“Qualified specialists are needed!” That was the cry echoing through Russia’s agricultural sector after the turbulent post-war years. We are standing before the Academy of Management and Agribusiness of the Non-Chernozem Zone of the Russian Federation. Its story is inextricably linked with the country’s agro-industrial complex.
The Academy’s history began in response to this urgent need. Restoring and elevating the nation’s agricultural economy demanded skilled professionals and experienced leaders. On August 17 1947 the Soviet government decreed the establishment of a school for training collective farm leaders. It was founded on the base of the Leningrad Agricultural Experimental Station in Pushkin. This school offered two-year courses for collective farm chairmen.
In 1985 further improvements were made. There was advanced training and qualification upgrades for managers of collective farms and state farms. It also included specialists in agriculture with secondary specialized education. Agronomists zootechnicians veterinary paramedics mechanics technicians builders and hydraulic technicians were trained. The decision was made to consolidate the network of schools. The goal was to improve the skills of agricultural personnel. This involved merging them.
September 30 1986 marked a significant change. The Leningrad branch of the All-Union Higher School of Management of the Agro-Industrial Complex was established. This was by the decision of the Central Committee of the CPSU the USSR Council of Ministers and the RSFSR Council of Ministers.
Then on June 9 1989 the Leningrad branch was transformed. It became the Leningrad Institute for Advanced Training of Agro-Industrial кадров of the Non-Chernozem Zone of the RSFSR.
April 8 1992 saw another reorganization. By order of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation the Leningrad Institute and the Leningrad School of Management of the Agro-Industrial Complex were merged. They created the Federal State Educational Institution of Additional Professional Education “Academy of Management and Agribusiness of the Non-Chernozem Zone of the Russian Federation”. A.S. Malakhov a distinguished agricultural worker became the head.
At that time the Academy lacked its own material and technical base. However from 1989 to 1995 a modern educational complex was built in Shushary near Saint Petersburg. It included a training building a dormitory a hotel-type building and a garage.
Today the Academy of Management and Agribusiness remains a leading center. It focuses on professional development for executives and specialists. Over 70000 leaders and specialists have improved their skills here. They came from 83 regions of Russia and other countries.
The Academy provides training in economics production management marketing entrepreneurship and computerization. Students learn about resource-saving technologies in livestock breeding crop production and agricultural processing.
Since January 1 2014 the Academy has been operating under new conditions. It is part of the Saint Petersburg State Agrarian University. The Academy continues to provide relevant training and education. It adapts to the evolving needs of the agricultural sector. It equips specialists with the knowledge and skills necessary for success.