Objective – problems of discrepancy between rate of potential growth of economic systems and possibility of ensuring reproductive processes due to intensive use of natural resources, as well as risks of environmental disasters are shown.

Methods – strategic management in determining factors of macroeconomic growth, based on systems approach, socio-economic mechanism for managing competitiveness of agro-industrial complex is considered.

Results – the study revealed insufficient attention to primary initiatives for stabilizing agro-industrial production related to monitoring indicators in this area, which necessitated the search for new models aimed at eliminating such contradictions. Over the past two decades, a number of programs have been implemented in Kazakhstan aimed at stable progress, innovative transformations in agricultural sector at international, national and regional levels.

Conclusions - the authors believe that in order to achieve complex economic, social and environmental goals of building economy of the republic, it is necessary to adjust the existing concept of transition of the Republic of Kazakhstan to sustainable development based on development of long-term and tactical plans and measures to reduce existing risks. The balance of target indicators is possible if the conditions for interaction of certain elements are met: conducting agricultural activities and complying with environmental standards; stimulating social component and generating consumer demand for environmentally friendly goods; reducing harmful impact on the environment and rural areas; increasing the profitability of agricultural entities and increasing the level of employment; it is important to expand markets for agricultural products. To support domestic food exports, it is necessary not only to modernize and increase processing and storage capacities, but also take measures to update the rolling stock and logistics schemes. The results obtained can be used by all participants in the process of transforming agriculture in the context of digitalization.

The increase in population and increasing burden on food production characterize the formulation of issues of increasing efficiency of agriculture and ensuring food security as particularly in demand and requiring urgent solutions. Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are capable of making significant contribution to optimization of agricultural processes.

The goal - is to determine priority areas of research into scientific interests in cybernetic devices in agro-industrial complex.

The methods are based on systematic literature review of the works of domestic and foreign scientists using the Biblioshiny software package for the use of intelligent systems, computer modeling of various intelligence capabilities in agricultural sector.

The results showed noticeable increase in the level of knowledge in the field of computer skills to imitate human actions. Thanks to machine methods, farmers can get the opportunity to modernize their farms and improve quality of their products. Taking into account the factors affecting crop yields, neural networks build accurate forecasts, helping to make the right decisions in planning and management process in agro-industrial complex. With the help of technologies, such operations as sowing, weeding, weed control, and harvesting are automated. Works controlled by "smart machines" maximize labor productivity and reduce labor costs. It has become popular to practice AI in growing grain crops, in vegetable growing, precision farming to reduce water consumption for irrigation, forecasting gross harvest, as well as animal husbandry, for example, in cattle breeding and feeding.

Conclusions - the number of publications on the topic under study has increased significantly over the past eight years. It is noted that in the near future, the synergy effect of artificial intelligence with genetic engineering, biotechnology and nanotechnology will become widespread. The popularity of digital intelligence is due to high results, rationalization of human labor. To ensure competitiveness and obtain the necessary profit in agricultural formations, the use of AI technologies is inevitable. This publication will be useful for agricultural specialists, as well as scientists and researchers involved in computer programming and artificial intelligence modeling.

One of the ways to improve the efficiency of agro-industrial complex in the context of digital transformation is creation of single digital ecosystem, which implies coordination and integration of participants and results of scientific research in a single information environment.

Objective - modern digital natural biological ecosystems are considered, oriented towards the use of innovative technologies in agriculture, increasing production volumes, and ensuring food security of the country.

Methods - a review of scientific publications on a new model - digital biosphere as a fundamental element of digital economy; calculation of the effectiveness of the use of hydroponic units in agricultural sector and results of experimental work on growing tomatoes and lettuce; collection and analysis of quantitative data on the state and trends in the expansion of farm outlets.

Results - the authors analyzed statistical data on the current state of city farm market in the world. It is noted that the most promising direction in the republic is distribution of hydroponic devices for growing microgreens, indicators of its yield are presented, the advantages of hydroponics compared to traditional practice are shown. The profitability of producing drinks from microgreens and tarragon, cultivated in aqueous solution of nutrients, is determined.

