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Purpose. The paper aims to examine the impact of the oblast center on regional socio-economic development in the context of the center-periphery relationship. Methodology / approach. The general scientific methods (analysis, synthesis, generalization, systematization, graphic method) and special ones (statistical analysis, comparison, organizational and managerial modeling) were the basis of the methodological approach. The author improved the scientific-methodological approach to the comprehensive evaluation of a region’s socio-economic development in terms of the center-periphery relationships based on interrelated stages and methods. It stipulates the research of the impact each district of a region has on the major socio-economic parameters of an oblast; calculation of the District Socio-Economic Development Index and its comparison with the district’s distance to the oblast center; evaluation of interdependencies between the districts’ shares in major socio-economic parameters of respective oblasts and their distance to the oblast center; and analysis of the development intensity of the oblast districts depending on their distance to the oblast center. Results. Testing the scientific-methodological approach on the example of three oblasts of Ukraine (Lvivska, Poltavska, and Chernihivska), which are developing in different spatial-geographic, socio-economic, and demographic conditions, has contributed to substantiating the features of generation and development of the center-periphery relationships in the regions with different initial development conditions; outlining the areas of socio-economic centers’ impact on the districts; detecting the intensity of positive stimulus generation and their absorption in the region considering the role of local “growth poles” in the process. Originality / scientific novelty. The paper further develops the theoretical-methodological foundations of researching the center-periphery relationships in a region at the oblast center – oblast area level. The results of calculations following the author’s methodological approach have allowed developing the space structure for Ukrainian regions under research in the context of the center-periphery relationships. Practical value / implications. The conducted research based on the methodology developed by the author is quite important both in terms of the scientific-methodological aspect and in the context of addressing the important regional development tasks and searching for balanced and coherent spatial development.

Purpose. The purpose of the article is to substantiate theoretical-and-methodological provisions for building investment portfolios in agribusiness by the criterion of minimizing environmental risk of selected investment-financing strategies. Methodology / approach. In the article, on the basis of the dialectical method of cognition, the following methods were used: abstract-logical – in the systematization of scientific papers on the problem of diversification and optimization of the agricultural investment portfolio; system analysis and comparison – in the study of portfolio theories and concepts; computational and constructive – in the analysis of environmental-and-economic factors of the profitability of agricultural land use; economic-and-mathematical modeling – in the process of modeling the optimal portfolio of agri-environmental investments by the criterion of minimizing the risk of a particular investor, caused by the action of soil degradation factor in Sumy region. The materials of the Main Department of Statistics in Sumy region and the Sumy regional branch of the Institute of Soil Protection of Ukraine have formed the informational basis of the research. Results. The optimization of the agri-environmental investment portfolio is due to the modification of the approach by the American Economist H. Markowitz “risk-return analysis” and its adaptation to the conditions of real investment. The paper uses a conservative approach to investment, which involves the construction of portfolios on the criterion of minimizing investment risk due to the influence of soil degradation for a particular investor. This factor requires the determination of the investor’s environmentally related risk, which manifests itself in the following directions: a) a decrease in crop yield due to the action of the factor of high soil pH; b) a decrease in the sales price for crop products because of contamination with heavy metals; c) an increase in the cost of agricultural production in deteriorated ecological conditions. Evaluation of agribusiness investment attractiveness on environmental-and-economic grounds provides for the consideration of the above areas from the standpoint of state, banking, foreign investment and self-investment. Assessment of investment quality identification is performed on the basis of calculation of the investor’s income elasticities to environmental risks on the example of Sumy region, which provides investment rationality decisions in the field of agricultural land use, considering environmental factors. It is substantiated that the highest investment quality is characterized by the bank’s investment financing strategy. Originality / scientific novelty. The methodological approach to the definition of investor’s environmental risk in agricultural land use is improved. It is calculated considering the influence of factors of environmental destruction of land and soil resources (soil pH, pollution with heavy metals, etc.) on sources of profit, as well as with the definition of returns on investment resources (crop yield, ecological sales price, and income). The system of environmental-and-economic indicators in the formation of the investment portfolio is substantiated, including the following: the structure of investments, which is developed considering the influence of the environmental factor; portfolio investment risk due to environmental factors; and the investment portfolio yield adjusted for the level of environmental risk which provides an assessment of the investment attractiveness of agricultural land use on an environmental-economic basis. A methodical approach to substantiate investment decisions in the agriculture of the Sumy region is proposed, which along with considering the environmental factor, is in calculating the elasticities of investor’s income to the environmental-and-economic risks, which increase the correctness of financial decision-making. Practical value / implications. Theoretical-and-methodological provisions and conclusions obtained in the study can be used to justify the direction of investment capital in the field of agricultural land use, considering the level of environmental-and-economic constraints.

