Assessment of staffing needs in the agro-industrial complex of the Smolensk region

The Smolensk region has significant potential for the development of the agro-industrial complex, including export of agricultural products. As of 2023, there are 178 agricultural organizations operating in the region's industry, which provide production of almost 70.0% of the industry's output, where, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the region, 4956 people are employed. However, the industry is experiencing a situation characterized by a lack of labor resources. On the one hand, this is due to the problems typical for the industry, and on the other hand, to the imperfection of the personnel planning methodology and the specifics of the industry. In particular, there is an inefficient use of the annual working time fund, the personnel needs of other categories of producers, which provide at least 30.0% of the gross production of agricultural products, are not taken into account. The purpose of the study is to assess the personnel needs of the agro-industrial complex of the Smolensk region. The study was conducted on the basis of primary data on the efficiency of economic activity of 178 agricultural organizations of the Smolensk region. The methodological basis for the study is the methods of the calculation and constructive research method. The study allowed to establish that there is a latent need for personnel in the industry, associated with the peculiarity of working conditions in the industry for women (11.0%) and the existing structure of production in terms of categories of manufacturers (from 57.0% to 140.0%). Multivariate calculation of the need for labor resources based on the materials of the Smolensk region allowed to establish that in the region's industry the required number of employees is from 7780.4 people to 12091.8 people with the actual reported number of employees in the agro-industrial complex of 4956 people. The conducted analysis allows to conclude that it is necessary to adjust the methodology for assessing the personnel needs in the agro-industrial complex at the regional level.