Enhancement of agro-industrial complex competitiveness through it-based information system in transition economies: Case for Ukraine

Abstract

An issue of information system creating for agrarian sector and food-processing industry of Ukraine is considered in the paper. Essential failure of present agrarian policy of Ukraine is its orientation mostly on subsidizing of agro-producers. The majority of these producers are noncompetitive because of high transactional cost that is connected with their weak knowledge of a number of questions, beginning from the modern technologies up to information about the current market conjuncture. At the same time the government does not give enough support of the infrastructure development for agro-industrial complex (AIC), especially information one due to shortage of finance. The state support of the providing information services for the AIC subjects under market mechanisms is the key factor of effective agricultural policy in transition economies. The creation of efficient information system for AIC based on modern IT requires elaboration of special educational and training programs, especially for rural areas of Ukraine as well as industrial settlements where industry enterprises closure forces people to cultivate their own plots of land. In the paper basics of information system for AIC configuration is recommended and the main steps of its implementation in Ukraine are considered.