Purpose. The purpose of the study, which results are submitted in the article, is to analyze the vertical price transmission along the milk supply chain in Ukraine and identify whether this price transmission is symmetric or asymmetric in terms of direction, magnitude, speed. Methodology / approach. To achieve the purpose of the study, we used the following research methods: logical operations (analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction) – to determine the structure of the milk supply chain, to make conclusions about main findings; the correlation analysis – to identify the tightness of links between farm’, processors’ and retailers’ prices; the trend modelling – to build the functions of the trend of prices of different levels of the milk supply chain; the regression modelling – to construct the regression functions of prices of downstream sectors of the milk supply chain; graphic – for visual presentation of main tendencies, pricing and price dynamics in the milk supply chain. The research was performed on the basis of the statistical data of the State Statistics Service of Ukraine for 2013–2020. Results. This paper presents the empirical evidence of asymmetric price transmission along the milk supply chain in Ukraine. The results of modelling proved asymmetric magnitudes of price growth at the organizational and technological stages of the milk supply chain: in the case of the farm prices of raw milk increase the processors’ and retailers’ prices grow up by a much bigger magnitude. There is no leg in price transmission in the milk supply chain, the price shocks at the farm level instantly pass to processors’ and retailers’ prices. The evidence of asymmetry of price transmission testifies the weaknesses of the market positions of farmers and consumers in the milk supply chain in Ukraine, points out the threats for the food security and sustainable development of all agents of this chain. Originality / scientific novelty. For the first time, the quantitative assessments of the magnitude and speed of the price changes in the process of price transmission in the milk supply chain in Ukraine were obtained. The asymmetry of the magnitudes of the vertical price transmission in the milk supply chain in Ukraine was identified. The hostage position of farmers in the case of price shocks was further proved. Practical value / implications. This paper provides a better understanding of arrangements of market forces in the milk supply chain, the consequences of price chocks in the upstream sector of the milk supply chain. The practical value is the methodological and empirical support for the development of regulative measures to improve the milk supply chain’s functioning and sustain food security. Assessment and analysis of the mechanism of price transmission reveals the weak parts of the food supply chain, contributing to the scientific foundation of elaborating the necessary policy actions for harmonization of relations between producers of different stages of the milk chain.

Purpose. The purpose of the study was to economically evaluate the condition of animal husbandry in the Republic of Kazakhstan and also to determine the necessity and possibility of the creation of an effective meat hub. Methodology / approach. The following methods were used: economic analysis and synthesis, comparison and analogy, systematization and generalization, factor analysis, institutional analysis, and modelling that helped identify problems of the livestock industry, and ways for its development. Results. The paper presents the results of the analysis of world and regional production and consumption of livestock and poultry; import and export of meat products in Asian countries, including Kazakhstan; the dynamics and structure of livestock in farms of different categories; the dynamics of gross income of livestock production of the republic; SWOT-analysis of efficiency of agricultural enterprises. Studying the meat market trends in the world and in the Republic of Kazakhstan, and also the dynamics of production and consumption of meat and meat products is a basis for argumentation when choosing strategically important measures on application of forms and ways of control, creation of the economic forecast, definition of the basic vectors of effective development of this industry in the long term taking into account influence of factors of various nature. Originality / scientific novelty. The study makes an original contribution by providing a comprehensive, evidence-based analysis of the current state and future prospects of Kazakhstan’s livestock sector, while proposing innovative structural solutions through a specialised meat hub to improve productivity, quality and competitiveness. Practical value / implications. The study suggests the need to enhance meat production to meet domestic demand and boost exports. Achieving this involves innovating meat processing and sales, improving animal productivity through genetic advancements, enhancing infrastructure, and establishing livestock centres. Ongoing monitoring of the meat market is essential for crafting strategies to improve the livestock sector. Besides, creating a “meat hub” model will reduce investment and operational expenses for production units, streamline production based on set standards and consumer demand, enhance product liquidity, and augment income for small entrepreneurial forms.

