Farmer’s research and manufacturing centers for feed production: concept and functions.

Abstract

Purpose. To study the role and importance of research and manufacturing centers for feed production, their functions and advantages for farmers. Methods. General scientific and special economic research methods: analysis and synthesis, system approach, statistical analysis, graphic representation, dialectical and abstract-logical. Results. The dynamics of the number of personal peasant farms in Ukraine were analyzed. The factors of the negative dynamics of personal peasant economies and the growth of the number of industrial farms have been determined. It has been proven that the increase in the number of farms in Ukraine requires feed production development and creation of research and manufacturing centers to support farmers. The need to create such centers for feed production is substantiated. Advantages of the farmers’ research and manufacturing centers for feed production are disclosed, such as: increased productivity, reduced costs, adaptation to climate changes, increased environmental sustainability, and access to knowledge provision. The definition of the concept of the research and manufacturing center for feed production is provided. It was established that the main goal of such a center is to increase the efficiency and sustainability of the feed base in agricultural sector, to provide farms with high-quality, nutritious and affordable feeds for farm animals. Conclusions. The main functions of the research and manufacturing center for feed production are defined: research and innovation, education, cooperation and consulting, monitoring and quality control, logistical support. They are aimed at supporting and developing the agricultural sector. The practical significance of the obtained results is that the farmers’ research and manufacturing center for feed production will play an important role in the support and development of agricultural sector, providing farmers with the necessary knowledge, technologies and resources.