Plans are afoot for EkoNiva to strengthen its foothold in Ryazan oblast and invest in its economy. At St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, the holding’s President Stefan Dürr and the Governor of the region Pavel Malkov have signed an additional cooperation agreement.

The collaboration with the regional government dates back to 2018, when EkoNiva signed the first contract, followed by the second in 2023. This year’s document confirms the parties' intentions of joining efforts to further develop the region’s farming sector and specifies the conditions relating to the implementation of the investment projects. They also discussed plans for ramping up the raw milk production and increasing the crop area in Pitelino, Sasovo, Shatsk, Chuchkovo, Sarai and Aleksandro-Nevskiy districts of Ryazan oblast to provide succulent and rough fodder for the herd. In addition, the Group will keep participating in the Comprehensive Rural Development state programme to ensure housing for the employees working in the region.

Ryazan subdivision has been part of EkoNiva Group since 2017, represented by Oka Moloko company, which traces its history back to 2008. It is engaged in dairy farming, raw milk production, crop and seed growing. The company comprises four modern dairy farms with the technology of free-stall housing. The average herd size is 27,800 head, of which 13,000 are dairy cows. The Group also manages 101,500 hectares of farmland in seven districts of Ryazan oblast, growing cash crops, including winter and spring wheat, winter rye, barley, maize, buckwheat, peas, lentils, oil flax, sunflower and soya beans, as well as forage crops – maize for silage and fodder, alfalfa and annual grasses for haylage. Over 94,000 hectares was allocated for the 2025 harvest in Ryazan oblast. The company employs 1,550 people.

‘EkoNiva, one of the country’s largest agricultural holdings, is well represented in Ryazan oblast with four modern farms producing about 450 tonnes of raw milk per day. Together, we strive to develop the region’s agriculture, taking an integrated approach and creating comfortable conditions for the workers’, says the Governor Pavel Malkov.

‘EkoNiva intends to continue expanding its presence in Ryazan oblast, one of the Group’s key regions. We have already reached many goals, and the prospects for further development are also exciting. We are grateful to the local authorities and personally Pavel Malkov for supporting us all the way through’, notes Stefan Dürr, EkoNiva Group President.