Andrey Sanosyan opened a robotic packaging line in Shakhunya and assessed the progress of the house construction under the KRS T program.

      Photo: Press Service of "Ruslakto"

      Deputy Governor of Nizhny Novgorod Region, Andrey Sanosyan, visited Shakhunya district on July 21 with a working visit. He participated in the opening of a robotic palletizing line at the Shakhunya Milk Plant (part of the "Ruslakto" agroholding) and assessed the progress of the construction of the first three houses under the state program "Comprehensive Development of Rural Territories" (CDRT).

      Investments in the robotic line amounted to 52 million rubles. The new equipment increases the speed and accuracy of product assembly and packaging on pallets, enhancing its safety during delivery.

      "Ruslakto" agroholding is one of the most active investors in the agricultural sector in the region. Over the past five years, the holding has invested approximately five billion rubles in various projects, and today we discussed plans to invest another around six billion rubles by 2030. It is important that all these projects will be implemented in the north, in Shakhunya district, and include social components," emphasized Andrey Sanosyan.

      Funds will be allocated for the creation of the "Northern Valley" agrocluster, which includes projects such as building new farms with 2,400 head of cattle, deep modernization of the dairy plant, bringing into use about 2,000 hectares of unused land, acquiring agricultural machinery, opening and supporting agroclasses, as well as modernizing the material and technical base of the local agricultural college, on the basis of which an educational cluster has been established under the "Professionalitat"* program of the national project "Youth and Children."

      Additionally, a new residential microdistrict of 20 houses is planned to be built. Currently, the first three residential buildings are under construction under the CDRT program. Each building has an area of 73 square meters. Prefabricated factory-made house kits are used, ensuring quick construction. The commissioning is scheduled for November 2025.

      Furthermore, infrastructure for agritourism is planned.

      Alexander Malikov, General Director of the management company "Ruslakto," noted that the holding aims for long-term, comprehensive, and sustainable development.

      "We are developing not only in terms of providing comfortable jobs but also thinking about the future. We are very interested in ensuring that the young people who are currently studying in agroclasses and the college of the agricultural industry will remain here in the future. Therefore, we actively cooperate with educational organizations and are building new houses. These are the key aspects of creating the 'Northern Valley' agrocluster," said Alexander Malikov.

      In turn, Andrey Sanosyan noted that regional authorities are ready to support the district’s development projects.

      "Given that the holding processes over 30 percent of the region’s milk and that the milk plant is a gatekeeper enterprise for Shakhunya, the region will provide maximum support for the company's projects. This is a case where both the enterprise, the residents, and the region will benefit," added Andrey Sanosyan.

      The gasification will serve as a driver for the development of the northern districts. The first stage of Shakhunya's gasification is planned to be completed by the end of 2025. The gasification of northern districts is part of the program for gas supply development in Nizhny Novgorod Region, signed by the region's head Gleb Nikitin and the Chairman of Gazprom’s Board of Directors, Alexey Miller, in 2021.

      "Gasification will give a significant boost to the development of existing enterprises as well as facilitate attracting new investors. The entire district and all residents are eagerly awaiting gas," said Aleksey Smirnov, acting head of local self-government in Shakhunya district.

      Recall that the "Comprehensive Development of Rural Territories" program has been implemented in Nizhny Novgorod Region since 2020. During this time, the amount of funds attracted from the federal budget has reached about 5 billion rubles, with an additional 1.5 billion rubles allocated from the regional budget. The program involves landscape improvement, construction and repair of roads, and social and engineering infrastructure projects. Housing is also being built and provided under lease agreements or social payments. In particular, 50 houses are scheduled to be built in the region in 2025 under the program.

      * "Professionalitat" is a federal project launched by the Russian Ministry of Education in 2022. Since 2025, it has become part of the national project "Youth and Children." This format of secondary vocational education combines academic training with real industry needs. The goal is to modernize the secondary vocational education system to prepare qualified personnel meeting current economic demands.