PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE – THE BASIS FOR ENSURING FOOD SECURITY OF RUSSIA

Agriculture is one of the strategically important sectors of the country’s economy, the primary basis and guarantee of reliable food security, overcoming the significant gap in the standard and quality of life of the urban and rural population. Rural areas remain one of the most important national resources, producing from 16 to 22% of the country’s gross domestic product. Despite unfavorable macroeconomic conditions, agriculture is among the few sectors of the economy that has achieved relatively high results. However, not only old problems remain in the industry, but new systemic problems are also emerging, the solution of which is associated with both the rational use of the enormous agricultural potential and priority support for the industry and rural areas. Agriculture, focused on the implementation of the innovative and investment development model, is capable of reliably ensuring national food security, increasing the country’s role as a major global exporter of agricultural and food products. The priority of the state strategy in relation to the agricultural sector should be its development of a predominantly advanced rather than catch-up type, regardless of various internal and external risks, threats and challenges, as well as force majeure circumstances.