Problems of human capital formation in the agricultural sector of the region in the context of digitalization

The formation and development of human capital in the agricultural sector is one of the urgent socio-economic problems of the Russian Federation. Today, the agro-industrial complex faces important strategic goals to ensure not only food security, but also sustainable economic development of the country in the context of global digital transformation. The increasing shortage of qualified specialists in agriculture hinders the innovative development of the industry and actualizes the rethinking of the state agrarian policy, which should be aimed at the formation and development of digital competencies of human capital. This area of research requires an in-depth analysis of human capital, taking into account industry and territorial specifics, and an assessment of its readiness to switch to the principles of innovative, "smart" development of the agro-industrial complex. The article examines the formation of the human capital of agriculture in the Orel region in the context of accelerating the digitalization of the sector. The demographic problem of the outflow of competent and able-bodied youth from rural areas of the Oryol region and, as a result, the "leakage" of human capital of the agro-industrial complex is substantiated. The analysis revealed an acute problem of the discrepancy between human capital in the agricultural sector of the Orel region and the requirements of digitalization - only 15.2% of rural residents (including 27.2% of rural youth) have higher education. It is determined that the wages of agricultural workers in the region are not a sufficient factor in attracting and retaining highly qualified workers. For the formation and development of human capital in the agricultural sector, additional measures are needed to create a positive image of the agricultural sector, primarily in the eyes of rural youth.