Currently, factors such as climate change, population growth (with low birth rates in certain areas), reduction in irrigated land area, degradation of agricultural lands including pastures, shortage of drinking water for consumption, and underdevelopment of social infrastructure affect the sustainable development of the region.

The goal is to analyze economic, social, and environmental indicators in the North Kazakhstan region and identify ways to optimize the agrarian sector and its resource potential. This region was chosen as the object of scientific research due to the recent mass migration of rural residents to urban areas, resulting in depopulating villages, closure of schools, hospitals, and other social facilities, and a negative migration balance.

Methods used include the calculative-constructive method to determine gross regional product and agricultural GDP, and foreign trade turnover per capita; and the economic-statistical method to analyze socioeconomic indicators of sectoral activity.

The research results indicated that the implementation of the relocation program from the South to the North of the country has not yet produced positive outcomes, as many settlers cannot endure the northern living conditions. Effective measures are required to improve the social arrangement of rural areas in the context of accelerating innovative modernization of the agrarian sector, effective government support, promotion of innovation, utilization of ideas, technologies and partnerships to expand investment, and creation of an environment that supports startups, investors, research institutes, and environmental protection.

Conclusions. The goal and objectives of the economic growth concept are, above all, to reduce destabilizing influences: increasing employment among the rural population, improving education and professional skills, increasing income, improving the functioning of engineering infrastructure, and the rational use of land and water resources to overcome the lag of rural settlements behind urban advantages in quality of life, ensuring equal access to basic budgetary services and social guarantees.

The goal is to analyze the current state of the agro-industrial complex of the Abai region and assess the level of food security in the region.

Methods – analysis, synthesis, and statistical methods were used to systematize information on food self-sufficiency; inductive and deductive methods were applied to identify trends based on regional data and build hypotheses.

Results – the dynamics of production of main types of agricultural products for 2022–2024 are presented, along with the structure of food consumption compared to scientifically grounded norms. Data on food imports and exports are provided, as well as the physical and economic accessibility of food. Problems and risks affecting food self-sufficiency indicators are identified, and proposals have been developed to improve the efficiency of the agrarian sector.

Conclusions – the agro-industrial complex of the Abai region has significant potential in crop and livestock production; however, it is used inefficiently due to a persistent imbalance between production and meeting needs. Despite surpluses in certain categories (meat, eggs, grain), there is a shortage of dairy, fruit and vegetable, and fish products, which necessitates stimulation of these sectors. The structure of the diet does not meet recommended physiological standards, especially in terms of dairy products, vegetables, fruits, and eggs. Dependence on imports persists in key food categories, while food remains economically inaccessible to certain segments of the population. Effective foreign economic policy and a financially justified customs-tariff mechanism are required; measures for state regulation of prices; consideration of demand conditions; and widespread use of innovative technologies and technical means in crop and livestock production, as well as in the food and processing industries. Implementing these directions will help optimize nutrition quality, balance it in terms of nutrients and energy, and consequently improve quality of life.

The relevance of the topic is driven by the importance of digital transformation in agriculture. The application of big data technologies in the country’s agro-industrial complex contributes to income growth, cost reduction, and increased efficiency of production processes.

The goal is to identify the challenges of analyzing large volumes of information in the functioning of the agrarian sector in the context of global trends and challenges. The country’s agro-industrial production faces a shortage of qualified personnel, high costs of digital transformation, and outdated solutions. A new challenge has emerged – the training of specialists in working with large data sets is complicated by the lack of sufficient practical experience among producers and integrators of innovative models.

Methods – analytical, comparative analysis, and graphical methods were used to visualize materials and substantiate conclusions. The study includes analysis of case studies from Russia, the USA, Ukraine, Israel, and Kazakhstan, demonstrating practical adaptation of scientific approaches.