Purpose. This paper evaluates the involvement of three selected agricultural commodities (rice, coffee and soya) in international trade. The aim is to analyze the specification of foreign trade in selected commodities and assess their different significance between representations in domestic markets and exports. This article will also assess other contexts related to international trade in these three commodities, including the negative effects on their trade. Based on the set goal, a research question was asked which evaluates the different position of the examined agricultural commodities on world export markets in relation to domestic consumption. Methodology / approach. The theoretical anchoring of the issue under study are the approaches taken to international economic relations with the emphasis on the specific features of agricultural trade. The methodological framework of the present study is based on the systematic analysis of the spatial distribution of production capacities, the territorial analysis of exports and imports within the world agricultural market and qualitative evaluation of the specifics of selected export commodities and their role in the economy of countries, including labour market importance and in the possibilities of their use. Results. The paper presents the results of the involvement of the rice, coffee and soya in international trade analysis. Most rice production is consumed on domestic markets. Unlike rice, most of the coffee produced is exported and less is consumed within the growing countries themselves. Although domestic coffee consumption is increasing, more than 70% of world production is exported. Soya bean production has increased significantly over the past 50 years as a result of the rising demand for animal feedstuff and biofuels. Almost three quarters of soya bean production is consumed as feedstuff. Originality / scientific novelty. The main contribution of the article is in the application level the elaboration of a comparative view of three selected agricultural commodities. At the theoretical level of the study, it represents a contribution to the discussion within the approaches to the organization of global agricultural trade, the interdependence of economic policies of states, trade ties and the impact on labour markets in relation to production. Agricultural commodities remain an important item in world international trade. However, their share in the total volume is gradually declining. They play an important role in the maintenance of individual countries, but at the same time they are of great economic importance, although we can also mention the less positive aspects of their production, including their impact on the environment. At the same time, it is necessary to realize that this sector is essential for human survival and also that agriculture is important from the point of food security for the population, which can contribute to and increase the level of agricultural protectionism (resilience to world market disruptions or uncontrolled import of genetically modified (GM) food and the transmission of animal diseases). Agriculture is one of the most sensitive economic sectors in the world. Nevertheless, agricultural exports have several economic benefits, including stimulating a wide range of agricultural-related industries, transport suppliers, processing and farm inputs. Practical value / implications. The production of agricultural commodities is of great importance to the economies of individual states, where it contributes to the creation of direct, indirect and induced jobs. The agrarian sector is a key sector, especially for less developed countries. The analysis confirmed the high tradability of all commodities examined and is documented by their involvement in the international division of labour in the global projection.

Purpose. This paper aims to give a system-wide overview of agricultural life cycle assessment (LCA), based on the understanding of agriculture as a complex providing humanity with food, energy and other vital resources and considering all forms of sector’s influence: environmental, social, and economic. This review is intended to outline the temporal and geographical spread of agricultural LCA research, the main aspects studied with LCA in agriculture, and relevant scientific themes via bibliometric analysis and an overview of high-quality scientific publications in this field. Methodology / approach. This study used traditional bibliometric research techniques: performance analysis, scientific mapping, and network analysis. Bibliometric analysis was conducted through the Bibliometrix R package in the RStudio and its extension – Biblioshiny. The bibliographic collection covers 259 academic English-language articles indexed in Scopus for 1999–2022. Results. The study identifies a significant growth in a number of agricultural LCA publications, a tendency of current LCA research to continue and complement earlier research findings, and to accentuate environmental aspects of agricultural activity. Developed countries lead this field of research in terms of productivity and impact. However, LCA studies are geographically concentrated, and collaboration between developed and developing countries is weak. The following issues shape the agri-LCA research structure: greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions analysis; LCA of various impacts of agriculture; challenges of agriculture environmental impacts measuring; LCA usage to ensure agriculture sustainability; agri-LCA methodology. Emphasis on GHG emissions in agri-LCA could lead to biased decisions promoting climate-resilient agriculture but neglecting other impacts and dimensions of the sector’s sustainability. Originality / scientific novelty. It was found that the rapid development of the field of research featured a certain stability, continuity, and historical relationship between the issues studied. Research transform from a highly specialised topic into a broader one by the scope of publishing sources but are highly geographically concentrated and not equally distributed even within the European Union. As far as is known, these results have not been previously reported. Practical value / implications. The identified “closedness” of the research community leads to weak scientific progress. Sharing knowledge and involving a broader set of stakeholders to promote LCA application in agriculture globally must be a priority of scholars and policymakers.