Conclusions - within the framework of the project, specialized experimental hydroponic installation was created to test the processes of cultivating tomato seedlings and lettuce. From the position of the authors, comprehensive digital modernization of agro-industrial complex will reduce costs of implementing digital transformation programs with significant economic effect, facilitate exchange of data and resources between farmers, suppliers, processors and retailers, increase productivity, reduce pro-duction costs, peasant (farming) households will gain broad access to domestic and foreign sales markets.

The article considers current issues of agritourism as one of the key areas of sustainable development of rural areas of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The main attention is paid to the potential of tourism industry in the East Kazakhstan region, its impact on socio-economic situation of rural regions, preservation of natural and cultural heritage, as well as creation of new jobs. Objective – to study the advantages and opportunities of rural tourism in the region, determine its prospects and mechanisms of integration into the country's economy. Methods – economic and comparative analysis of statistical sources. When conducting a survey of local entrepreneurs and monitoring the state of tourism infrastructure, the field research method was used. As an example, results of successful implementation of agritourism projects in the Katon-Karagay and Markakol districts are presented. Originality – the work reflects the importance of tourism agribusiness as a driver for revitalizing the rural economy of the republic. The use of international experience allows to identify innovative areas for the formation of competitive tourism product. Results - it has been determined that the expansion of agro-tourism sphere contributes to improving the living standard of rural population, reducing migration, popularizing national traditions and strengthening tourism brand of Kazakhstan. The main barriers are lack of developed infrastructure complex, effective regulatory framework, low level of marketing and insufficient support for farms. Based on the study, recommendations have been developed, including justification for the need to improve legislative framework, attract investment in service services, conduct marketing activities and involve local communities in distribution of agro-tourism services. Conclusions - the authors focus on feasibility of assessing economic efficiency of the tourism market, strengthening the role of state regulation of ecotourism, including on the basis of existing economic entities.

Objective - study the current state and determine the prospects of milk and dairy products market of Kazakhstan in the context of ensuring food security of the country.

Methods - in theoretical section of publication, general scientific methods were used, which made it possible to ensure the validity and reliability of generalizations, conclusions and proposals. The information base of scientific work consisted of materials of the Bureau of National Statistics of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan, current regulatory legal acts. Secondary information was collected and analyzed. The initial data were indicators of development of dairy sector for 2022-2024.

Results - the situation in the dairy subcomplex of the republic was analyzed, the existing trends were identified. It is shown that despite the reduction in the number of cows in agricultural enterprises (from 9.3% in 2022 to 8% in 2024), the share of milk production in them increased, respectively, from 15.8 to 19.3% in 2024, which is explained by growth in the efficiency of dairy farming industry in economic entities. The increase in volume of cow's milk produced in agricultural enterprises was achieved due to excess of the rate of increase in livestock productivity compared to dynamics of their population growth.

Conclusions - it has been determined that one of the main reasons limiting the potential of dairy cattle breeding is shortage of feed, production volumes of which are significantly less than required in accordance with zootechnical standards. The factors influencing the level of food security of dairy segment of agro-industrial complex are identified, and measures of state support are proposed as main guarantor of its provision. The low level of profitability of milk production does not contribute to attracting investment. It is necessary to develop strategy aimed at import substitution, increasing competitiveness of national product, maintaining economic and physical accessibility for the population.

Agricultural production insurance is widely used in world practice as one of the effective methods of protection against the influence of negative factors (weather and business risks) on the performance of agricultural producers. Assistance to farms in combating losses caused by emergency situations in agricultural sector is a form of state support for gardeners to ensure sustainable development of the sub-sector.

The goal is to justify the need for prospective and retrospective analysis of effectiveness of apple orchard insurance system to ensure profitability of agribusiness and consumers of their own products in fresh and processed form.

Methods - comparisons, generalizations of economic indicators in the study of apple market in the republic for 2019-2023, consideration of the dynamics of their imports, as well as the main importing countries.

