This paper pays attention to global issues related to the growth of population and food production: reduced growth rate of agricultural production, reduction of resource potential of agriculture and others. Critical factors and trends of structural changes in agriculture are identified. Results of comparative analysis of the development of farms in European countries and Russia are presented. Studies have shown that at the end of the last century there have been the following trends in the global agriculture: there has been a trend of farm consolidation in size, new controls and control of production are were introduced as well as more stringent quality standards of ecology were launched, which, in turn, require introduction of new technics and technologies; the processes of plants and animals development become more controllable and manageable. Conseptual foresights of pricing in the food market are given. Priority areas of agricultural policy aimed at creating conditions for sustainable rural development and accelerated growth in agricultural production by improving its competitiveness are identified.

This paper presents some results of studies on multifunctionality of agriculture and agri-food sector (AFS). It is proved that «multifunctionality of agriculture» is connected not only with the definition of trade regime under WTO rules, but is the most important property and characteristics of the agri-food sector. To substantiate theoretical and methodological concepts proposed by MF AFS, conceptual apparatus of the study is suggested, five basic functions are revealed and characterized, and their relationship and interaction in practice is estimated. The risks involved in implementing each function are considered. A number of critical nodes of the current state of the Russian Federation's AFS is analyzed. Suggestions to full realization of the multifunctional nature of the AFS in a worsening global economic crisis and its particular form — food security crisis — are suggested. Directions of multifunctionality regional AFS research to elaborate a strategy for their development are named.

The essence of national food security is revealed, internal and external threats are identified, questions related to development of domestic agriculture and the country's entry into the WTO are asked. To justify the development of agro-industrial complex strategy, it is proposed to use the scenario approach, which involves construction of several alternatives under various conditions of external and internal environment, taking into account control actions, and includes four phases: analysis, research, modeling and organization. The conditions for the strategy of agro-industrial complex are defined. A set of organizational, economic and legislative measures to ensure the functioning of the agro-industrial complex that meets the requirements of raising standards of living in the village ofand to ensure national food security is grounded. Food security of the population is invited to be considered from three directions: first, from the standpoint of immediate food supply of the population, secondly, to protect it from low-quality food products, and thirdly, to protect domestic agricultural producers from large-scale imports of food.

The paper reviews the risks and threats to food security of the Ural Federal District which can significantly reduce its the level. The most significant risks are grouped according to the following classification: macroeconomic, technological, climatic, agro-ecological and foreign trade risks. The main directions of economic policy of the Ural Federal District in the area of food security are defined. Particular attention is paid to the improvement of economic and physical availability of food for all groups of population and to the problems of formation of the state material reserves and food safety. Strategic development priorities in the field of agricultural and fishery products, raw materials and food, sustainable development of rural areas in the field of foreign policy are formulated. Conceptual bases for the implementation mechanism of economic policies to ensure food security in the region are suggested.

This paper is devoted to the questions of further development of agricultural and food policy in the Russian Federation. The subject of in-depth consideration is the problem related to ensuring food safety. A critical review and analysis of major regulations in the field of food safety is made, including in the implementation of sanitary and epidemiological surveillance. The necessity of the expansion of measures to improve the statistics of food poisoning is grounded. The basic reasons for the spread of management practices of production and sale of food products that pose a threat to human life are revealed. The factors of unhindered penetration of local markets in the cities and the surrounding countrysides with counterfeiting, smuggling and production of global junk food manufacturers and consumer goods are defined. A systematic view is put on the problems of food production in the private farms, ways to limit direct access to the market of food and food raw materials, which production was not controlled and who have not passed state registration, are suggested. One of these problems is creation of independent industrial structures that link production and sales of small-scale sector goods.

The purpose of this paper is to identify major trends in the market of food commodities and the development of measures to improve production and marketing of food industry enterprises of Yekaterinburg. The paper presents an analysis of food products market of Yekaterinburg, economic performance indicators and measures to optimize the product portfolio of the food industry for 2004 and 2010 are examined. In the studied period, an overfulfilment of the plan for the production of bio-products enriched with micronutrients and vitamins, including for children and pre-school institutions and also for people with various diseases was noticed. The estimation of the work results to improve the quality of food in the consumer market of the city and re-equipment of enterprises of food industry was made. The basic problems of market development of food products in a metropolis are revealed. Basing on the results of the study, directions for further development of this industry are suggested.