Results – limitations restricting the interpretation of digital document flow in the agro-industrial complex were identified, and barriers hindering its widespread adoption in the sector were highlighted. An expert assessment was given on the current state and prospects for the implementation of analytical tools based on a wide range of factual data in the agriculture of several foreign countries, with an emphasis on the potential for transferring successful practices to the agro-industrial complex of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The use of satellite monitoring and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) was demonstrated, providing high-precision and real-time data on the condition of agricultural land.

Conclusions – priority directions for the implementation of these nanotechnologies in the short term (5 years) were determined, and a conditional structuring of stages for the medium and long term (10 years) was proposed in the form of three sequential phases.

The goal – the implementation of marketing sales technologies in the agro-industrial complex contributes to ensuring the economic sustainability of agricultural production and enables informed decision-making regarding production, sales, and promotion of goods to the market. It allows for an adequate assessment and forecasting of the market situation, and the development of strategies and tactics for competitive positioning.

Methods – the research methodology was based on an analytical approach, during which a significant amount of information was processed to analyze and interpret data, identify patterns, and understand the essence of the subject under study.

Results – key aspects confirming the importance and effectiveness of marketing functions in the sales of agricultural products were identified, as well as marketing approaches for adapting agricultural enterprises to the instability of the competitive environment. A survey of business entities showed that the greatest interest lies in digital innovations in marketing processes, while the main barriers to their implementation were identified: shortage of qualified specialists, insufficient funding, low level of infrastructure in rural areas, and lack of awareness about effective marketing policy tools.

Conclusions – the integration of marketing strategy with production activity in the agricultural sector enhances the effectiveness of the entire logistics chain from producer to end consumer. The spread of agromarketing requires comprehensive methods, including personnel training and the digitalization of the trading network. An effectively established marketing function in the agro-industrial complex supports the strengthening of food security and serves as a valid tool for the stable socio-economic development of rural areas. The authors emphasize the need for constructive programs to train competent personnel that take into account the main directions of agromarketing pathways, which should be considered a factor in increasing the profitability of agricultural enterprises and a stimulus for enhancing innovative activity.

Innovations in the agro-industrial complex require effective mechanisms of state support, in particular – preferential financing. The article examines current trends and prospects for the development of the preferential lending system in Kazakhstan’s agrarian sector as one of the key instruments for stabilizing agriculture.

The goal is to justify directions for providing concessional loans to agricultural production, food, and processing industries in order to ensure food security, increase the investment attractiveness of the sector, and enhance its economic resilience.

Methods – the methodological basis includes content analysis of regulatory legal acts, statistical data on credit volumes, and current subsidy programs; monitoring of the current state of the agricultural sector and evaluation of the effectiveness of government support measures for agricultural enterprises; the economic-statistical method was used to process data characterizing the dynamics of loans issued at below-market interest rates; scientific approaches and principles of managing preferential credit lines were also applied.

Results – the main problems hindering the choice of optimal preferential conditions were identified: imbalance in selection criteria, complexity of subsidy procedures, and regional differentiation in access to financial resources. Proposals were developed to simplify procedures, enhance transparency, digitalize the application system, and optimize credit support services.

Conclusions – the author concludes that it is necessary to update the regulatory framework of government programs in accordance with the real needs of agricultural entities. Preferential financing is a strategic tool for modernizing the agro-industrial complex, improving the socio-economic situation in rural areas, and increasing the competitiveness of domestic products on both domestic and foreign markets. It is essential to expand the list of credit institutions and the range of loan products offered, taking into account the interests of all types of rural economic entities.

The goal is to develop a model of an integrated innovative agrarian enterprise that forms a production chain based on zero-waste technology.

Methods – monitoring was used to study issues of waste utilization or recycling at canning factories; comparison was applied in analyzing the experience of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in fruit processing and the use of production residues; abstraction was used to eliminate certain irrelevant facts.

Results – the practice of utilizing byproducts from secondary processing of fruit and the potential for obtaining valuable fruit oils, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products in Kazakhstan was demonstrated. The authors propose a business concept for a unified structure focused on processing fruit pits by generating a chain of production stages as an extension of an existing canning factory. This structure would include, on a partnership or shareholder basis, private household farms, peasant (farmer) farms growing fruit crops, and other entities from the agro-industrial and food industries, with the goal of generating high added value.

