Cluster as a tool for the development of dairy farming

The paper summarizes opinions of leading scientists and agricultural experts and, on this basis, proves the necessity of governmental support of regional innovation clusters that help use unique advantages of the territory. It is shown that with the help of this tool in economic policy it is possible to increase agricultural output, improve the competitiveness and innovativeness of agricultural sector subjects. It is determined that the main factors ifluencing the success of cluster policy in foreign countries are the innovative nature of the projects under implementation, mandatory participation of research and educational centers in cluster structures, presence of leaders in the ϔield, access to capital, advanced logistics, large market. The paper presents the results of evaluation of competitive advantages that the Vologda Oblast possesses for the purpose of creating a dairy cluster. It is proved that these advantages are as follows: high intensity of dairy farming, presence of a wide network of breeding organizations, developed methods of butter-making, a powerful experimental, instrumental and analytical base, and advanced service organizations in the agricultural sector. On the basis of questionnaire surveys conducted by ISEDT RAS in 2000-2015 among the managers of the Vologda Oblast agricultural enterprises, the author justifies problems that arise due to the low degree of cooperation between cluster members. The paper also describes main directions of realization of cluster-wide projects, provides information about the values of key performance indicators in the development of the dairy cluster in the Vologda Oblast. In addition, the author considers conditions under which the clustering of agriculture can be most effective. They are: intensive information exchange, adaptation of macroeconomic and governmental agricultural policy measures to current conditions, guarantees of stability of the “rules of the game” for economic entities of the agricultural sector, effective coordination between different authorities. The conclusions and recommendations presented in the paper can be used by researchers and public administrations when making management decisions.