The average salary in the agricultural sector increased by 53.5%. Minister of Agriculture Oksana Lut, on the first regional day of the 4th All-Russian Urban Forum "Small Motherland - Strength of Russia", dedicated to the development of rural areas, announced an increase in the average salary in the industry by more than one and a half times over 3 years. According to the presented materials, the average salary in the agro-industrial complex in 2026 was ₽89.8 thousand. Compared to 2023, the average salary increased by 53.5%. Projects of the state immersion program became the main topic of the minister's meeting with the heads of the authorities. The participants discussed long-term plans for the development of support settlements, manpower and improving the quality of life in rural areas. The co-chair of VARMSU, Irina Guseva, stated that the proposals of municipal teams based on the results of the regional day will be systematically carried out by the evening and brought to the ministry, and will also be taken into account in the preparation of the federal part of the forum, which will be held in Moscow in April 2027. The municipal forum is organized by the All-Russian Association of Local Government Development.