Main Directions for Accelerating Modernization in the Agricultural Sector in the Rural Periphery of the North (Case Study of the Komi Republic)

Agricultural production in the rural periphery of the North requires modernization because it is necessary to overcome the backwardness of its technical and technological level, to improve the provision of the population with local food products, to create competitive advantages in the local and regional markets, to use natural and human capital rationally, to raise the standard of living and quality of life of agricultural workers, to retain young people in rural areas, to reduce significant differentiation in socioeconomic development of remote and suburban areas. The period of market reforms was marked by the destruction of the material-technical base of agriculture, the sharp reduction in cultivated agricultural land, number of animals, number of workers, the deterioration of their professional level and quality of life, the decline in production of all kinds of agricultural products. In the period of market reforms the facilities and infrastructure basis of agriculture was destroyed, the volume of cultivated land reduced greatly, as well as the population of livestock, and the number of employees; their professional level and quality of life deteriorated, the production of all kinds of agricultural products reduced. Agriculture was deprived of possible technological re-equipment because of prices liberalization, the drastic reduction in state support and in the amount of investments. The article proves that current views on the lack of prospects for development of agricultural production in the rural periphery and the reorientation of rural residents on other activities are not acceptable. The authors point out the need to accelerate modernization in agriculture, and they conclude that sustainable agricultural and rural development is a long-term priority for the state and municipal authorities. The article considers the possibilities and necessity of intensifying modernization processes in the agricultural production of the rural periphery for the purpose of establishing food security in the northern region. The authors suggest ways and mechanisms to modernize agriculture in the peripheral areas of the Komi Republic that are connected with the improvement of living conditions of peasants, with staffing, scientific-information and advisory support, and with the creation of an effective system of state support. The research findings presented in the paper can be used for adjusting the current State Program for Development of Agro-Food Sector, as well as the similar program for the Komi Republic for 2021–202