Purpose. This research aims to quantify the willingness to pay (WTP) of urban residents in the Mekong Delta for the environmental and social benefits associated with renewable energy projects. By analysing their preferences and priorities regarding renewable energy implementation, this study aims to contribute to the increasing knowledge on the drivers of sustainable energy transitions in developing regions. Methodology / approach. This paper leverages a choice modeling (CM) framework to analyse the economic viability of renewable energy investments in Vietnam. The CM technique is advantageous for its ability to capture individual preferences for complex goods or services characterised by multiple attributes and trade-offs. This enables a detailed assessment of the diverse economic values associated with renewable energy sources, beyond their traditional energy generation capacity, including environmental externalities, social impacts, and potential synergies with other sectors. Results. Residents showed significant WTP for renewable energy initiatives improving landscape aesthetics, wildlife habitats, air quality, and job opportunities. Higher income, education, and knowledge level are positively associated with greater WTP. Younger respondents showed a strong position in favor of renewable energy sources. Households with more children were less likely to support the status quo, and married respondents were more pro-renewable. Perceived community involvement emerged as a significant factor in supporting renewable energy policies. Originality / scientific novelty. This study represents a novel application of CM within the Vietnamese context, providing valuable quantitative data for policymakers and stakeholders. By estimating WTP for specific renewable energy attributes, we inform cost-benefit assessments and support the development of efficient policies for managing renewable energy investments. This data facilitates resource allocation and prioritisation of projects with the highest societal value. Practical value / implications. Our findings underscore the crucial role of public awareness and education in driving renewable energy implementation. Residents with a clear understanding of the benefits demonstrate a higher WTP. Hence, we recommend a multifaceted communication strategy to educate the public about the environmental, social, and economic benefits of renewable energy. This involves utilising diverse channels like community meetings, media outreach, online platforms, and expert engagement to disseminate accurate and engaging information. By fostering knowledge and understanding, we can cultivate a strong public mandate for renewable energy investment, facilitating informed decision-making and accelerating the transition to a sustainable energy future in the Mekong Delta.

Purpose. This paper deals with analysis and assessment of the risks specific to the agricultural business under conditions of macroeconomic uncertainty associated with the war unleashed by russia on the territory of Ukraine. The performed study included the stability analysis of the agricultural holdings in Ukraine before and after the shock period, and their investment attractiveness. Methodology / approach. In the research process, a combination of methods of risk analysis of Ukrainian agricultural holdings during the shock period and the speed of recovery of their investment attractiveness was proposed. Daily stock rates of selected agricultural holdings served as information support for calculations. The sample was subdivided into three periods: before the shock, which was characterized by a certain level of stability; the shock period caused by the war; and the recovery period after the shock. The study was carried out with the use of the shock depth indication and the recovery level following the shock, the risk analysis based on VaR and CVaR approach and forecasting of further liquidity curve of the agricultural producers based on Holt-Winters’ model. Results. The depth of the fall in the shock period (Sd) and the level of recovery after the shock period (Rl) for agricultural holdings of Ukraine have been established. The Sd indicator ranged from -44 % to 71 %, and Rl averaged 56 %, which confirmed the insignificant level of recovery of capitalization of agricultural holdings. Positive trends of overcoming the shock period were established for all studied agricultural holdings of Ukraine. A significant difference in the liquidity of assets of agricultural holdings was revealed. Originality / scientific novelty. The originality of the research is the approbation of a set of methods that allow simultaneously considering various features of the manifestation of risks caused by russian full-scale armed aggression. Practical value / implications. The practical value of the research lies in the determination of the negative impact of the risks of shock periods and the assessment of the investment attractiveness of agricultural holdings, which can be used for decision-making. The proposed approaches can be recommended for the analysis of other agricultural enterprises and for potential investors in other periods of significant changes and in the post-war period.

Purpose. Potato is one of the most important crops to ensure food security globally; potato growing is also a source of income and livelihood for the poorest, especially in developing countries. In view of this, studies on factors affecting potato prices could stimulate agripolitical measures in food security, rural wealth, potato industry and small farms’ development. This paper aims to explore whether the factors affecting potato prices for business entities and farm households operating in the same (but peasant-driven) market are different. Based on the available statistical data and the research background, we focus on the relationships between wages, production (yields and harvested areas), and potato producers’ prices in Ukraine. Methodology / approach. Using the cross-sectional data on potato producer prices, harvested area, and yields of enterprises and households, and average monthly wages in Ukrainian regions for 2018–2020, we used a system of simultaneous equations to model behavior of potato producers’ prices (for enterprises and households) through the two-stage least squares method. Results. The Ukrainian potato industry is featured high rates of potato self-provision (through subsistence farming) and the dominance of farm households at the market, allowing exploring trends and factors of peasant-driven potato market development. The results obtained through modelling of an interrelation of potato producer prices indicate different potato price determinants for enterprises and households: price in enterprises adjusts to fluctuations of potato yields in both enterprises and households (calculated average elasticities are -0.27 and -0.55, respectively, indicating the more significant influence of the latter); households’ price responds to changes of enterprises’ potato prices and average monthly wage rates (with average elasticities 0.49 and 1.35, respectively). Originality / scientific novelty. Research results empirically evidence that households’ dominance and a large portion of food self-provision constrain the potato industry development. This enhances a better understanding of subsistence farming’s impact on markets and food industry development and extends the theoretical framework of households’ economics and peasant-driven market functioning. Practical value / implications. Understanding the role of households in the slow (obstacle) development of the potato industry reveals the need for a policy promoting storage and potato processing capacities development that could mitigate the adverse effects of peasant-driven market performance, decrease price vulnerability, and facilitate potato industry growth.

