SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AGRICULTURE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR FOOD SECURITY IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The article attempts to explore the agriculture sustainability issues and its implications for food security in Ukraine. The study discusses a critical importance of agribusiness development for Ukraine's economy. However, it is observed that currently, this sector is facing a serious decline in production. A special emphasis is put that agriculture affects the national food security. In this context, the purpose of this study is to identify negative factors and offer pathways to enhance the agricultural sector productivity. To attain the research objectives, the empirical and theoretical scientific approaches as well as the research methods of observation, analysis and synthesis have been employed. This study also presents a ‘sustainable development’ concept interpretation along with revealing its core structural elements that characterize the contemporary state of agriculture from the three perspectives: economic, social and environmental. Accordingly, insights into each of these three aspects were provided that allowed to evaluate the agricultural performance, to assess a salary range in the industry as well as to examine soil fertility. The research findings have detected some negative trends in the agricultural sector development. In particular, the economic aspect perspective has demonstrated a yield decline and a reduction in livestock as well as a drop in labor productivity in agribusinesses. As it is reported, the social settings are characterized by large fluctuations in the payroll budgets in agricultural enterprises and the shortage in certain food products consumed by Ukrainians against physiologically justified norms of consumption of these products. The environmental aspect shows a decrease in the application of organic and mineral fertilizers which negatively affects the soil fertility. Given the above research outcomes, this study offers an action plan to promote sustainable development, boost productivity and enhance the agricultural industry efficiency.