The Role of Russia’s Regions in Its Food Security

Abstract

In Russia, regionality is a powerful factor in the functioning of the national economy, particularly in relation to the agricultural sector. When addressing the numerous problems of national food security, federal and regional governments must play a central role in the regulation of agriculture and the food market. To accomplish this, the government should adopt a new national agricultural policy and develop a territorial-sectoral division of labor to create large-scale specialized production zones for certain types of agricultural products. This will facilitate interregional trade, maximize the natural and economic potential of each region, and increase the efficiency and competitiveness of agriculture. This article considers the organizational challenges facing national food security (e.g., isolationism, socioeconomic regional disparity) and reviews several government programs (e.g., the Food Security Doctrine) designed to support and regulate the agricultural sector. Finally, several additional measures are proposed (e.g., improved threshold values, international cooperation) that will help Russia achieve food security and become a major global agricultural producer.