Purpose. The purpose of the current research is identification and integral estimation of ecological determinants of forming environment of an area’s social vulnerability (on the example of the oblasts of the Carpathian region of Ukraine). Methodology / approach. The empirics of environment of the social vulnerability based on the identification of ecological components is carried out by construction of commensurate series of indicators’ values through the normalizing for each group of parameters, in particular, within the selected set of areas (oblasts of the Carpathian region). The construction of time series of significance coefficients (calculation of weight coefficients) stipulates the use of the theory of sensitivity, while the calculation of the integral coefficient of the social vulnerability natural environment requires the multiplicative approach. Results. The calculated integral coefficients of the natural environment of social vulnerability contributed to determining the living standards of the population of the natural resource sector and showed a significant socio-ecological divergence among the oblasts of the Carpathian region and Ukraine. In 2019, the highest values of integral coefficients of social vulnerability natural environment in the Carpathian region of Ukraine were observed in Ivano-Frankivsk (0.574) and Chernivtsi (0.391) oblasts. Ivano-Frankivsk oblast was the leader in that regard throughout the studied period. Originality / scientific novelty. The methodological approach for analyzing the social vulnerability of the area has been improved, which, unlike the traditional ones based on determinants of the social, economic, and political environment, provides for a comprehensive analysis of the sensitivity of changes in the social vulnerability of the territory regarding the changes in the natural environment determinants. Practical value / implications. The paper offers and substantiates a methodological approach to the estimation of ecological determinants as the indicators of an area’s vulnerability growth, which serves as the information-analytical base for the development of the initiative-taking social vulnerability reduction policy.

Purpose. The purpose of the study is to analyse and systematise the smart priorities of the territories of Central and Eastern Europe with a focus on the sustainable development of the agricultural sector and to identify current trends in the innovative development of agriculture. Methodology / approach. The main research method is benchmarking which includes identification, comparative analysis, generalisation and application of best practices in various fields of activity. The authors’ methodology of regional benchmarking has been tried out in the work. The methodology provides implementation of a set of scientific and analytical measures at the following stages: (1) mapping and identification of smart priorities in focal economic activities; (2) analysis of regional priorities according to the European goals of smart specialisation policy including the structure of their selection; (3) studying the content and goals of the regional priorities establishing cross-sectoral links; (4) examination of the exploit of established and emerging clusters in the regional smart specialisation with identification of their localisation and selected priority areas; (5) analysis of interregional cooperation in smart specialisation domains; (6) processing and formalisation of the obtained research results. Results. We identified and analysed 44 priorities involving the agricultural sector, which belongs to 12 Central and Eastern European countries. The dominant policy objectives of smart specialisation of these territories are Sustainable Innovation, Public Health & Security and Key Enabling Technologies, which are mainly focused on achieving sustainable agriculture, establishing bioeconomy and providing food security & safety. These smart specialisation domains at the national and sub-national levels clearly contribute to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Priorities were grouped according to their internal goals and content, which allowed identifying key trends of innovative development of the territories with the involvement of the agricultural sector. It is concluded that the regions combine knowledge and assets through the intensification of cross-sectoral, interregional cooperation and the use of clusters. We determined that cross-sectoral links within smart priorities are mostly formed within existing value chains, but recently, new cross-sectoral and interregional partnerships emerge and actively develop. They are mainly focused on the diffusion of innovative bio- and digital technologies in agro-food systems. We highlighted the key issues that need to be addressed by regional working groups while selecting the smart priorities of the Ukraine’s regions. Originality / scientific novelty. This paper presents the results of the thematic research in a new understudied direction – Smart Specialisation Strategies for Sustainability. Based on the authors’ methodology of regional benchmarking, the smart priorities in the agricultural sector of Central and Eastern European countries have been analysed. Practical value / implications. The results of the study can be used by regional working groups of the Entrepreneurial discovery process to draw up possible ways of agricultural development. The obtained results may also be of interest to researchers from different countries involved in the implementation of smart specialisation approach and the improvement of its methodology.

