Multifunctionality of agri-food sector: theoretic conception, practical implementation

This article analyses some issues related to multifunctionality of agriculture and agri-food sector (AFS). It provides arguments that “multifunctionality of AFS†(MF AFS) can not be connected only to definitions of trade regimes under WTO regulation. It is underlined that MF AFS is the most important property and particular characteristic of agricultural sector. The author validates theoretic and methodological conception of MF AFS, proposes definitions for study of the issue, defines five basic functions, analyses their relations and interactions in real economy. In this article the author analyses several critical problems of modern AFS in Russia. There are some proposals how to use efficiently multifunctional nature of AFS amid growing world economic crisis and particular in the context of food crisis. The author describes the most important directions to study multifunctionality of regional AFS to create strategies for their development.