International regional competitiveness of rural territories as a factor of their socio-economic development: Methodological aspects.

The study aims to develop a scientific and methodological approach to the formation of a model for managing the international competitiveness of rural areas based on an assessment of the existing export and production potential to form priorities for their socio-economic development. Research methods involve a systematic approach, an integrated approach, an algorithmization using methods of integral assessment of competitiveness, etc. The research allowed the development of a conceptual model for managing the international competitiveness of rural regions. The model includes a variable list of determinants and indicators of the formation of competitive advantages of rural territories depending on the export-production potential and strategic goals of their development. The paper presents a model management algorithm and a set of complementary methodological techniques used to assess international and regional competitiveness. The scientific novelty lies in the developed scientific and methodological approaches and practical recommendations for the formation of international and regional competitiveness in rural areas. Moreover, a system of determinants of the competitiveness formation of rural territories and a system of indicators for its assessment have been developed.

Cost-effective horse breeding in the Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: There is a lack of reliable data in agribusiness regarding the economic efficiency of horse breeding, and this limits its further development. The purpose of this study was to create rational parameters for the development of productive horse breeding as an effective agricultural business, in particular, in relation to farms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The methods of investigation used were induction and deduction, as well as analytical, statistical, and economic-mathematical analysis. We also used the dynamics of time series, CVP analysis, direct costing, and microeconomic analysis. Data were taken from the Russian Federation's official statistics on animal husbandry as well as closed (commercial) data of agricultural enterprises from our study region. RESULTS: Horse ownership in the Republic of Bashkortostan is higher than in the rest of Russia with about 9% of the total number of horses in Russia. We found that landowners need one hectare of arable land to ensure profit and that the highest economic income occurs on farms specializing in kumis production. The production of kumis under intensive farming is less profitable than with free-range horses kept in pastures. Family farms need a large amount of arable land with natural foliage to balance space and profit. CONCLUSION: Successful implementation of these parameters will make it possible to turn agriculture into successful horse breeding businesses. The expected volume of agricultural production may be approximately 9-11 thousand US dollars per employee.

Scenario Method of Strategic Planning and Forecasting the Development of the Rural Economy in Agricultural Complex.

The purpose of the study is to justify the use of the universal scenario method of strategic planning and forecasting the development of the agroindustrial complex of the regional rural economy. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the application of a set of theoretical and methodological provisions for scenario planning and forecasting the development of agriculture in the regions, taking into account the assessment of their existing potential and constructing a territorial planning scheme for the priority of participation in the implementation of strategic directions of rural development in agricultural production. The paper presents a territorial model of the priority of participation of the municipal regions of the Republic of Bashkortostan in the implementation of strategic areas in the areas of development of production of grain crops, sugar beet, and oilseeds. The developed scenario method, reflecting the qualitatively heterogeneous directions of the development of enterprises, is formed taking into account the achievement of the strategic goal and potential opportunities of rural areas. This allows determining strategic decisions for the further development of rural areas and integrating them into a uniform industry development strategy. The developed approach is recommended to be used as a guideline in the development of long-term programs for the development of the crop production industry, as well as for adjusting the activities of ongoing programs.

Strategic Planning of Rural Development Based on Foresight Methodologies.

The purpose of the study is to establish scientific rational for the use of the foresight methodology in the strategic planning of rural development. The scientific novelty of the study is determined by the development of an algorithm for strategic planning of rural development based on the foresight methodology and by the formation of a set of practical recommendations for the use of foresight tools at the municipal level of management in rural areas. The paper states that modern foresight methodology is quite flexible and multifaceted. It can be widely applied at different hierarchical levels of management. In our research, we consistently analyzed foresight projects and programs used in the rural management and development forecasting. The use of a systematic approach in combination with foresight technologies allows developing strategic plans for the rural areas development from the perspective of improvement of their economic and social component. The research presents the foresight algorithm of the rural development strategic planning and its implementation mechanism at the municipal level. The main components of the foresight testing procedure of the rural areas economic development were determined on the example of such a classic agricultural region of the Russian Federation as the Republic of Bashkortostan. The results of a comprehensive foresight analysis of alternative scenarios of the rural development have been formed. We summarized that the foresight technologies should be used as a system tool for the formation and implementation of the strategy of the sustainable rural areas development. The main results of the study include summarizing the experience of foresight studies on the rural areas development; design of an algorithm of strategic planning of the rural areas development based on the foresight methodology; the formation of alternative scenarios of the rural areas development at the regional level.