Purpose. The purpose of the article is to identify current problems of strengthening the social capital of rural territorial communities in the context of administrative and territorial reform with the definition of directions for their solution. Methodology / approach. The paper uses general scientific methods of analysis and synthesis to collect, process, and systematize the results of scientific research; abstract-logical and critical analysis – to identify possible risks due to the implementation of administrative-territorial reform; statistical – for data collection and systematization; method of comparisons – to identify the compliance of the dynamics of various forms of social capital to the potential of communities; graphic – to visualize the results of the assessment of the new spatial configuration of socio-territorial communities and the dynamics of accumulation of various forms of social capital; correlation and regression analysis – to determine the impact of certain indicators of social capital development on the economy of rural communities; induction and deduction – to substantiate the main directions of social capital development of rural communities in modern conditions. Results. Restrictions on the development of social capital accumulation have been identified, which include: shadowing of interaction and low trust in social institutions, individualization of behavioral strategies, growth of economically inactive and socially vulnerable groups, and formation of networks of discriminatory relationships, spreading of norms of destructive social behavior, as well as the risks that may arise in the new spatial configuration of socio-territorial communities. It is established that the administrative-territorial reform at the local level has created certain preconditions for strengthening the potential of horizontally and vertically integrating social capital. It was found that the dynamics of territorial identification of the population of Ukraine in relation to their community is negative and indicates low social capital at the local level. The dynamics of forms of horizontally integrating social capital of rural communities, which are represented by agricultural cooperatives, farms, and inter-community cooperation, are analyzed and it is found that the potential of their development in Ukraine has not been realized yet. The necessity of implementation of systemic decisions on the development of social capital of communities to achieve the main goals of decentralization of management is proved. The main directions of the development of social capital of rural communities are substantiated taking into account modern features of their development. Originality / scientific novelty. The specifics of the formation of social capital of rural communities as small local communities are analyzed, taking into account the main determinants of influence, which include increasing territorial mobility and maintaining the asymmetry of spatial development in the direction of the center-periphery, the choice of adaptive behavioral strategies due to changes in the territorial identification of the population and the assessment of opportunities to achieve a certain level of well-being in the community. The main directions of social capital development as a prerequisite for uniting and mobilizing internal resources for rural development are substantiated based on existing problems and identified potential risks due to the reform of local self-government and territorial organization of government. Scientific and methodological bases of research on social capital at the local level under conditions of social and economic instability are improved. Practical value / implications. The results of the study will be useful for local governments of territorial communities formed as a result of local government reform and territorial organization of government, as well as district and regional state administrations, which focus on promoting inclusive community development and self-sufficiency.

