Economic potential research is a complex socio-economic process characterized by a variety of approaches to its implementation. One of the easiest of using is an elemental (resource) approach that should be considered comprehensively, carrying out a diagnostic of economic potential over all time periods of the research object. The research of the first two components (namely, resource and reserve components) is relevant, because the quality of its formation and using affects on the future outcome of the economic development of the research object. The purpose of the article is to study the prospects of economic potential development of the agricultural sector of Cherkasy region according to availability of appropriate resource and reserve provision Diagnostic of economic potential of regional agricultural sector consists of such key components as: researshing the possibilities of attracting resources that ensure the functioning and development of the agricultural sector at the regional level (characterizing the period of preparation for the main activity process, is the prospect of development); formation of the necessary reserves for the economic process (period of transformation the resources into reserves, taking into account internal competences and external capabilities); realization of the formed reserves (characterizes the effectiveness and consequences of formed reserves using). In the article the features of economic potential diagnostics of regional agricultural sector by the resource (element) approach are considered. Three key components of diagnostics are distinguished according to time intervals of the research object, such as: resource, reserve and result. The peculiarities of resource and reserve provision of economic potential of Cherkassy region agricultural industry are characterized, researching the property, labor and financial potential of the industry. In order to evaluate the property potential of agricultural sector of the region there was reviewed statistical data detailing the state of such resources as: land, agricultural machinery and equipment, long-term biological assets and property of agricltural enterprices. As resource indicators of labor potential was chosen such indicators as: population size, natural growth, demographic burden on the able-bodied population, unemployment rate, educational level, migration balance, salary. To characterize the financial potential of agricultural sector there was worked out such indicators as: state financial support of agricultural producers (cheapening of lending), volume of mastered capital investments in the agricultural area.