Agriculture in Russia

This farmland in the Krasnodar region of South Russia sees
their location possibly moving due to climate changes in
their current location changing over the past few years.
(www.fwi.co.uk)

     The key crops grown in Russia are wheat, barley, corn, rice, sugar beet, soya beans, sunflowers, potatoes and vegetables. (1)
   
     "Harsh climate and poor soils combine to limit agriculture across much of the Russian domain. Better farmlands are found in Ukraine and in European Russia south of Moscow. Portions of southern Siberia support wheat production, but yield marginal results. In the Russian far east, warmer climates and better soils enable higher agricultural productivity. (2)

     Farmers in the Krasnodar region of South Russia are experiencing significant climate change, even worse than our text, "Globalization and Diversity: Geography of a Changing World" had previously stated. They are experiencing hail and dust storms, hot winds, and uneven rainfalls along with increased temperatures over the past few years. Because of the climate change, their cereal crop has declined by 25%. Production can be relocated if the climate doesn't change in the near future. (1)

     However, even with the possibility of having to move due to the climate change, these farmers still see hope. "By 2012, Russia had become the world's 5th largest wheat exporter." (1) They believe that they can and will have the ability to double their grain harvest if they haven't already done so.

     Question:
   Why do you think Russia's climate has changed so significantly over the past few years?

     Works Cited:

     (1) "The Future of Farming in Russia." Farmers Weekly. Web. 9 December 2013
http://www.fwi.co.uk/articles/09/12/2013/142338/the-future-of-farming-in-russia.htm

     (2) Rowntree, et al. Globalization and Diversity: Geography of a Changing World. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2011