The 28th International Scientific and Practical Forum "Agrarian Science for Agricultural Production in the CIS and BRICS", dedicated to the memory of the RAS Academician A.S. Donchenko, is in progress at the SFSCA RAS.
More than 500 scientists from various regions of Russia, along with the guests from Mongolia and the CIS countries, are participating in various formats. The work is being carried out in nine thematic sections, covering the entire spectrum of the issues related to the development of the agro-industrial complex and agricultural science at the present stage.
Prominent Russian scientists, politicians, heads of research organizations, and diplomats addressed the Forum participants with welcoming addresses. Opening the 28th International Scientific and Practical Forum "Agrarian Science for Agricultural Production in the CIS and BRICS," Kirill Golokhvast, Director of the Siberian Federal Scientific Centre of Agro-BioTechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Education, recalled the key milestones of the scientific work of the RAS Academician Alexander Donchenko and his contributions to science.
“The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences is the largest regional division of the Academy. Its territory of responsibility covers approximately 11 million square kilometers—more than the territory of any country except Russia. These are almost all agricultural and climatic zones of the country, recalled the Chairman of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vice President of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Academician Valentin Nikolaevich Parmon. Despite the harsh climate, grain yields in Siberia have reached the level of typical European yields in recent years. This is a huge achievement of the academic research and those who apply it in practice. In a world experiencing geopolitical turbulence, developing the technological sovereignty of the industrial complex of the friendly CIS and BRICS countries is becoming increasingly important. “Food security is our priority. If we can't feed our populations, countries will disappear", Academician Alexander Semenovich Donchenko once said. Therefore, I consider the work of the Forum to be very timely and important. I congratulate the participants on its opening and wish them fruitful discussions,” concluded Valentin Nikolaevich Parmon.
Aleksandr Karelin, a member of the Federation Council from the Novosibirsk Region, addressed the Forum participants with a welcoming speech. A government telegram sent to the organizing committee stated: "Dear Kirill Sergeyevich, dear friends! The Siberian Federal Scientific Centre of Agro-BioTechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences boasts a wealth of achievements, coordinating research at institutions in Siberia, the Urals, and the Far East, and actively participating in international and interdepartmental collaboration. Dedicating the 28th International Scientific and Practical Agricultural Forum to the memory of the eminent scientist and Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Alexander Donchenko, demonstrates the true connection between generations and eras, and respect for predecessors. I wish the forum participants engaging discussions, promising topics, preparation for new discoveries, immersion in the snowy hospitality of frosty Siberia, and a sense of the warmth of Russian hearts."
State Duma Deputy Renat Suleimenov sent a welcoming address: "On behalf of the State Duma Committee on Agrarian Issues and as a State Duma deputy, I welcome the participants of the 28th International Scientific and Practical Forum 'Agrarian Science for Agricultural Production in the CIS and BRICS' and the 2nd General Annual Meeting of Agricultural Research Institutes of Siberia, the Urals, and the Far East 'Modern Agrobiotechnology for Sustainable Development of the Russian Agricultural Industry.' I wish you fruitful work, new discoveries, and the achievement of your goals. May the experience of these events become the foundation for future achievements. Good luck in your work."
President of the Tajik Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Academician of the Tajik Academy of Agricultural Sciences Salimzoda Amonullo Faizullo noted the enormous influence of Academician Alexander Semenovich Donchenko's work on the development of the scientific school of the Central Asian states, as well as many areas of scientific thought that led to a number of discoveries that made it possible to solve important problems of increasing soil fertility and livestock safety: "His methodological approaches and organizational work contributed to the development of agricultural science, the training of specialists, and the strengthening of ties between Russia and the CIS countries," the President of the Tajik Academy of Agricultural Sciences emphasized.
According to Professor Almazbek Shukurbaevich Irgashev, First Vice-Rector of the Kyrgyz National Agrarian University named after K. I. Skryabin, Academician Alexander Semenovich Donchenko's work on strengthening fundamental research, developing agricultural production, and establishing scientific schools has become the cornerstone of agricultural science in the region. With the support of Academician Donchenko, the first meeting of the working group on the creation of a joint agrobiotechnology laboratory was held in July 2025 at the Institute of Biotechnology of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic. The joint work of the research centers in Russia and the Kyrgyz Republic can serve as an example of the effective integration of science and production, as well as the sustainable development of the Eurasian agro-industrial complex.
Consul General of the Kyrgyz Republic in Novosibirsk Aibek Akmatbekovich Aidarbekov thanked the leadership of the Siberian Federal Scientific Center of Agrobiotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences for maintaining an important tradition of scientific dialogue. He recalled that Academician Alexander Semenovich Donchenko was elected an honorary professor at the Kyrgyz National Agrarian University named after K. I. Skryabin for his outstanding scientific achievements and made a significant contribution to veterinary education in the Kyrgyz Republic. "His work has strengthened ties between scientists in the CIS, his legacy lives on in every farm, and his work is continued by the talented students he mentored," Aibek Akmatbekovich Aidarbekov noted.
"Today, agricultural science plays a key role in ensuring food security, in terms of developing rural products and adapting agriculture to global challenges such as climate change, soil degradation, natural resource scarcity, and population decline," said Saidamir Kalandarov, Attaché of the Consulate General of the Republic of Tajikistan in Novosibirsk. “In these conditions, the consolidation of scientific potential in our countries and administrative technology are of particular importance. Modern agricultural technologies have been actively introduced in Tajikistan recently, programs are being implemented to increase crop yields, rational use of land and other resources, development of horticulture, seed production and processing of agricultural products. We will maintain cooperation with scientific and educational institutions in the CIS and BRICS countries, including in the areas of personnel training, joint research, and the implementation of innovative projects. I am confident that this forum will become an effective platform for developing practical recommendations aimed at implementing scientific advances in the real economy and will also contribute to strengthening ties between our countries."
Leonid Nikolaevich Vladimirov, President of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Sakha-Yakutia, called Academician Alexander Semenovich Donchenko an outstanding scientist who pioneered the development of agricultural and veterinary science in the region. Thanks to his work, tuberculosis in animals was completely eliminated, and residents were able to obtain high-quality, safe food.
Forum participants were welcomed by Gennady Guselnikov, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Interregional Association for Economic Cooperation of the Subjects of the Russian Federation "Siberian Agreement," Vladimir Azarenko, Academician-Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, and Adama Traore, President of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Mali.
"Food security is a priority for governments of all countries," emphasized the Director of the SFSCA RAS. "Today, the SFSCA RAS and the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences serve as key platforms for the development of agricultural science in Eurasia and beyond. We collect and promote ideas, formulate legislative initiatives, and create the conditions for the creation of high-performance technologies and production facilities. It's no coincidence that business representatives participate in the sections, who not only evaluate the work of scientists but also set new challenges for them. This year, the representatives from African countries are participating in the forum, demonstrating the global scale of the event and allowing us to formulate plans for further cooperation," emphasized Kirill Golokhvast.
During the plenary session, awards from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, as well as Certificates of Honor and Letters of Gratitude, were presented to a large group of Siberian scientists. The forum continued its work in the industry-specific sections.