Agrarisation vs deagrarisation: strategic vector of rural areas development through the lens of transformational changes

Abstract

Purpose. The goal of the study is to determine the transformational changes in agricultural households with different sizes of land plots, with an emphasis on their adaptation to market conditions, introduction of new technologies, and economic practices; to assess the impact of these processes on the socioeconomic and cultural potential of rural regions and formulate recommendations for the Ukrainian government to create favorable conditions for the balanced and sustainable development of rural areas. Methodology / approach. In the study, a systemic approach was used to analyse the agrarisation and deagrarisation of rural territories in Ukraine, which allows considering these processes as complex and interconnected phenomena. The basis of the research methodology was a set of classical and modern methods of economic analysis. For analysing the trends of rural household development and their role in the agricultural sector of the economy, methods of analysis and synthesis were used. The statistical analysis included the collection, processing, and interpretation of data concerning the agricultural activity of rural households, specifically their land areas and production activities. The application of comparative analysis made it possible to study the experience of other countries and assessing the possibilities of its adaptation under Ukrainian conditions. The study uses an integrated approach that combines both quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis. This ensured an in-depth investigation of the institutional, economic, and social aspects of the agrarisation and deagrarisation of rural territories. Results. The findings of the study underline the importance of distinguishing between two key processes in the development of rural areas in Ukraine: agrarisation and deagrarisation. It was established that households with an area of up to 0.5 hectares and from 0.5 to 1.0 hectare (78 % of all rural households) show a trend towards deagrarisation, manifested in abandoning agricultural activities and transitioning to non-farming occupations. On the other hand, households with an area of more than 1.01 hectares (22 % of all rural households) demonstrate active agricultural development, characterised by increasing numbers of cattle, pigs, and broiler chickens, implementation of new agricultural technologies, and diversification of activities through growing and selling fruits, vegetables, and seedlings. It was revealed that the majority of the heads of these active households are descendants of dekulakised peasant-farmers of the 1930s, suggesting the presence of a genetic memory among Ukrainian landowners. It is recommended that the Ukrainian government create favorable conditions for the development of rural households with an area of more than 1.01 hectares in order to foster economic growth and preserve the socio-cultural potential of rural areas. Originality / scientific novelty. The originality of the research lies in a comprehensive analysis of the transformational changes in rural areas of Ukraine, particularly in identifying the strategic vectors of rural development – agrarisation and deagrarisation. The scientific novelty of the work is manifested in determining the interrelations between the sizes of rural households, their choice of strategic direction agrarisation or deagrarisation), and the economic, social, and cultural factors influencing this direction. The results of the study contribute to a better understanding how historical memory and current market conditions shape the management strategies of rural households. This enables the authors of the article to put forward proposals on the formation of state policy aimed at ensuring the sustainable development of rural areas in Ukraine in the context of their agrarisation and deagrarisation. Practical value / implications. The practical value lies in the development of recommendations for the formation of effective state agrarian policy in Ukraine. Identifying the strategic vectors of rural development and determining the main factors influencing the agrarisation or deagrarisation of households allows for the design of targeted programs to support and develop agriculture. The results of the study can be used by government authorities to adjust agrarian policy, as well as by local authorities for the development and implementation of regional programs for the development of rural areas. They can also serve as a practical guide for agrarians who are striving to optimize their management in the conditions of market transformations, choosing between the strategies of agrarisation and deagrarisation depending on the specific conditions of their farm and region. Thus, the research contributes to the preservation and development of the socio-economic potential of rural areas in Ukraine.