Conclusions – the authors recommend the establishment of a corporation whose owners are shareholders who are also employees, receiving wages and, at the end of the year, dividends. The proposed model enables recirculation of press residues, thereby solving the more important issue of import substitution. It significantly reduces the cost of producing natural oils from fruits – valuable products for medicine, cosmetology, and other industries. The research strategy substantiates the advantages of creating a jointly operating business entity functioning across several technological stages to fully process waste, ensuring that each stage is profitable while the final products find demand in both domestic and international markets. Processing plants, in the future, are expected to become increasingly automated, efficient, and environmentally friendly, enhancing food safety, reducing operating costs, and improving the quality of the final product.

The development of entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan's agriculture is one of the key tasks for ensuring food security and economic stability in the country. Between 2020 and 2023, the republic’s agrarian sector demonstrated mixed trends influenced by internal and external factors.

The goal is to analyze the current state of entrepreneurial activity in the agrarian sphere and identify the main problems.

Methods – the statistical method was used to examine the dynamics of gross output, investment levels, the number of agricultural enterprises, and the scale and nature of structural imbalances, forming the basis for further conclusions. The systems method revealed interconnections between financing volumes, digital transformation, state support, and regional infrastructure, allowing the agro-industrial complex to be interpreted as a system of interdependent elements. The comparative method was used to compare regional data and contrast national indicators with international benchmarks in digital farming and access to capital.

Results – problematic areas were identified, including a low level of digitalization, covering only 12% of agricultural land, and limited financial accessibility.

Conclusions – small and medium-sized enterprises face restricted financial resources. The share of small and medium agribusiness is 14.8%, which hinders its integration into total production volume. Global market shifts, price fluctuations, and geopolitical factors negatively impact Kazakhstan’s export potential — for example, grain exports declined by 12.6% in 2024. Growth in entrepreneurial activity enables agricultural entities to improve tools, increase crop yields through the adoption of innovative developments, and strengthen their economic and financial positions. The above allows us to conclude that increasing the resources of small and medium-sized enterprises is only possible through joint efforts of entrepreneurs and the state, supported by large businesses.

Ensuring adequate food supply for the population in various regions of the country is one of the key goals of sustainable economic growth. However, achieving this is challenging in areas with unfavorable natural and climatic conditions for agriculture, where dependence on imported food increases – a significant risk amid unstable geopolitical and economic conditions. The solution lies in stimulating interregional exchange by expanding the transport infrastructure network.

The goal is to develop recommendations for intensifying interregional transportation of socially important food products, based on a study of the level of food self-sufficiency in the regions of Western Kazakhstan and the potential of transport communication systems. The article also aims to demonstrate the degree of self-sufficiency in terms of volumes of socially relevant goods, reserves and development trends in the transport and logistics complex, the impact of efficiently functioning transport corridors on food autonomy indicators, and to substantiate proposals for further improvement of road and transport facilities to enhance the supply of socially significant goods in the western region of the republic.

Methods – logical analysis and generalization were used to identify the principles of assessing food independence; correlation analysis was applied to determine its interdependence with the development level of the transport network; an expert survey addressed the regulation of economic stability issues; the economic-statistical method revealed differences in transport accessibility.

Results – a high correlation was established between the adequacy of socially important food supplies and the modernization of road infrastructure. Proposals for its further reform and improved supply of socially valuable food products to Western Kazakhstan were substantiated.

Conclusions – the authors stress the need to optimize tariff policy through differentiated transportation tariffs for socially significant goods, and to create a favorable investment climate for the renewal of transport infrastructure (increasing freight speed, delivery time predictability, and transport link reliability).

The development of competitive agricultural enterprises in the poultry sector requires justification of operational parameters, with the fundamental factor being consideration of naturaleconomic conditions and the regionally established production specialization.

The goal is to analyze current trends, identify key problems, and develop recommendations for the effective development of the industry.