Results - production volumes of this industry segment were determined, assessment of modern approaches to insurance services for apple orchards was given, problems in agricultural insurance of perennial crops were identified, the need for analysis of regulatory insurance of agricultural risks in cultivation of apple trees was indicated, the role of local government in solving financial and organizational issues of improving farmers' insurance was substantiated.

Conclusions - the international practice of insuring agricultural entities contributes to ensuring economic sustainability of agro-industrial complex through improving insurance mechanism and large-scale insurance activities in agribusiness, reducing impact of weather and agricultural risk events, and increasing responsibility of participants in insurance processes. Serious obstacle to the use of insurance products is unstable financial condition of gardeners, which does not allow them to carry out insurance on voluntary basis. In addition, the underdevelopment of integrated logistics and significant volumes of imported products hinder the development of market for such a mass-market product as apples in the republic.

Agricultural production insurance is widely used in world practice as one of the effective methods of protection against the influence of negative factors (weather and business risks) on the performance of agricultural producers. Assistance to farms in combating losses caused by emergency situations in agricultural sector is a form of state support for gardeners to ensure sustainable development of the sub-sector.

The goal is to justify the need for prospective and retrospective analysis of effectiveness of apple orchard insurance system to ensure profitability of agribusiness and consumers of their own products in fresh and processed form.

Methods - comparisons, generalizations of economic indicators in the study of apple market in the republic for 2019-2023, consideration of the dynamics of their imports, as well as the main importing countries.

Results - production volumes of this industry segment were determined, assessment of modern approaches to insurance services for apple orchards was given, problems in agricultural insurance of perennial crops were identified, the need for analysis of regulatory insurance of agricultural risks in cultivation of apple trees was indicated, the role of local government in solving financial and organizational issues of improving farmers' insurance was substantiated.

Conclusions - the international practice of insuring agricultural entities contributes to ensuring economic sustainability of agro-industrial complex through improving insurance mechanism and large-scale insurance activities in agribusiness, reducing impact of weather and agricultural risk events, and increasing responsibility of participants in insurance processes. Serious obstacle to the use of insurance products is unstable financial condition of gardeners, which does not allow them to carry out insurance on voluntary basis. In addition, the underdevelopment of integrated logistics and significant volumes of imported products hinder the development of market for such a mass-market product as apples in the republic.

The relevance of using non-traditional feed in livestock production is due to the need to improve the quality of animal diet, cost-effectiveness, which allows balancing it to optimal ratio of essential nutrients for the reproduction of highly productive cattle and poultry.

The goal - is to show possibility of using non-traditional forage crops in livestock complex, develop recommendations for the use of rare plant species and varieties and their introduction.

Methods - monographic, analytical, dialectical approach, abstract-logistical in studying theory of production of concentrates of plant and animal origin, assessing their feasibility, adapting their rare types in Kazakhstan.

Results - the authors found that rational use of non-traditional sources of raw materials saves feeding costs, contributes to increase in quantity and quality of livestock products produced, increase in productivity and decrease in cost. It is proposed to use Jerusalem artichoke, acorn flour, locust flour and quinoa as non-traditional feed additives in livestock industry as available cultivation technologies. The economic effect of consuming non-traditional feed is reduction in cost of forage production and decrease in import volumes. Scientific experience in non-traditional crops in forage production will expand the raw material base and increase nutritional value of compound feed products.

Conclusions - to meet the need for high-calorie premixes, it is necessary to introduce alternative agricultural crops for feeding animals. Non-traditional plant feeds promote fertility and bioproductivity of farm animals and strengthen their health. Training and consulting of farmers on new varieties of feed mixtures, the agronomic importance of growing perennial forage grasses, their biological characteristics, difficulties of fattening, standardization and their introduction into the diet are required. According to the author, cooperation with research institutes and universities is necessary, which will significantly increase interest in wild plant feed.

Stable growth of agricultural production volumes combines the solution of economic, social and environmental problems, ensuring long-term efficiency of the industry in the context of limited natural resources and climate change.

Objective - analysis of trends in improving the performance and building potential of rice farms in Kazakhstan. Scientific research is aimed at identifying the main problems, determining the ways to solve them and possibility of increasing the profitability of rice growing, taking into account modern challenges and prospects.

