The Agricultural Complex of Yaroslavl Oblast and its Rural Areas: Development Trends and Intra-Regional Differences

The paper presents the results of the research into the current state of agriculture and rural areas of Yaroslavl Oblast, considering specific natural, production, economic and socio-demographic factors. It shows the characteristics and intra-regional differentiation of agricultural production depending on the distance from the region's large cities. The paper shows specific features of rural development in the context of economic contraction, ageing and shrinking of the population, concentration of production and the increasingly significant role of agricultural holdings, as well as the influence of non-productive factors on intra-regional differentiation. The paper presents statistical calculations by municipal districts and individual enterprises along with the results of socio-geographical expeditions to the rural areas of Yaroslavl Oblast, which included expert interviews with heads of enterprises and local administrations, specialists of various levels, and the population. The mechanisms of development of the agro-industrial complex of the region, the specifics of its current organisation, its challenges, and its impact not only on the food supply for the population, but also on the socio-geographical space and the living conditions of the local population are considered. Relative proximity to towns or cities, the patterns of use of local resources, participation in government support programmes, the degree of modernisation of production, availability of exclusive products, the staffing and the personnel policies, and personal qualities of the managers were identified as key success factors for agricultural enterprises regardless of their size. Both general and specific current challenges to the development of different types of enterprises in the Non-Black Soil Zone were identified, including the shrinking of crop acreage and the dependence of livestock farming on fodder grain purchased from southern Russia. Equally important is the acute shortage of labour, the difficulties in recruiting migrant workers, and wage growth without increases in skills and productivity in the face of labour shortages. The consequences of the sanctions include difficulties in purchasing genetic material and vaccines from abroad, and in the renewal and maintenance of imported equipment.