In this paper, the features of Sverdlovsk region to ensure grain products are reviewed. The dependence of the agricultural sector and the conditions of its transport and logistics are substantiated. It is proven that transport and logistics services have the greatest impact not on harvest and on its processing and storage. The choice of transport and logistics service strategy for enterprises of agriculture depends on productivity, prices for grain and its products and the financial condition of the producer. From the calculations made in the paper it is visible that rail transport has a significant — more than double — advantage over the automobile transport on unit costs for carriage in bulk grain cargo, but, for some reason, road transport is beginning to occupy an increasing share in the carriage of grain cargoes. Based on comparative analysis of costs to import grain cargo using various transport modes, recommendations for improvement of transport and logistics infrastructure are made, as well as measures for improving the payments system between producers, processors and transporters are suggested.

The current state of regional markets development and the production of eggs and egg products for a long period — from 1990 to 2009 — is reviewed in this paper. The main research method is the method of statistical groupings. The variable amount of egg production was chosen as the grouping characteristic, since this figure fits well into research goals and has the property of the prevalence in the aggregate / total. To analyze the trends of the Russian regional markets involved into egg production, official statistics on consumer prices was used as well as producer prices, the volume of egg production per capita based on food import and export products. This allowed to group regions for comparison with average values of indicators carried out by different criteria, and to draw conclusions about trends in the development of regional markets. The most relevant factors influencing the development of egg production, among which the factor of vertical integration of production was especially noticed: building own plants and feed mills, joining the land in order to ensure the needs for higher quality raw materials and other activities were identified.

This paper focuses on the most important results of scientific research made by the Institution of the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Agrarian Problems of RAS. The feature of this research is to implement cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary approaches to the analysis and projection of agricultural and food industry development. The conceptual framework for strategic cross-sectoral management of the Russian agricultural and food processing sector was elaborated; it is aimed at strengthening food security. The priority of ensuring food security is to develop a new model of the Russian agricultural complex which has potential for sustainable dynamic growth and innovation receptivity that allows solving problems of raising living standards, efficiency and competitiveness.

The paper considers the possibility of using modern information technologies in the executive bodies of Moscow and the federal center in the management of wholesale food complex of a metropolis. It is noted that a necessary condition for the effective functioning of all subjects of the wholesale food market of the city, including control structures, is their complete informational provision. A complex of measures aimed at implementation of informational systems into the management of activities in an urban structure. It is proven that the introduction of an information-analytical system as a tool for solving problems of food security in Moscow accelerates and improves the handling of the food market of the city, plus the trends and prospects of its development: the volume of deliveries and sales of goods, prices, and availability of inventory from manufacturers and wholesalers etc. We present architecture of information-analytical system of wholesale food market as a spatially distributed system.

This paper reviews cluster approach as an innovative management technology for the regional economy. The results of studying the theory and practice of clustering of the regional economy, the formation of agribusiness and food clusters in agribusiness are presented. Basic features and operation of the cluster systems are revealed and distinguished from other forms of cooperative and economic interactions between small and big business features, motivational components of integration into clusters. On the basis of scientific propositions, a model of regional economic clusters is formulated; specific territorial distribution and level of aggregation of clusters in the agricultural sector were distinguished. It is proposed to refer agroindustrial clusters to the clusters that represent the associations of organization of various fields in a single reproduction cycle from raw material to finished products sales including all stages of reproduction on the basis of innovation and investment activity. A structuring work on principles of agro-clusters was held, sustainable competitive advantage and the formation mechanisms of the development of agro-industrial clusters have been grounded.

Material and technical support and services determine more than one half of all costs in agriculture. According to our research, material costs in the total cost structure amount to about 60%in the grain industry of Omsk region. In modern conditions, the shape the interaction of consumers and suppliers changes significantly. Market resources and services in the regions gain new contours. Material and technical resources, repair and technical services in the market are controlled by a limited number of manufacturers, traders and service structures; this creates prerequisites for the creation of large enterprise systems with an extensive network. In these circumstances, the task of development must be formulated in terms of global processes. The creation of large integrated companies with access to world markets, both in the field of agricultural production and in providing the infrastructure field is the order of today.

The paper presents data on the development of products with specified application properties based on the descriptor methods of analysis. Especially important is the development of specialized products, including confectionery products for people with celiac disease, taking into account the relatively high prevalence of this disease. In development of grocery products, the priority indicators of grocery quality are the organoleptic advantages of the product (attractive taste and flavour), nutritional value and safety. Studies have shown that main consumer preferences are: products of highest quality with natural flavour and texture, made according to traditional methods and of natural ingredients. The degree of satisfaction of human needs for food should be determined not only by the level of conformity of the actual commodity consumption (describing the quantitative parameters of consumption), but compliance with a number of subjective parameters that characterize the quality of food consumption. It is determined that by using an innovative approach to product development with prescribed consumer properties using generalized index of quality, it is possible to create products demanded by certain groups of consumers.

