Meet Nikita Rossov, Russian SDG2 Youth Envoy

We take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the #FoodHeroes, who, despite the circumstances continue to supply food to local communities and the world, following the motto “Grow, nourish, sustain. Together".

Who are the #FoodHeroes? Our heroes are food workers – from farmers to drivers, store workers, grocery banks or government officials – who, despite a variety of challenges, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, continue to work hard to get food from farms to our table.

Russia also has its own #FoodHeroes, for example, Mr Nikita Rossov, SDG2 Youth Envoy for Russia for 2020-2021 under the national programme “SDGs Youth Envoys for Russia”.

Initially, the young farmer worked in the field of media – he was a videographer and producer, but then decided to devote himself to farming, so he opened his own cheese dairy in the Irkutsk region, which is over 5,000 kilometers to the east of Moscow.

About 90 percent of the world’s 570 million farms are owned and operated by families. Nikita came to farming in order to support family business. The young farmer keeps 30 fine-breed goats on his farm for more than a year. “Over the past year, we have grown from a small kitchen to a successful enterprise,” the young man, who was included in the lists of TOP-8 student entrepreneurs in Russia according to the Global Student Entrepreneurship Awards, told us.

Nikita admits that before the loan was repaid, he often had to take extra jobs to service the debt, but after its payment, farming became his main source of income. Even though agriculture is one of the riskiest types of business, the young entrepreneur is optimistic: “Business is not the area to be afraid of,” he concluded.

The story about how he found his passion and fully realized his potential Nikita shared with us during a visit to Moscow FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation.

– Nikita, what, in your opinion, attracts young people to agriculture?

– Young people in our region are not very keen on agriculture and I am working to resolve this issue. Currently, I am shooting a TV documentary "My Profession", which tells school students about the trades in demand in rural areas and answers FAQs, such as: how large is the salary, what skills are required and which educational institutions teach these skills and know-hows. Positions on offer are various: milkmaid, salesman, concrete plant worker, cheese maker and others.

If young people see that it is possible to build a career and lead a comfortable life in in the countryside, some of them will remain and, among other things, further on the development of agriculture. Engaging youth in rural areas is one of the key tools for achieving SDG2.

– What is your main achievement as a Youth Envoy for SDG2 in Russia?

– Establishing a food processing enterprise that promotes itself through the achievement of SDG2. Social projects such as humanitarian food aid, educational projects for rural youth, free tours of the enterprise, increase brand recognition and won loyalty among potential buyers. By our example, we show how effective “One good deed a day” marketing can be.

– As a young rural entrepreneur, how do you cope with emerging difficulties, including during the COVID-19 pandemic?

– The food industry had an easier time than the services. Our production facility remained open. However, all the fairs and tours to the farm where we sold most of our products were cancelled. We survived only because we immediately organized delivery services. As all public events were banned, we have had some free time that we invested in our social projects. As a result, almost all the media in the region carried news about the farm, and after the quarantine ended, our sales have upsurged.

– In your opinion, what are the main risks in the coming months/years that may affect your production? What actions, in your opinion, are necessary to prevent or eliminate them?

– It depends on what scenario will unfold. We will respond accordingly. We have two options: if restrictions persist or even intensify, then we will focus on delivery services, and if mass events are allowed, we will resume tours to the farm.

– Tell us a little bit about your future plans...

– In the future, we would like not only to increase production capacity, but also to build an in-house restaurant. During lunch, guests can observe goats graze and taste products made from their milk.

...The young farmer does hope that in the future he will have the opportunity to upgrade and go one level up with his farm.

#FoodHeroes

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The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).