In accordance with international standards, innovations are defined as final outcome of innovation activity, which have been realized in the form of new or improved product, introduced on market, technological process used in practice, or a new approach to social services. Approaches to identification of innovation activity were shown. The conditions necessary for implementation of innovations have been considered. The need for innovation aimed to improve competitiveness of enterprises has been justified.

Investment attractiveness of agriculture as one of the main sectors of economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan has been highlighted. Analysis of investments to agriculture in regions of the republic, volume, structure and sectors was conducted. Among other sectors, crop production has been identified as the most attractive sphere for investing. The issues of increasing economic efficiency of investments to AIC have been shown. Ways of increasing investment attractiveness of the industry have been proposed.

Investments are the catalyst of economic development of the republic's economy. Kazakhstan has undertaken necessary measures to improve competitiveness of agribusiness and improve its in- vestment attractiveness. The article highlights basic constraints for innovation activity of the sec- tor, objectives to be addressed for the achievement of sustainable development of agro-industrial complex of the country.

The article discusses issues of food security in economically developed countries. World experi- ence shows that in order to ensure food security the strategy of protection of State interest is needed: social stability, assurance of needs in food products, independence from imports, devel- opment of domestic production of food products, provide food reserves aimed to stabilize food supply.

Analysis of project management practice based on international standards, in particular ISO 21500, indicates that methodology of project management can be widely used in agriculture and food industry of Kazakhstan. For these purposes, it is needed to ensure active and targeted out- reach, provide consulting support, standard documentation for selection, planning and imple- mentation of projects, methods of financial and resource management, training, technological knowledge, etc. aimed to improve project implementation, efficient tenders and competitions.

Analysis of project management practice based on international experience. Main directions of effective support to agricultural sector have been highlighted. The issues associated with presence of ineffectively functioning economic entities of different forms of ownership have been identified. The necessity of public regulation aimed to create favorable conditions for functioning of agri-industrial complex of the republic has been highlighted.

The article highlights different views on character and necessity of public support of agricultural sector. The directions have been identified, types of public support have been grouped on the ba- sis of existing classification features, it's necessity has been proved.

The paper highlights mechanism of profit formation of peasant (private) farms on the basis of breakeven model. The advantages and disadvantages of the concept of marginal income in de- termination of financial results have been revealed. The authors state that market system has pre- determined fundamental transformation of ownership and management forms, the need for effec- tive management.

The paper discusses scientific aspects of the efficient functioning of agribusinesses in terms of new economy. Special features of market mechanism of economic activity of agricultural produc- ers have been highlighted. Current state of agricultural sector of the Republic of Kazakhstan has been analyzed. Proposals to improve the functioning of businesses have been suggested.

The article highlights relevant issue of agricultural sector of the republic - logistics in business structures. Since the increase of technical means is associated with a significant expenditures of funds, its implementation is appropriate, if purchase of new equipment quickly pays off. The arti- cle shows the ways to improve rational structure of technical resources, linked to the optimization of their structure.

Current issues of development of sectors of agricultural machinery industry, provision of agricul- ture with technical means to identify reasons of low technical equipment of agricultural produc- tion. Characteristics of technical capacity and its structure, its growth opportunities are deter- mined on the basis of equipment supplied by domestic enterprises and imported. A number of recommendations for the development of agricultural machinery industry on the basis of innova- tion has been presented.

The condition for accelerated development of agri-industrial production is the formation of effec- tive innovation infrastructure, assuming the existence of market-oriented economic entities - agri- technoparks. Their structure has been considered as multi-profile - innovative objects oriented towards integration of intellectual potential of agricultural science and ensuring of conditions for promotion of modern scientific ideas, as well as management methods to agri-industrial complex. Establishing of system of agritechnoparks contributes to rapid approbation of advanced technol- ogies and their economic efficiency.

The paper reveals advantages of logistics techniques in agriculture, in particular, forecasting demand and funds planning. The necessary production and transport capacities have been identi- fied, and optimal material flow management has been shown.

The paper highlights the state of grain production in Kazakhstan. An analysis of grain gross har- vest, primarily durum wheat indicates that the country is at one of the leading places among the CIS countries and the world. The research determined that current grain production of the country fully meets the needs of the domestic market, thus ensuring food security of the country. Oppor- tunities of Kazakhstan to firmly fix on global grain market and to access the top five world's lead- ing exporters in the near future have greatly increased. The author concludes that it is needed to develop a strategy of grain production development, involving systemic changes, attraction of investments and use of new agricultural technologies.

Milling industry is one of the components of bakery food complex of the country, including agri- cultural production, processing, procurement, sales organizations. Priority development of export potential of domestic milling companies is provided by favorable external market conditions, which ensure necessary level of competitiveness of Kazakhstani flour. Use of investments will ensure production and sale of highest quality flour and pasta products.

The paper highlights current state of horticulture and viticulture in the Republic of Dagestan. It includes the identification of their role in agricultural development in the region. Trends in differ- ent types of farms have been outlined. The importance of specialization and agri-industrial inte- gration, as well as large-scale agricultural enterprises in the development of the sectors have been shown.

Methodological approaches to identification of regions with low production capacity have been considered. The evaluation of current development of remote livestock production in desert pas- tures was done, the reasons of low profitable sectors identified, ways to improve production effi- ciency on the basis of public support for small production volumes, including households have been proposed.

The paper includes the analysis of present status of cotton production and the prospect of indus- trial-innovative development based on agricultural cooperation between small-scale (peasant) farms. Criteria of optimal sizes of agribusinesses have been shown. The author emphasizes the importance of introducing crop rotations that will increase cotton yields and create a guaranteed feed base for livestock development.

The paper shows key indicators of labor market in Kazakhstan is an important and most effective directions of economic growth: economically active population, employment, unemployment. The authors analyze the dynamics of population size, economically active part of population, working age population, structural changes occurring in the age groups. The causes and consequences have been identified.