This paper analyses common and specific problems of international trade in Russia and its regions in agricultural sector, specific situation and methods of reformation, adaptation and modernization of the national and regional agricultural complexes, its resources base on the way to globalization processes in the world, including such forms of international trade of agricultural products and formation on this base of an industrial agricultural economics plus rate of the international agricultural trade expansion. Regions of Russia are quickly developing territories with very active integration into world economy system, having high tempo of economic rate growth and adaptation of the economy to specific situation and methods of diversification of the agricultural base resources; the analysis is made on agricultural production of international trade in such countries as China, the USA, the European Union, Argentina, Canada, India and Brazil while searching for new economic partners on international agricultural market.

This paper analyzes the impact of foreign economic grocery relations on the state of self-development and self-regulation in the agrarian sector of the country and regions. A definition of the concept of «self-regulation of the agrarian sector in the region» is given. The characteristic of long-term trends in food independence is given. In this regard, the current state of food self-sufficiency in the regions of Russia on essential grocery is analyzed. It is concluded that the majority of regions are characterized by low levels of selfsufficiency in grocery. The main trends of Russian food exports in recent years are shown. The reasons for the sharp growth in grain exports are analyzed. The estimation of the possibilities for further increase of exports of these products in connection with the planned growth of consumption and production of staple food as predicted by the Russian government is made. In general, the authors believe that low levels of food self-sufficiency of the country may be not only at significant food imports, but also at low volumes of imports, coupled with the high volume of agricultural exports. Accordingly, in both cases the possibility of selfdevelopment of the regional agrarian scope is undermined because of the influence of external factors (low levels of food self-sufficiency in the country).

This paper reviews the logical scheme of strategy of the grain complex competitive advantages usage. The results of evaluation of financial and economic situation of agricultural enterprises engaged into production of grain are presented. Determination of the level of competitiveness of the agro-grain industry was established on the basis of obtaining an integral point-weighting factor of competitiveness. Evaluation and confirmation of this technique allowed identifying key factors of competitiveness of agricultural enterprises in the grain corns industry. The main conclusion of the study is the following: the use of resource-saving technologies for the cultivation of crops greatly influences the development of competitive advantages. Calculations showed that the application of resource-saving technology increases productivity, reduces labour requirements and the cost of equipment maintenance and repair, fuel costs, improves basic economic indicators of activity: gross revenues from sales is increasing.

This paper is devoted to the search for potentially suitable conditionsand control factors for the national meat subcomplex in frame of national agriculture ability to compete state control. Some recommendations on choosing the main factor for subject of control policy goals achievement are proposed. Also the methodic of agriculture ability to compete control measures conversion into main control parameter of the managed object is offered. On the example of meat subcomplex, some conceptual proposals for national agriculture ability to compete measures effectiveness improvement are designed, concerning modern Russian economic conditions.

Formation of market relations in Russian economy generates an objective need to address a number of problems in the relationship between agroundustrial complex organizations in connection with privatization, liberalization of prices and imbalances in the existing inter-industry production and economic relations that negatively affect the results of their economic activities. Because of the flagrant violations of the replenishment process, a diverse range of connections and relationships between producers and processors was broken. The major direction of lifting agricultural economy in this situation is the development of cooperatives and agroindustrial integration. In addition, the formation of large integrated complexes demonstrates high efficiency and rapid development, which is the basis of agroindustrial sector in many developed countries. The increase of competition forces business entities to combine capabilities and mutually beneficial cooperation in the struggle for the strengthening of market positions. Thus, increasing the degree of integration in the agricultural sector helps to get out of the protracted crisis and move more quickly to the innovations.

The paper presents an analysis of the difference in the meaning between such concepts as “innovation” and “modernization”. For the first time ever in the literature two new conceptions are introduced, that being compensational and preferential forms of support to agriculture. Their content is theoretically analyzed. Transition to a new policy of entering the WTO is proposed implying that both parties — Russia and the European Union — switch to compensational budget support to the agriculture.

This paper reviews investment activity in the agrarian sector of economy of the Russian Federation during the period after overcoming the sharp phase of world financial crisis. Estimation is given to the factors constraining further improvement and development of branches of agriculture, first of all — investment activity. The question of possibility of the account of the earth as resource of mortgaging maintenance in system of crediting of agriculture is revealed. The urgency of creation of Land bank is proved; preconditions for formation of the third link of banking system are defined: a specialized financially-credit institution (mortgage, investment, ground banks with a regulation and supervision particular treatment). Measures regarding a solution of a financial maintenance problem and agriculture crediting are offered. To raise efficiency of crediting of agrarian sector, means of development of institutes of crediting of bank system taking into account post crisis factors are suggested.