Methods - retrospective for obtaining data for the past period of time, comparative analysis when comparing the information obtained.

Results - based on monitoring of individual enterprises, methodology for calculating sustainability of development of rice-growing complexes was tested, recommendations for increasing their profitability were developed. The results of the study demonstrated that the break-even criteria of one of the analyzed economic entities are at satisfactory level (generalized index is 1.01), which indicates balance of economic, environmental and social indicators. On the contrary, index value of the second entity is below one (0.98), which indicates the need to improve strategies for coordinating, monitoring and increasing effectiveness of its activities. The proposed methodology is flexible tool that can be adapted to the specifics of various agricultural firms cultivating this crop. The role of digitalization as a factor contributing to optimization of production processes, reducing ecological footprint and strengthening social structure is noted.

Conclusions - the results obtained confirm the importance of integrated approach to continuous balanced progressive movement for practical implementation of goals set for agro-industrial complex and will find application in strategic planning and assessment of regulatory impact aimed at strengthening economic and financial components of the participants in the Kazakhstan rice market.

The dairy cattle breeding industry makes a large contribution to food balance of the republic, provides industry with raw materials, and the population - with biologically valuable food products. Increasing efficiency of milk production is becoming a major task for both large and small dairy agri farms. A successful solution to this problem will increase production indicators, reduce cost of production and increase its competitiveness in the Kazakhstan dairy market.

The purpose of the study is to analyze the key criteria that determine profitability of milk production in peasant (farming) households of the Almaty region based on stochastic frontier approach (SFA) model.

Methods - comparative analysis, generalization, statistical, SFA are used to consider general trends and patterns of development of small business entities.

Results - using the SFA model, the relationship between costs and volumes of obtained raw materials was studied. The authors identified main factors that have a significant impact on the performance, productivity of cattle and quality of dairy farms, reducing costs of herd maintenance, labor costs and equipment. It should be noted that there is low level of investment in production processes in modernization, high feed prices.

Conclusions - in order to expand capabilities and strengthen the potential of dairy sector, it is necessary to optimize labor costs for breeding and grazing cattle by mastering modern feeding technologies and veterinary services, organize training of highly qualified personnel, invest in modern agricultural equipment, improve livestock genetics, breeding work, introduce zootechnical innovations, and apply modern farm management systems. A comprehensive solution to these problems will ensure sustainable development of dairy cattle breeding in the Almaty region and increase its contribution to the country's food security.

The fat and oil industry is of key importance in almost all areas: for poultry farming, feed manufacturers, as well as for production of dairy and confectionery food products.

The goal is to show the state of fat and oil segment of food sector of Kazakhstan, problems and ways to solve them.

Methods - analytical for the purpose of integrating indicators and establishing patterns of growing and processing oilseeds, comparative - when assessing factors, conditions and resources of oil and fat subcomplex of the republic within international space, based on case study method, specific business situations were studied, systems approach for comprehensive study of dependencies between main components of the stage of manufacturing fat and oil products.

Results - analysis revealed significant reasons limiting the efficiency of processing enterprises: lack of raw materials, low quality of seed material, low level of renewal of fixed assets, depreciation of machinery and equipment, lack of modern technology and innovative technologies, lack of investment. It is substantiated that sustainable development of oil and fat industry requires a systematic approach, in particular, increasing the area of sown with oilseeds through subsidies and investment in advanced developments of production processes.

Conclusions - measures aimed at stabilizing oil and fat industry, import substitution, and increasing export potential are proposed as solutions. Particular attention is paid to improving skills of producers and processors of the country's agroindustrial complex, which will contribute to the growth of its economic efficiency. The implementation of these measures will increase the volume of domestic production of vegetable oils, create jobs, improve social situation in rural areas, ensure food security of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and strengthen competitive position of Kazakhstani goods in international markets.

Aim - to present the current level of information support for agricultural land use, problems and propose ways to solve them based on the use of digital technologies.

