Dynamics and key directions of sustainable development of regional agriculture in the context of ensuring national and food security of the Russian Federation

The article identifies the problems and features of agricultural production in Russia’s regions. The main arguments proving the relevance of target qualitative indicators in the methodology of regional management of the agricultural sector (improved efficiency of agricultural sector and increased output of agricultural and food products to the level that ensures regional food security) were chosen according to the initial and projected situation in food supply. This allowed the authors to apply statistical forecasting methods and make a matrix of key directions in the development of agricultural production according to the national security requirements, to identify significant differences between Russia’s regions and to present an optimal ratio of productivity and profitability, production and consumption of agricultural products for each territory. Thus, the article provides general theoretical ideas adapted to the current trends of social-economic and scientific-technical development to assess the role of agriculture and agro-industrial complex in Russian regions with different climatic conditions, and the authors formulate scientifically sound recommendations on the scope and directions for expanding agricultural specialization even in regions with unfavorable climatic conditions.