Communism in the former Soviet Union
and East and Central Europe opens up enormous opportunities
and challenges in the field of agriculture, both for
Canada and for the University of Guelph. Given the similarities
between agricultural conditions in Canada and those
in the former Soviet Area, Canadian experience and Canadian
technology can play an important role in solving the
pressing problems of agriculture in the Former Soviet
Union. Yet few Canadian agricultural specialists have
much knowledge of these countries. Students are not
trained in the problems of agriculture in this area.
Canadian agribusinesses are not much aware of opportunities
existing there.
- Why should Canada do business with Russia in agrifood?
- What are the similarities and differences between
Russian and Canadian farming systems?
- Does Russia have an agrarian policy?
- What is the impact of recent political changes on
rural life and agricultural production in Russia?
- Who owns the land in Russia? - perspectives for
private farming?
- What role does Russia play in the world agro-economy?
- Striking similarity of Canada-Russia agro-environment
and opportunities.
- Can Canada profit from Russian farming experience?
- Business and investment climate in different parts
of Russia.
- Natural background for export of Canadian agricultural
technologies.
TOPICS INCLUDED:
Historical background, organizational differences among
the various forms of Russian agricultural production,
processing and distribution. Emerging forms of agricultural
production and distribution. Implications of the agrarian
reforms on rural community social structures. Quality
of rural Russian life. Relative income, educational
and recreational opportunities of rural compared with
urban Russia. Impacts of different economic and market
structures and organizational forms on the biophysical
environment.
Field trips to different types of farms, rich cultural
program and sightseeing.
one day trips in the vicinity of Moscow, 2 day trip
to Puschino - 100 km south of Moscow, with the visit
to agrochemistry stationary, national state preserve,
etc., three day trip to Suzdal, Vladimir, Yuriev Polsky
200 km east of Moscow. Visit to a large state agricultural
enterprise together with individual farms and agri-cooperatives.
The main aim of the field trips is to see different
types of agricultural enterprises, and become familiar
with different crop and animal production systems. A
strong cultural component is included in all field trips,
including visits to the most famous ancient core centres
of Russian civilization.
One-month, one semester credit
by letter of permission to the Faculty of Soil Science
at Moscow State University. Approximate all-inclusive
cost: $2600 (course, accommodations & meals, cultural
program, English-speaking Russian student guides, round-trip
flight)
Full semester (15 weeks) 5
semester credits): Agriculture course + Fall
semester Russian language program.
Approximate cost: $5,000 (course, accommodations &
meals, cultural program, English-speaking Russian student
guides, round-trip flight)
For further information contact: Prof. Fred Eidlin Deptartment
of Political Science, University of Guelph, Guelph,
Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1 (519) 824-4120, ext. 3469. feidlin@uoguelph.ca
www.interuniversity.com,
or www.fadr.msu.ru
Dr. Alexander O. Makeev, Director, Foundation for Agrarian
Development Research, Moscow University, Science Park,
building 1, Vorobyovy Goru, Moscow, Russia, tel/fax:
(7-095) 932-9195, e-mail: makeev@fadr.msu.ru
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