Current issues of forecasting in the field of agriculture at the regional level

Forecasting is one of the most effective tools of strategic management in the economy, which determines the relevance of researching opportunities and ways to improve its effectiveness in practice. The purpose of the presented work is to consider topical issues of forecasting in the field of agriculture at the regional level on the example of the Kursk region. The research methodology is based on the consideration of the theoretical aspects of forecasting as a tool for strategic planning and management of industry development at various time intervals, as well as the assessment of the influence of various external and internal factors on the achievement of goals and objectives. Agriculture is an important industry for the economy of the Kursk region, since it occupies a significant part in the total structure of the gross regional product, which determines the need and importance of determining the most rational and economically effective directions and rates of development of the industry, which is reflected in the provisions of the State Program "Development of agriculture and regulation of agricultural markets, raw materials and food in the Kursk region", the implementation period of which is calculated until 2025. The external sanctions pressure against the Russian Federation from a number of foreign countries and the coronavirus pandemic have become one of the key factors that have had a certain impact on the dynamics and pace of the development of the agricultural sector in the Kursk region. Agriculture is also considered from the point of view of a tool that allows diversifying the economy and giving impetus to the development of related industries and spheres, rural areas, creating new jobs, attracting significant amounts of investment, as well as improving the conjuncture of foreign economic activity.