Methods include statistical and economic analysis. Correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between investment volumes and production indicators, which confirmed the need for increased investments. The analysis of cost structure and its impact on product cost helped identify profitability improvement criteria.

Results – poultry farming in Kazakhstan is developing steadily, especially in the meat sector. Poultry meat production has increased by 13.8% in recent years, and egg production nearly meets domestic demand. However, challenges remain: regional imbalance in the distribution of poultry farms, high equipment wear, and import dependence. Government support, investment projects, and measures to promote cooperation provide a foundation for further growth and for strengthening national food security.

Conclusions – the authors recommend modernizing processing infrastructure, expanding logistics systems, and increasing domestic product output by 200,000 tons to address import substitution, expand export volumes, and ensure product availability in the domestic market through state investments in domestic industry. To strengthen the poultry sector in the long term, a comprehensive set of organizational, economic, and technological measures is needed to improve productivity and cost-effectiveness, and to ensure that the population is supplied with poultry meat and eggs in accordance with scientifically based nutrition standards and the long productive lifespan of poultry, for the production of high-quality, nutritious food products.

The goal is to study the main factors influencing the rational use of land resources and the impact of regional specificities on the development of agricultural sectors, in order to form sustainable land use in rural areas.

Methods – statistical, systemic, and comprehensive approaches served as the methodological foundation for the effective turnover of agricultural land; comparative analysis, subject-logical, and economic-statistical methods were used to process data on the land fund of the North Kazakhstan Region.

Results – land cultivation optimization was considered from the perspective of understanding scientifically based indicators influencing the efficient use of natural-resource potential, such as the allocation of crop areas on agricultural lands considering soil fertility and legal regulation. A key condition motivating land users to improve land productivity in the long term is the use of land according to its intended purpose. It is noted that many of the problems arising during the creation of effective farming mechanisms stem from imperfect ecological-economic relations, disregard for ecosystem approaches, extensive agricultural practices, and deficiencies in land plot monitoring systems. Particular attention is given to issues of wind and water degradation and the urgency of radical measures to combat these phenomena.

Conclusions – it is important to maintain and improve the quality characteristics of soil that affect crop yields. Stability of external land boundaries, land rights, and internal land-use organization are objective conditions for legal regulation of land ownership. According to the authors, the technological security of land areas is reflected not only in their layout and energy infrastructure but also in the availability of agricultural machinery to ensure full land utilization.

The rational use of agricultural land is of particular importance in the context of global challenges, including climate change, limited natural resources, instability of agricultural markets, and the need to ensure food security. This issue is especially relevant for the northern regions of Kazakhstan, which have high agricultural development potential but face institutional, financial, and infrastructural constraints.

The goal is a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of land use in the northern territories of the republic with a focus on economic, digital, and organizational-legal factors.

Methods – statistical analysis was used to determine indicators of the economic profitability of the agricultural sector, such as gross regional product, profitability, and investments; comparative-structural analysis was applied to evaluate the distribution of land among different categories of economic entities; the structural-dynamic approach made it possible to trace transformations in coordination and functional processes and in the level of digitalization using the example of the state platform Qoldau.kz.

Results – high land concentration in large enterprises was identified, along with limiting barriers, a mismatch between the volume of investment and actual outcomes, significant impact of climatic conditions, and the positive effect of digital services on procedure transparency, access to state support, and agroanalytics.

Conclusions – the authors recommend strengthening government support measures, improving legal regulation of land relations, enabling equal access of agricultural entities to digital platforms, expanding the use of sustainable agricultural technologies, and reinforcing organizational management mechanisms to increase the efficiency of land turnover in the northern regions of the country. Many issues related to the research topic remain underexplored and require further development and refinement at the methodological, methodical, and practical levels.

Central Asia is rich in water resources, yet it is currently facing one of the largest environmental disasters. The disappearance of the Aral Sea is a consequence of inefficient water management and climate change, which pose new challenges for the region and lead to serious problems in utilizing its water potential.

