Russia Develops AI System to Restore Degraded Land

The Verda platform will assess soil conditions and recommend solutions—starting with a pilot program in Kalmykia.

Russia has developed an artificial intelligence platform to combat land degradation and desertification. The system, called Verda (Esperanto for 'green'), uses machine learning to monitor soil health and generate customized recovery recommendations.

Verda analyzes site-specific issues like erosion and loss of fertility, then advises on solutions such as land-use changes and planting protective forest belts. Developers say the AI can also identify root causes of degradation and offer region-specific recovery strategies.

The pilot program began in the Republic of Kalmykia under a 2024 agreement signed during the AI Journey international conference. Initial tests showed the model to be over 90% accurate. If successful, the system will be rolled out in other parts of Russia.

Experts believe AI-driven land recovery could increase the country’s arable land and help preserve fragile ecosystems across Russia.