In-field and remote operational support in Siberia
FGM International was contracted by a Russian agricultural company to provide technical assistance for the rehabilitation of an abandoned grain and cereal farm. The client also required assistance to design its expansion from 1 200 ha to reach 25 000 ha within two years.
The challenge
The challenge was to progress from a failed and abandoned project to the eventual productive farming of 150 000 ha through a series of incremental development stages.
FGM results
Although FGM was mobilised at the very last moment and during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company was able to initiate a timely project restart which led to successful high scale-up implementation.
Farm Design
In order to balance initial CapEx and OpEx requirements and optimise the timing of the investment required for the coming large-scale expansion, FGM International managed the judicious use of local resources. The preliminary redesign of the farm covered the following:
- Advice on base camp design and development,
- Recommendations on infrastructure needed on the farm (workshop, grain storage, offices and other related structures),
- Drawing up infrastructure plans,
- Provision of equipment list suitable for large-scale farming and in line with the selected farming model.
Remote assistance
- Review of field status by analysis of data sets (pictures, videos) provided by the local team for the various crops e.g. rapeseed, wheat, barley, oat, flax, buckwheat),
- Monitoring of field operations and farm activities through online recording and tracking,
- Monitoring of weather data using an online weather station and updating of the operation plan accordingly,
- Delivery of monthly progress notes with comprehensive findings and recommendations.
Large-scale operations performed with the technical support of our team
Operational support
- Recommendations on field activities schedule and adjustment of agronomic practices,
- Evaluation of team capacities and in-field training,
- Review and adjustment of practices for soil reclamation (ploughing, discing…),
- Assessment of equipment status and infrastructure,
- Evaluation of quality of operations and subsequent recommendations given on site,
- Control of logistical optimization and organization of operations.
Provided services in the frame of this project
Russia
7 experts
2020
6 Months
1200 ha
Theros
Assigned competencies
- Agronomists
- Agro-economists
- International Senior Experts
- Regional Senior Expert
- Interpreter