Methods - monographic in order to study foreign experience, digital innovations in agricultural production, analytical - when analyzing the state of land assets and availability of unused agricultural land, statistical - for collecting and processing information in the context of research objects, cartographic - when considering land ownership schemes, monitoring and detecting negative changes, as well as developing predictive solutions to eliminate them.

Results - the practice of foreign countries in using digital infrastructure in the process of forming land resources has proven the need for their use in the republic to build a model of sustainable development of rural areas. It has been determined that digitalization plays a key role in modern land management. The data content in information systems has been analyzed. It was revealed that from 2018-2021 about 208 billion tenge was allocated for digital transformation, however, despite costs, effectiveness of this program was low. It is noted that the volume of provision of electronic public services in the online format has been brought to 90% (with a plan of 60%). The advantages and potential opportunities for introduction of geoinformation technologies in digital land use are justified. The main barrier to digital modernization of agriculture remains the poor provision of the Internet in rural areas.

Conclusions - agricultural land sector is fully covered by digital updating based on the use of GIS technologies. The stages of creating agricultural map for diagnosing uncultivated land are displayed. However, there are a number of shortcomings in ensuring effective management of the land fund for its rational use.

The article assesses international initiatives in the field of sustainable development, environmental safety and stages of creating integrated water resources management system, including in agriculture. Water shortage acts as a limiting factor for technological processes and balanced economic growth.

The goal is to justify the importance of ecosystem approach to the methodology of hydrosphere formation, develop proposals for improving methods of regulating ecosystem services for the purpose of dynamic progressive movement and stabilization of ecological balance.

Methods - analysis of scientific publications, reports and regulatory documents, principles of rational nature management using mathematical modeling to predict the effectiveness of ecosystem strategy for regulating water supply. Results - the study revealed the most significant limitations in the rules for building ecosystems and coordinating interaction of their participants in the republic, including low level of awareness of government agencies and stakeholders in the importance of environmental safety, as well as imperfection of legal and institutional frameworks necessary for integration of ecosystem patterns.

Conclusions - the proposed strategic model aimed at forming organizational structures, expanding monitoring and interaction of target financial mechanisms helps to overcome existing barriers. The implementation of such measures will improve water quality, preserve biodiversity and ensure long-term ecological balance, especially in the context of climate change and increasing pressure on water resources, including agricultural production. The water management complex, the level of flooding, uninterrupted and sufficiency of water supply to agricultural sector, the state of water bodies, reliability of forecasting water management situations, and minimizing damage determine socio-economic sustainability in rural areas.

Aim - within the framework of activating economic growth and implementing sustainable development goals (SDGs), optimal ways to resolve issues of public management of water supply in agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan are proposed.

Methods - based on the analysis of statistical data and scientific reports of organizations, irrigation problems were identified, local water use practices were studied, forecasting the results made it possible to formulate a hypothesis of the effectiveness of infrastructure modernization, factor analysis, grouping method, tabular and graphical techniques for visualizing information were also used.

Results - the authors note that stable growth in production volumes of agro-industrial complex can be ensured by determining the conditions, causes, indicators affecting the water supply system of agro-industrial production and its renewal. In world practice, effective mechanisms of public management, legislative framework, budget-tax and tariff control, subsidy and lending systems, investment and innovation policies are actively used. The results of the study demonstrated the importance of implementing measures to improve state regulation of irrigation network in agricultural sector, maintaining food security of the country.

Conclusions - according to the authors, in the context of achieving the SDGs and industrial and innovative transformation of economic entities of the republic, the problem of rational water use is becoming more acute, especially in agro-industrial complex, due to the fact that the share of water consumption in agriculture is 65% of the total water intake. Important measures for optimal water use are, first of all, improving irrigation processes, technical equipment of hydraulic structures, training qualified personnel, widespread introduction of water-saving technologies. It is necessary to strengthen training of highly qualified personnel capable of searching for and transferring new knowledge, the best innovative projects in the field of water management complex with their adaptation to local conditions.

