Assessment of opportunities for the development of organic agriculture in municipal areas

Abstract

Purpose:  of the research is to develop a methodology for assessing the development opportunities of organic agriculture in municipal areas based on their clustering.Methods: within the framework of the study, methods of comparing averages, grouping, clustering based on Kohonen's self-organizing neural network were used. The study was conducted on the materials of the Penza region, the complex of analyzed indicators was formed on the basis of official statistical data on municipal districts of the region. The applied approach assumes the possibility of carrying out similar calculations based on the materials from other subjects of the Russian Federation.Results:  the study proposes a system of indicators characterizing the development potential of the production of certain types of organic agricultural products on the territory of municipal districts. Clustering of districts was carried out, as a result, 6 clusters were identified, characterized by various combinations of the values of the analyzed factors. The characteristics of each cluster in terms of opportunities for the development of organic agriculture are given. The areas of activity with the best potential are indicated, as well as the main unfavorable factors. 2 clusters have been identified that can be considered as pilot ones for the implementation of the regional program for the development of organic agriculture.Conclusions and Relevance: at the initial stage of the development of the organic production sector, it is important to identify growth points, types of agricultural activities in certain areas that may be the most promising within the framework of the introduction of the principles of organic farming. Given the diversity and high variability of the values of indicators that determine the potential for the development of organic agriculture in individual territories, clustering can be an effective method that allows differentiating and increasing the targeting of state support measures for the relevant producers. The application of efforts for the development of organic agriculture, taking into account the peculiarities of the formed clusters, will be more effective.