This paper reveals the importance and role of state support for the development of agrobusiness in Russia. Public support in different countries was monitored and major vulnerabilities of small agrobusinesses were revealed. The study aims to review and develop conceptual positions and scientific and practical recommendations aimed at improving the efficiency of state support of small agrobusinesses. The scientific novelty of this research is to develop theoretical and practical recommendations on the formation of areas of state supported agrobusiness plus infrastructure development of small agrobusiness. Small agrobusiness can effectively solve many problems in the industrial, social, scientific and economic nature of the agricultural sector and rural areas. It creates the necessary atmosphere of competition and rapidly responds to changes in market conditions, provides the necessary market conditions in the mobility actions and also promotes cooperative production development.

This paper deals with the concept of term «sustainable development» of rural areas. Social problems of rural development of the republic of Komi are identified. An intra-rural typology creation is performed. An increasing differentiation in the development of rural areas is concluded. Rural settlements in the republic are characterized by low population density and a rare network of settlements. Low level and quality of rural life (low rural incomes, poor living conditions and high unemployment) and better living conditions in urban areas adversely affect migration processes of the village. Characteristic features of modern rural labour market are: inconsistency of supply and demand of labour in vocational and qualification angle, seasonality of production and temporary nature of the proposed work, low wages, low competitiveness of the youth labour market, high level of registered unemployment and even higher — of unregistered. Analytical material allowed the authors to determine the direction of social policy for sustainable development of rural areas according to the conditions of the North.

Analysis of regional agricultural sector status and rural areas of Perm in 1990-2011 years indicates a systemic crisis of agriculture in Perm region, which is largely determined by the fact that Perm region has no strategy or strategic plan and program for sustainable agricultural sector and rural areas of Perm region development, there is no scheme of territorial development and master plans of territorial development with the development of agro-industrial complex of Perm region. In these circumstances, there is a steady downward trend in production, weakening and bankruptcy of enterprises, social impoverishment of rural areas, appearance of many of irreversible processes (sale and neglect of agricultural land, demographic problems associated with low living standards, population migration, policy optimization in the areas of education and health, union of territories, policy of depopulation of territories etc.). This paper presents main recommendations for improving the situation in agriculture of Perm region.

This paper discusses the typical labour stimulation system in Russian agricultural enterprises, based on the tariff-salary system. It is shown that this scheme inevitably leads to equal wage distribution between all workers except piece-workers: this causes demotivation of time-worker, professionals and managers. Internal economic mechanism built on the basis of tariff-salary system does not correspond to market conditions. To solve the urgent problems of labour stimulation in the Russian agricultural companies in terms of market, a labour evaluation and payment system called «Rost» is suggested. It is already implemented in a number of agricultural enterprises of Perm and Chelyabinsk regions, showing high economic and social efficiency.

This paper deal with the problems of interdependence and interaction between the quality of labour resources and social infrastructure in rural territories of Sverdlovsk region. The level of social infrastructure development of rural territories of Sverdlovsk region is investigated. Basic infrastructural factors that affect labour resources quality in the village are considered, their scientific classification is offered. The condition and activity of establishments of social infrastructure in the cities and towns of the region are analyzed. Material base of social infrastructure establishments in cities and towns are investigated, the basic problems are revealed. Specific effects of social infrastructure in the formation of labour resources in the village are investigated. Strategic directions of social sphere development of the village, formation of basic conditions of social comfort for the expanded reproduction and fastening of labour resources on rural territories are offered.

This paper reviews the historical aspect of grazing in Mongolia. The data on changes in the structure of animal species in the general population is presented. The level of main types of foods security of the population of Mongolia based on the findings of the actual meat and meat products consumption ratio to the recommended standard in accordance with national standards is analyzed. In absolute terms, the number of livestock is growing steadily, so by the conditions for ensuring full meat and meat products security for the population. Estimation of the technological level of the country's meat industry and export performance of meat products, including the Russian Federation, is given. A model of technological strategy of meat processing is suggested. It is noted that the main directions of development of meat industry in the country are increased production and safety of meat in agriculture and waste-free deep treatment of cattle in the meat industry, as well as improvement of the export potential of different kinds of meat.