The article is devoted to the study of economic potential of bioeconomy in agro-industrial complex of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The relevance of the topic is due to the need to modernize agricultural sector in the context of land degradation, climate change and growing demand for organic products. The introduction of bioeconomic approaches contributes to rational use of bioresources, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and increasing competitiveness of agricultural sector.

The goal is to analyze possibilities of introducing bioeconomic models, assess their economic impact and develop recommendations for improving measures to implement agricultural policy.

Methods - statistical analysis to consider the current state of agro-industrial production, volume of biological resources, level of biomass processing and dynamics of development of ecobioeconomics; comparative - in the study of successful biotechnology practices in the EU countries, Germany and Brazil and their adaptation to the conditions of the republic.

Results - based on economic modeling, three scenarios for the development of ecological economy are shown: basic (maintaining the current level), moderate (partial processing of bioresources) and optimistic (its full integration into the country's economic system). It was found that expansion of biosphere will increase contribution of agro-industrial complex to GDP by 15%, organize up to 200 thousand new jobs and reduce carbon footprint of agriculture by 25-30%. Processing of biomaterials and organic farming products will increase farmers' incomes by reducing costs of fertilizers and energy. The main barriers remain imperfect infrastructure, personnel shortages and financial constraints.

Conclusions - practical significance of the work lies in preparation of proposals for transition to innovative processes of enriching biological mass, attracting private investment, creating educational programs and forming export potential, contributing to development of national bioeconomy strategy, development of rural areas and increasing their environmental sustainability.

The development of organic agriculture in Kazakhstan is strategically important area that contributes to ecological, economic and social sustainability of the country's economy. This farming system involves increasing production volumes based on natural methods, including biodiversity, biological cycles, natural methods of pest control, while avoiding use of chemical mineral fertilizers and pesticides.

The goal is to substantiate the prospects of organic farming in process of diversification, identify mechanisms for the effective promotion of organic products in domestic and foreign markets.

Methods - content analysis of key trends in formation of integral ecosystem, monitoring of areas under organic crops.

Results - the current state of ecological agro-complex is analyzed, main growth points are identified. Based on the study of information obtained, priority areas for expanding the sphere of organic farming are determined. Recommendations have been developed for domestic market of organic products, improvement of certification system, and support for farms using "green" technologies.

Conclusions - organic farming has enormous potential in the republic, which has not yet been fully realized. The development and implementation of more effective technologies for growing food crops, stimulating investment in this area, training and advanced training of workers in AIC will contribute to the development of eco-farming in the Republic of Kazakhstan and increase in its share in export of agricultural products. It has been determined that rate of land involvement in organic sector, improvement of infrastructure is insufficient to develop potential of green farming and create competitive market. Natural farming is not only environmentally friendly, safe, high-value food products, but also agricultural model that protects ecological situation in the country, reduces negative impact on environment, helps restore soil fertility, improves quality of life of the population, and ensures food security of the republic.

The cooperative movement in agriculture is aimed at increasing efficiency of functioning of agricultural formations, especially small farms, creating favorable conditions for the development of market infrastructure in rural areas, as well as protecting the interests, satisfying social and material needs of agricultural producers - members of the cooperative.

The goal is to identify the features of formation and management of agricultural cooperatives, develop recommendations for their further promotion.

Methods - economic, comparative analysis, economic and statistical, monographic, calculation and constructive were used in the study of dynamics of activities of existing and newly created agricultural entities of cooperative type, identifying obstacles to cooperation of various economic entities.

Results - factors hindering their widespread use are considered: difficulties in creating share fund of cooperative, limiting investments of own capital to increase reproduction, further intensification and transition to innovative technologies. Taking into account the unresolved problems of financial insolvency of small peasant (private farms) and households of population, due to the low level of material and technical equipment, attracting investments and borrowed funds, relatively small land plots, the authors justified the need to unite and consolidate small forms of management that contribute to the most effective implementation of their potential.

Conclusions - the conducted study made it possible to make proposals for changing the work of agricultural cooperatives: improving mechanism of financial and lending support, improving information and consulting services, scientific support, strengthening the system of personnel training for agricultural cooperation. The implementation of import substitution programs in the regional economy of Kazakhstan shows the importance and relevance of their application and is one of the most effective methods of ensuring and strengthening economic and food security.