Purpose. The purpose of this article is to understand how Vietnamese policies for labour impacting on wage of rural labourers in agricultural sector. To do that, the paper particularly pays attention on analyzing wage of hired farm labourers in the Red River Delta region, the rice basket of Vietnam. Methodology / approach. Analyzing the above-mentioned impact of Vietnamese policies was performed by using data surveyed from 150 hired farm labourers in the Red River Delta of Vietnam. The survey on wages of rural labourers was conducted in Bac Ninh, Thai Binh and Hai Duong which are the three typical agricultural production areas in the Red River Delta in 2019. In this survey, the author interviewed 150 people who work as hired labourers in rice cultivation in Bac Ninh, clam farming in Thai Binh and pig raising in Hai Duong. The sample was randomly drawn among farm households which hire labourers in these provinces. This sample was divided into 2 groups of female and male labourers. The main purposes of this survey were to gather both qualitative and quantitative data on hired labourers including: age, gender, education level, money wage, wage in kind and other remunerations that they received from employers. Information relating to their participation in social insurance and vocational training were also collected like: number of years involving in social insurance; money that they used to purchase social insurance; frequency and time spending in vocational training courses. The personal interviews using a standard questionnaire with open and close questions were implemented separately with male and female hired farm labourers. They were interviewed in different places to ensure that their responses do not affect others. After checking for missing values, the author used the following methods: frequency distribution with mean and standard deviation for a description of respondents; cross tabulation and T-test were also used to test for differences in proportions and significant difference between groups; a linear regression model was applied to examine impact of wage regulation, social insurance and vocational training policies on wage of hired labourers in agricultural production (dependent variable was average money wage per month, it was estimated by sum of money wage and other remunerations that a labourer gets each month; independent variables were age, gender, education level and dummy variables which represented labourers’ participation in mentioned labour policies). Results. Among policies relating to agricultural sector, the ones about minimum wage and vocational training statistically impact the most on labour wage. Longer time of vocational training brings an additional 3 USD to a labourer’s monthly wage. Being supported by the policy of minimum wage, labourers can achieve higher wage when negotiating with employers. The author found that wage of a labourer who is aware of this policy is about 5 USD higher than that of others. Meanwhile, social insurance policies do not impact on wage of rural farm labourers. It is stated in the Labour Code that a part of social insurance fee of a contracted labourer is paid by his/her employer. However, hired agricultural labourers usually are excluded, because they mostly work under verbal agreements which are not specified by the Code. This loophole in the Labour Code need to be corrected in the future. Originality / scientific novelty. Despite the fact that industrialization process is rapidly developing in recent years, rural labour force still contributes a remarkable proportion in the Red River Delta region of Vietnam. The transferring skilled and young labourers from farm to off-farm sectors, from rural to urban areas leads to the existence of un-skilled and old-age labourers for agricultural production. This labour force is working in the poor condition with unstable and low wage jobs. However, they are not much concerned by labour policies and there is still a gap in research on their wage. Therefore, this study takes the advance to shed the light on the impact of labour policies on wage of rural farm labourers as well as to propose recommendations to adjust labour policies regarding this issue. Practical value / implications. The author identifies that attending vocational training and understanding of minimum wage will increase the chance for labourers to obtain higher wage.

Purpose. The main objective of this paper is (і) to determinate the economic loss due to crop productivity loss caused by soil erosion in Ukraine, and (іі) to present the results of the econometric modeling of soil erosion impact on the efficiency crop production at the regional and district level. Methodology / approach. This study uses the following methods: expert assessments and monographic (for the assessment of economic losses due to crop productivity loss from spreading soil erosion); graphical (for building three-dimensional graphs); econometric modeling (to develop a mathematical model of the dependence of the gross crop production and income from sales per 100 hectares from the share of eroded arable land in its total area and production costs in crop industry per 100 hectares); abstract-and-logical (for generalization of the research results). To solve the assigned tasks, linear and quadratic econometric models (production functions) were developed using a dataset (і) from 168 observations (on the example of Ukrainian regions for 2010–2016) and (ii) from 189 observations (on the example of districts of Kharkiv region for 2010–2016). This study was conducted in order to test the hypothesis that the increase in the area of eroded arable land has a negative effect on the gross output of crop production. Results. Our expert assessment of economic losses due to crop productivity loss from spread of soil erosion on agricultural land in Ukraine is 224 mln USD. The obtained results confirm the hypothesis about the negative relationship between gross crop output and the level of land erosion. The obtained data confirm that an increase in the area of eroded arable land by 1 % leads to a decrease in the gross output of crop production by 0.20 % per 100 hectares of agricultural land in total, and in the third group of the studied subjects (the share of eroded arable land in their total area is more than 50 %) – by 0.61 %, respectively. Originality / scientific novelty. For the first time, linear and nonlinear (quadratic) econometric models were developed, which made it possible to carry out quantitative assessment of the impact of the soil erosion and the financial support (production costs in crop industry) per hectare on the formation of the financial results (gross crop output and income) of business entities in Ukrainian agriculture. The provision on the economics of soil erosion was further developed in terms of expert assessment of losses from this type of degradation and confirmation of the effect of the economic law of diminishing returns, which should be taken into account when developing measures for sustainable land management. Practical value / implications. The main results of the study can be used for the development, substantiation and implementation of soil protection measures for the sustainable use of agricultural land and/or to informed decision-making at different levels of management concerning restoration of eroded land.