The goal is to study the current state of the agricultural water supply system in Central Asia and identify ways to enhance the resilience of hydraulic infrastructure.

Methods – economic-statistical, factor, and comparative analysis aimed at examining the economic, social, and environmental aspects of water resource regulation and irrigated agriculture.

Results – the current situation in the water sector was analyzed, including the effectiveness of mechanisms for coordinating and controlling transboundary water bodies and attracting investment. The study showed that the existing level of irrigation of agricultural land has led to a significant decrease in water inflow to the Aral Sea, a reduction in arable land area due to soil salinization, and depletion of water reservoirs. Improving water use efficiency and modernizing infrastructure positively impact the sustainable development of the agro-industrial complex. Moreover, the necessity of introducing public-private partnership (PPP) mechanisms into irrigation projects is emphasized.

Conclusions – effective exploitation of water resources requires a comprehensive approach, investment attraction, and improved support measures for farming operations. These efforts will enable rational water distribution, enhance the investment appeal of the agricultural sector, and optimize water usage under conditions of scarcity. The future demand for water in food production is enormous and will require large-scale, modern water infrastructure. Hydrosphere management plays a crucial role in water delivery and ecosystem preservation.

The consolidation of small farms, especially household subsidiary plots (HSPs), into agricultural cooperatives enables the joint use of land, agricultural machinery, and technological equipment, thereby contributing to the development of infrastructure for storage, processing, and marketing of agricultural products.

The goal is to analyze the current state and development trends of household subsidiary plots, assess the potential for cooperative integration of individual farms, and explore the advantages of prospective cooperative models for providing services that ensure proper preservation technologies, primary processing, and product sales.

Methods – analytical method for examining existing types of agricultural cooperation in the country; monographic method to identify reserves for effectively utilizing the potential of household farms in delivering storage, processing, and marketing services; constructive-calculative method to justify promising cooperative models for HSPs.

Results – a sharp decline in their share in total gross agricultural output has been identified, along with key limiting factors in the cooperation process. The benefits of joint activity among HSPs are highlighted, promoting both economic and social gains in the form of increased family income.

Conclusions – the authors emphasize the need for measures aimed at helping agricultural cooperatives attract internal and external financing sources, reduce dependence on government support, and improve long-term sustainable growth indicators. Encouraging greater involvement of the private sector in financing cooperatives is also essential. The authors recommend launching pilot HSP cooperative projects to create an effective mechanism for supply chain development from raw material production to final product delivery via the “production–storage–processing–marketing” model. To increase effectiveness, favorable conditions must be created for cooperative formation, including access to credit and partnerships with government institutions.

Modern Kazakhstan is facing the challenge of lacking its own agricultural machinery industry. During the pre-restructuring period, farm machinery was primarily imported from Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia, while only 10% of the required range was produced by local enterprises. In this context, the tasks of technical modernization in agricultural production and the creation of a regional machinery system for crop production have become highly relevant. The first step involves grouping all regional agricultural producers into clusters with similar characteristics, which, when compared across groups, show significant differences.

The goal is to develop a practical mechanism for field machinery for crop production enterprises, to justify a method for establishing technical equipment zones that can define optimal qualitative and quantitative characteristics for each agricultural entity, and to identify areas where Kazakhstan’s crop production machinery fleet needs renewal.

Methods – economic and statistical analysis was used to assess development trends in the agricultural sector’s technical base and the current state of material and technical resources within the agro-industrial complex.

Results – the authors propose a new definition of the concept of a "technical re-equipment zone for crop production" and its classification system, enabling more effective segmentation and resolution of issues related to material support in the crop sector. The foundation for building these zones lies in analyzing the relationships between natural and production conditions and the qualitative and quantitative parameters of machinery provision for crop enterprises. Methods of complex structuring, optimization, and post-optimization analysis are used to reveal the underlying patterns.

Conclusions – the study identifies ten technical service zones for agricultural production across the country, reflecting regional and zonal characteristics and considering the boundary conditions for sequential actions in determining the required number of technical means.