This paper describes scientific and practical aspects of innovative re-equipment of agricultural production in Ukraine. A classification of innovation processes in the agricultural sector is given, special attention is paid to theoretical and methodological positions that have been ignored or underestimated during the reform processes in agribusiness. The estimation of results of the full market mechanism introduction in the outdated technological environment with its high costs and low productivity is made, several inconsistencies of «anti-innovational character» that paralyze economic mechanism and minimize its effectiveness, are highlighted. The author proposes ways to solve the problems of the agrarian sector of Ukraine and its transfer to the innovational base. The conclusion is made about the need to focus on solving the problem of increasing profitability of agricultural production as the main condition for the development of post-industrial model of development. According to scientific concepts and doctrine of reforms designed at the Institute of Agricultural Economics (The Ukrainian Academy of Agrarian Sciences), Institute of Economics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and other scientific centers, a comprehensive approach to reforming the agricultural sector, phasing in addressing key issues of agriculture is required.

Modern economic systems in recent years become more and more globalized. In connection with this problem, it is becoming urgent to expand and strengthen interregional economic relations through the creation of clusters. In this paper, the authors analyzed the potential of creating a cluster in the grain crops producing regions of Kazakhstan. To study the agricultural industries for the possibility of creating a cluster, a method suggested by A. V. Yermishina was used. Key indicators, on which the analysis of the competitive sustainability of the region is based, are as follows: coefficient of localization of production in the region, coefficient of per capita output and coefficient of specialization of the region on this industry. The results of the SWOT-analysis capabilities grain crops industry in Kazakhstan are presented in the paper. Quantitative and qualitative analysis showed that there is a so-called "potential grain crops cluster" in Kazakhstan. Weaknesses and fundamental factors that may have a beneficial effect on the further development of the cluster were identified. In particular, a sufficiently weighty threat of a shortage of water was noticed, so water conservation strategy should become the leading one in the economy of Kazakhstan.

This paper deals with questions on cross-sector cooperation between the government, business and education as part of an innovative model of «triple helix», by implementing state programs of development of agriculture in Transbaikal region. «Triple helix» model is organized in accordance with the principles of intersection of three sets of relationships; it describes innovative development through the dynamics of relations between science (education), business and government (represented by the Cabinet) at national and regional levels. «Double helix» of cross-sectoral interactions in the regions where the innovation network is not developed enough, are regarded as an evolutionary step in the development of the full «triple helix». Alignment of competent cross-sectoral interactions and designing of institutes in «double helix» (state-to-business, state-to-science (education), business-to-science (education)) is the key to the formation of an innovational tripartite model.

This paper analyzes content, structure and importance of value added of enterprises — participants of the value chain of the product in the food industry. The analysis of the value added is made on the example of bakeries in Orenburg region. A new concept of «quality value» is presented and indicators for its evaluation are developed. Quality is understood as value-added content and structure of the value added nature of its formation, modification and distribution between the main actors in the value chain of the product under the influence of various factors. The conducted research confirmed the hypothesis that the implementation of a larger number of activities to create the final product in a controlled set of economic agents improves their performance. It is established that the structure of the value depends not only on the performance of individual enterprises, but also on the industry in general.

In this paper, an estimation of condition and level of development of agricultural mechanical engineering is given; also an expert estimation of scales of the Russian market of agricultural machinery is given. The factors negatively influencing formation of the named market are designated. Features and prospects of development of agricultural mechanical engineering of Sverdlovsk region are defined. State regulation mechanisms of domestic agricultural mechanical engineering development are designated.

This paper assesses trends in the development of agricultural enterprises in the XXI century and marks the reasons for the low efficiency of partnerships. The features of integration stages of agricultural producers and processing enterprises are reviewed. Signs which may classify the integration are proposed. A conclusion about the need for a new conception of the organizational structure of the cultivated mushrooms market is made. The basic idea behind the concept could be the creation in the cultivated mushrooms market of a variety of organizational integrated structures, which would maintain competitive environment. The development of integration processes in the direction of economic recovery in agriculture will reduce the investment risks in the mushroom growing, the functions of cultivated mushrooms market will be accumulated in a single integrated structure. In conclusion, a number of conceptual provisions that must be considered in the strategy of diversification for mushroom growing companies of intersectoral agroeconomic integration are highlighted.

This paper analyzes the characteristics of the organization process of real estate housing development financing in Russia during 1990-2010 years. The role and place of collective investment institutions in housing financing in the region is defined. An author's interpretation of the concepts of the process of collective investment schemes and collective investment institutions is presented. The classification of collective housing investment institutions is substantiated. The role and place of particular groups or types of collective investment institutions in the financing of housing was examined. The function of investment funds in the financing of the investment activity of the regions was determined. The structure of domestic and foreign investment funds was compared. Domestic and foreign experience of housing financing with a particular financial institution investment — mutual funds — was eamined. The role and functioning of specific closed-end mutual funds investing in the housing is defined. Factors enhancing the processes of collective housing investment with closed-end mutual funds were investigated.