Purpose. The aim of the article is to identify the benefits of the chosen strategy of agribusiness (profit maximization, or yield maximization) based on the statistical observations of yields and production factors (fertilizers, plant protection products). Methodology / approach. To analyze productivity growth in grain production under the influence of innovative technologies the data of long-term observations of winter wheat yield in Germany and the United States were selected. In this paper, to analyze the prerequisites and prospects for stabilizing of the crop production, mineral fertilizers and plant protection products were selected as production factors affecting the yield of wheat. Methods of time series analysis and nonlinear econometric analysis were used to assess the impact of these factors. Long-term trends of growth of wheat yields in Germany, the USA and Ukraine were analyzed using regression models. The general model of agrarian business profitability in grain production is based on non-linear correlations of individual factors of intensification and panel regression. In order to substantiate the conclusions of the calculation, the estimation of climatic risks is used. For this purpose, dispersion methods, nonlinear optimization methodology are used. Results. Estimates of wheat yield fluctuations due to climate risks show that they will not significantly affect the problem of food security, so there is no need to impose restrictions on the export of wheat. On the choice of optimal strategy, based on analysis using econometric model of decreasing marginal utility of production resources, it is proved that the maximization of yields is achieved at lower costs than profit maximization. Originality / scientific novelty. The main contribution of the article to the level of application is to analyze the impact of production factors on wheat yield, taking into account climatic risk and reducing the marginal utility of production factors. At the theoretical level of the study, it represents a contribution to the discussion of the vectors of the optimal path of wheat production in Ukraine. Analysis of data on wheat yield variability in Germany and the USA showed correlation of profitability and risk (indicators of expected yield and its variance). However, this means that an increase in wheat yields in Ukraine will also increase its variability and therefore requires the implementation of a long-term strategy that can ensure stable growth. Practical value / implications. Based on the above calculations, it should be emphasized that the Ukrainian agrarian business (in particular, crop production) is developing its own way, not following the development path of Germany or the USA. However, some peculiarities of the development can be highlighted. After a rather long recession, the agricultural sector has embarked on a path of stable growth with an annual increase in wheat yields of around 1 hundred kg/ha. Furthermore, the extremely low proportion of forested land in Ukraine by European standards significantly increases the impact of weather and climate risks. Therefore, a further intensification of crop production while increasing the share of forested land at the expense of less productive land is probably the way to an ecologically balanced development of agriculture.

Purpose. The purpose of this paper was to determine motivational factors of structural changes in the agro-industrial sector of Ukraine, which will strengthen the ability of business entities to generate larger added value flows and increase efficiency through the development of strategic network partnerships. Methodology / approach. While writing the article the following methods were used: methods of economic and statistical analysis – to study the dynamic of indicators that reflect the results of sectoral structural changes of the enterprises’ activities in the sector of agriculture, forestry and fisheries of Ukraine during 2016–2019; critical analysis – to identify shortcomings in the legislative field of Ukraine, which deform motivational vectors, negatively affect the development of agro-industrial complex; morphological analysis and synthesis – to prove the feasibility of interpreting the term “network capital” in a narrow and broad sense; scientific abstraction and graphic visualization – to build the model of formation of network capital and use in the processes of organizational interaction of participants in a strategic business partnership; mathematical modelling – to formalize the conditions under which the network partnership participants will avoid manipulation by the expert environment in the apportionment of the costs and revenues from the implementation of business projects. Results. It has been studied the dynamic of indicators that reflect the results of the sectoral and structural changes in activities of Ukrainian enterprises in the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector during 2016–2019. It has been highlighted shortcomings in the legislative field of Ukraine, which distort the vectors of motivational influence on the development of agro-industrial complex, causing the corruption schemes spread in the decisions and actions of economic agents. The essential content of the term “network capital” in a narrow and broad interpretation has been differentiated and the motivational basis for its increase by the business network participants has been highlighted. The processes of formation and use of network capital in the inter-organizational interaction of participants of strategic business partnership have been modelled. Nash equilibrium theory has been applied to increase the reliability of the position assessment of business network participants in the total costs and revenues apportionment and it has been proved that this forms the motivational basis for long-term cooperation. Originality / scientific novelty. The author’s interpretation of the term “network capital” in a broad and narrow sense with emphasis on motivational aspects of this capital increasing in the agro-industrial business network has been proposed. The model of network capital formation and use in the processes of organizational interaction of participants in a strategic business partnership has been constructed. There have been modelled the conditions under which the participants of the network partnership will avoid manipulation by the expert environment in the apportionment processes of costs and revenues from the business projects implementation, which will improve their motivation to cooperate. Practical value / implications. The main results of the study can be used for (i) elimination of some gaps in the institutional environment of Ukraine, which distort the motivational vectors of agricultural development; (ii) managing growth processes of network capital to increase the aggregate ability of business network participants to create new consumer value with high added value; (iii) improving the motivational basis for long-term cooperation of business network participants by increasing the reliability of their positions assessment in the total costs and revenues apportionment.