The goal is to determine the role of Kazakhstan’s agricultural policy in developing the labor potential of rural territories.

Methods – systemic and statistical analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of demographic, economic, and educational indicators were used to assess the state and dynamics of the rural labor market and to substantiate the factors affecting labor activity in rural regions.

Results – the study examined the principles of agrarian reforms in relation to rural human resources; identified key social aspects of demographic policy affecting the socio-economic situation in rural areas and the standard of living of rural residents; explored ways to diversify the rural economy to increase employment; provided recommendations for improving labor market regulation mechanisms in the agricultural sector; emphasized the significance of innovative technologies in enhancing competitiveness in agricultural industries; highlighted the need to modernize educational programs for training qualified personnel in the agro-industrial sector; analyzed trends in the development of the technical and vocational education system aligned with current requirements, the number of students from rural areas, and the impact of digital transformation on agricultural production.

Conclusions – the authors conclude that addressing demographic issues in rural areas contributes to reducing unemployment and ensuring high social stability. The implementation of digital technologies in the agro-industrial complex increases labor productivity and economic activity among the rural population. Given the real situation, it is essential to explore ways to optimize the employment of the able-bodied rural population in Kazakhstan, taking into account the economic and technological needs of agricultural entities. Support is needed for effective employment in small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises and cooperatives, including peasant (farm) holdings and household plots.

Agricultural education plays a vital role in staffing the agro-industrial complex (AIC) and is a priority area of the state's agricultural policy.

The goal is to identify the main issues in agricultural university training and the recruitment and renewal of qualified personnel, outline possible solutions, and analyze employment indicators and the demand for agricultural professions.

Methods – analysis and synthesis, absolute and relative criteria, abstract-logical and economic-statistical methods were applied to examine employment rates, the number of working youth, and average monthly wages by economic activity in recent years. The empirical basis of the study includes data from the Bureau of National Statistics of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2020–2024.

Results – the study presents the dynamics of employment across the country and specifically in the agricultural sector, and identifies the growing need for highly qualified agricultural professionals. Preparing such personnel requires a practical training base with modern material and technical support, enabling students to master cutting-edge technologies and equipment.

Conclusions – although significant efforts have been made in Kazakhstan to encourage prospective students to pursue agricultural education, the issue remains pressing and widely debated. One of the main reasons cited by youth for the low appeal of agricultural professions is low income, which affects quality of life. The authors note that for successful innovative development of the agro-industrial sector, graduates of agricultural institutions must acquire the necessary knowledge, competencies, and research skills during their education. This is essential for achieving positive results in agriculture, advancing Kazakhstan’s agro-economy to the global level, and increasing the country’s influence in the world food market.

The relevance of this study stems from the need to ensure the agricultural sector is staffed with competitive professionals who are adapted to the conditions of the modern digital economy. Despite government programs aimed at increasing wages and improving working conditions, there is still a lack of motivation among rural youth to engage in agricultural production. This article examines employment levels by industry, income dynamics - which remain lower than in other sectors, and opportunities to address the shortage of young professionals in the agricultural sector. The main objective of human resources policy is to reduce youth unemployment, enhance the social status of young people, and provide real opportunities for education and employment that match their professional competencies.

The goal is to identify the main factors behind the declining number of young workers in rural areas and to propose effective measures for reducing the outflow of young labor and increasing their retention in villages.

Methods – analytical and comparative methods were used to justify conclusions about the importance of engaging youth in the agro-industrial complex; mathematical tools were applied for the quantitative assessment of economic indicators, and graphical methods were used to visually present research results.

Results – the study analyzes the current state and prospects for the socio-economic development of rural areas and the dynamics of key indicators, explores youth employment programs, identifies the main causes of the shortage of in-demand young rural workers, and proposes effective methods to attract young specialists.

Conclusions – the authors emphasize the necessity of innovative transformations in rural areas and the development of new training programs for qualified personnel in the agro-industrial sector who possess knowledge of innovative agricultural production technologies, taking into account international experience.

