Areas of Crisis in Russian Agriculture: A Geographic Perspective

Two geographers with extensive experience in assessing developments in Russian agriculture and rural issues focus on changes in regional patterns of agricultural output during the 1990s. Patterns of soil fertility (bioclimatic potential) and urbanization are proposed as spatial factors that have long affected agricultural output in Russia, and their impacts are juxtaposed with aspatial elements of agrarian reform policy introduced at the national level. Attitudinal and structural characteristics affecting the propensity to adopt reform provide a framework for identifying differences between Russia's Chernozem and Nonchernozem regions. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: O18, Q10, Q15. 5 tables, 6 figures, 33 references.