In recent years, freelancing as a form of employment has been gaining popularity among the youth of Kazakhstan, including rural areas, where young professionals are looking for new forms of earnings in the context of limited opportunities in traditional labor market.

The goal is to assess the level of self-employment of young personnel in the regions of the republic characterized by the greatest labor surplus and show new trends in the formation of freelancing as a tool for their employment and increasing profitability.

Methods - generalization of domestic and foreign literary sources, empirical analysis of available statistical information and sociological research based on online monitoring and Internet survey, since freelancers are special group of respondents whose way of life is associated with "virtual reality", they are difficult to reach and contact researchers exclusively via the Internet.

Results - trends in the formation of freelance services as intellectual and creative form of self-employment of young villagers in rural areas were studied, as well as analysis of its prospects for young people in the context of digital transformation of economy. Particular attention is paid to socio-economic factors, digital infrastructure, as well as the specifics of regional labor market in labor-surplus areas of the country. Based on sociological study, social environment of labor relations of rural self-employed youth was considered, incentives for increasing the level of labor activity and income of young specialists for mastering a new type of labor organization - freelancing were identified.

Conclusions - the authors recommend building up the potential of this type of labor activity in labor market as the most progressive models of labor partnership among self-employed youth in the village. Further scientific research and government initiatives to support the freelance community can accelerate the integration of young people into digital markets and development of rural areas.

Aim - analyze the causes of low labor productivity in agriculture and develop recommendations for its increase and stimulation of economic growth of agricultural sector.

Methods - systematic approach to the study of interrelated qualitative characteristics, processing of statistical data, comparative and factor analysis allowed to identify the main problems affecting the optimization of labor resource use; correlation method was used to determine relationship between labor productivity and wages, case analysis - assess the successful implementation of state programs aimed at increasing labor productivity.

Results - comparing economic indicators of agro-industrial production with other sectors of economy, it was found that, despite the high proportion of employed workers, the level of their potential and contribution to GDP remain low. Close cause-andeffect relationship between labor intensity and its payment is indicated. It was also determined that in rural areas there is a process of aging of personnel, which aggravates current situation with a low degree of efficiency of work and slows down implementation of innovative technologies. Low labor productivity in agricultural sector is due to structural imbalances in composition of labor force, technological backwardness, weak positions of investment attractiveness, insufficient level of initiatives aimed at activating labor activity and developing agro-industrial complex.

Scientific research of the authors allowed to draw the following conclusions - increase labor productivity in agriculture of the republic, comprehensive approach is needed, including modernization of technologies and improvement of infrastructure, advanced training of specialists, effective support of the state.

The issue of employment of rural youth in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan is relevant and timely, since socio-economic problems of the village have significant impact on development of rural areas and prospects of young rural residents. Young specialists face limited employment opportunities, which complicates their social and economic integration. In particular, lack of jobs with adequate pay and lack of prospects stimulate mass migration from rural areas.

The goal is to substantiate systematic approach to solving the problems of providing jobs for young farmers through education reforms, infrastructure modernization and support for entrepreneurship. Among the main barriers to the provision of jobs are discrepancy between educational programs and labor market needs and high dependence of rural economy on agricultural sector, which lead to increase in the share of informal sector of economic activity and increase in the outflow of qualified young personnel to the cities.

Methods - quantitative, tracking the dynamics of young people's involvement in the labor force and unemployment of young rural residents in the period from 2010 to 2023, which made it possible to identify key factors; qualitative - thematic analysis of program cases that contribute to deep understanding of socio-economic processes in rural regions; graphical - for a visual representation of the structural transformation of the rural economy.

The results demonstrate direct impact of youth migration and mismatch of professional skills on the level of employment. An integration model has been developed, including 11 key elements aimed at creating conditions for labor adaptation of the younger generation. Vocational training programs, development of small and medium businesses, investment in innovative technologies and infrastructure modernization are proposed. The findings emphasize the need for integrated approach, including educational reforms, economic diversification and government support for sustainable development of rural areas of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Kazakhstan's unique geopolitical landscape positions it as important supplier of agri-food products to international markets. This sector plays vital role in the country's export earnings. As global economy develops and modern standards become more stringent, assessing export potential of agro-industrial complex is becoming increasingly important.