Kazakhstan’s agricultural sector faces increasing pressure from climate challenges, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) requirements, and the national course toward digital transformation. Understanding how ESG and digitalization impact financial performance is crucial for shaping future strategies.

The goal is to examine the impact of digital processes and ESG principles on the financial performance of agricultural enterprises in Kazakhstan.

Methods – using quantitative data from JSC "Atameken-Agro" for 2014–2023, the study assesses how digital modernization and ESG trends influence revenue, net profit, and return on assets (ROA). Empirical indicators are complemented by case analysis to reveal operational characteristics.

Results – the findings show that investment in ESG standards may initially raise depreciation costs but align with long-term sustainability goals. Digital modernization positively correlates with production outcomes, although its immediate impact is statistically insignificant. However, case studies demonstrate that digital tools help increase transparency in ESG practices and facilitate the spread of ecological innovations, which could generate tangible returns over time.

Conclusions – as Kazakhstan transitions to mandatory ESG reporting in 2025 and expands digital agriculture initiatives, a stronger long-term synergy between ESG and digital progress is expected. While current monetary effects remain ambiguous, effective government support and technological transformation will enhance this synergy. This research underscores the strategic importance of integrating ESG principles and investment in digitalization as key factors in the transformation of the agricultural sector.

Food security is a crucial aspect of social stability in Kazakhstan. In this context, social problems include rising food prices, dependency on imports, and the impact of economic and climatic factors that increase food costs and reduce accessibility for low-income population groups.

The goal is to identify social barriers to food self-sufficiency in the country, outline their causes, and propose effective solutions aimed at improving the availability and quality of essential food products.

Methods – analytical, economic-statistical, and comparative methods were used to study the current state of food provision. The research draws on the works of domestic and international scholars, materials from the FAO and OECD, and expert interviews. Special attention was paid to the influence of socio-economic indicators and the effectiveness of government programs.

Results – the study highlights several challenges undermining agro-food security: low household incomes, price volatility, and environmental risks. It also examines measures contributing to the intensive development of the agro-industrial complex and the stabilization of the national food market under current global economic conditions: modernization of the agricultural sector, increased social support, price regulation, and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle.

Conclusions – the author concludes that a comprehensive approach is needed to analyze the current state and threats to economic independence, which is not feasible without robust social and investment policies, protection of domestic agricultural producers, full realization of the potential of all forms of agribusiness, and improvement of the tax incentives system. These efforts will ensure domestic food needs are met and enable the agricultural sector to become a leading exporter of raw materials and consumer goods. It is essential to improve models that enhance the potential of rural areas as socio-ecological-economic systems, capable of mitigating negative impacts on food security.

The article examines the potential of Kazakhstan’s regions for developing the dairy sector through the launch of clustering projects, as well as the prospects for stakeholder management within such initiatives. A dairy cluster is defined as an alliance of organizationally independent enterprises integrated into an inter-industry system that can achieve shared goals based on mutual economic and organizational interests, acting as a food supply chain of complementary economic actors.

The goal is to analyze performance indicators of dairy farms in promising districts of the republic through the lens of cluster formation, and to propose potential stakeholders for inclusion in a territorial cluster.

Methods – graphical and comparative methods were used to identify trends in dairy production expansion; grouping was applied to determine the most significant factors influencing the dairy market environment; logical analysis was used for data generalization and systematization; economic-statistical methods were used to study the trends in capacity growth of dairy industry enterprises.

Results – the study demonstrates significant advantages of the Almaty region for creating and scaling up a dairy production complex compared to other areas.

Conclusions – proposals were developed for organizing an efficiently functioning dairy cluster in the region with specific, geographically concentrated stakeholders, along with evidence supporting the fulfillment of their expectations and the achievement of mutual economic benefits. The implementation of this initiative is expected to meet domestic market demand, significantly increase export volumes, address issues of livestock feed supply, improve the competitive value and attractiveness of dairy products, and expand the raw material base.