The concept of development of information and consulting support for the subjects of the agro-industrial complex

The research forms the scientific basis of information and consulting support for the subjects of the agro-industrial complex. At the same time, the author’s comparative characteristics of the categories “information and consulting support” and “agricultural consulting” are given according to a number of criteria: sources of financing for the implementation of activities, efficiency, level of responsibility, level of complexity of providing support, promotion mechanism, level of professional competencies and conditions for attracting personnel. The concept of the development of information and consulting support for the subjects of the agro-industrial complex is substantiated. It includes its purpose, functions, principles, methods and directions. The article clarifies the content of the functions and principles of this support, substantiates the provisions of the conceptual approach to the formation and development of information and consulting support for the subjects of the agro-industrial complex in order to overcome barriers to the development of an affordable, high-quality and operational consulting support system. These provisions include the adjustment of regulatory support for the development of agricultural consulting, further transformation of the activities of regional competence centers, as well as the expansion of the introduction of digital services, the systematic organization of training for consulting support of the digital agricultural economy. The implementation of the concept contributes to ensuring the stable maintenance of the level of national security in the field of food independence by adapting the tools of “smart agriculture” through consulting support in the conditions of external economic aggression.