The goal is to study the prospects and strategies for increasing export potential of the republic's agricultural sector through comprehensive analysis of internal and external factors shaping this industry. The research methods are based on analysis of the works of scientists and the use of United Nations data.

Results - modern strategies are summarized and practical recommendations are developed. The article examines the reserves and conceptual approaches to increasing food exports of the Republic of Kazakhstan by identifying key criteria influencing strengthening of this vital product segment. Assessment of existing practices is given, as well as proposals for their implementation. The article shows possibilities of increasing the volume of exported agricultural and food products to improve the competitiveness of national agro-food system. Method for calculating universal indicators reflecting structural shifts in agro-industrial production is presented.

Conclusions - there is insufficient diversification of supplies of Kazakhstani food products and this trend has been maintained for a long time. In addition, analysis of dynamics of the level of structural shifts in Kazakhstan's foreign trade demonstrated stabilization of organizational mechanism for regulating domestic agro-food exports, strengthening its specialization and concentration. Nevertheless, significant part of exported goods consists of agricultural raw materials, which negatively affects prospects of agrofood trade policy.

At present, the guidelines outlined in the long-term concept of the republic's development set the task of finding new methods to improve economic efficiency by increasing competitiveness of manufactured products for domestic food industry enterprises. Food sector is significantly influenced by the emergence of new markets in global arena, innovative technologies that contribute to emergence of innovations and more advanced tools for organizing supply chains.

The goal is to assess the current state and potential of food industry of Kazakhstan, develop measures to improve its competitive advantages.

Methods - integrated approach based on data collection, including review of scientific literature on the topic of the study and its adaptation to the tasks, comparative, system analysis and logical generalization to assess dynamics of food production.

Results - the current situation in the processing complex is analyzed, factors influencing production, export and import of agricultural products are determined. The problems and prospects for its renewal are identified. The directions for necessary structural changes concerning food industry are proposed, including expansion of innovative activities.

Conclusions - food segment is very important area of the country's economy, since production of food products directly affects economic and food security of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It is noted that in order to expand food range, it will be necessary to modernize existing capacities and create our own raw material base, which will contribute to the growth of product profitability. As proposal, opinion was expressed that necessary condition for the development of food and processing industry is introduction of the latest biotechnologies, including import substitution, digital transformation, generation of platforms for interaction between all participants in this market, flexible response to progressive trends in the industry structure.

The decline in the share of agriculture in employment structure in recent years indicates the need to revise approaches to labor force management, level of qualification of which is one of the key problems of agricultural enterprises, affecting competitiveness of the industry. To be in demand and successfully compete in labor market, it is necessary to master professional competencies and skills, develop communication skills, ability to work in team, and creative thinking.

The goal is to provide comprehensive assessment of labor potential in the agricultural sector of the republic in order to resolve issues related to personnel in agricultural production.

Methods - statistical, systemic for studying employment trends in agro-industrial complex.

Results - the current state of economically active rural population of Kazakhstan was studied, the main tasks related to personnel provision for agro-industrial complex were analyzed, recommendations for effective personnel management were developed. Particular attention is paid to the influence of level of wages, social conditions and motivation of graduates of agricultural universities on the attraction and retention of specialists in rural areas. The factors of growth of effectiveness of personnel reserves in the activities of agricultural formations are identified. The priorities of economic policy to increase labor productivity are determined.

Conclusions - the objective dynamics of optimization of incomes of rural residents in terms of their purchasing power is achievable only under the condition of increasing the amount of wages, which will take into account the real capabilities of workers in rural areas in meeting the necessary needs. Important role is given to the innovative program "With Diploma to the village", aimed at providing social support measures in form of lifting allowance and budget loan for the purchase or construction of housing for specialists in social sphere, agriculture, etc.