Retrospective analysis of the fruit and berry's economy sector development in the Orel region

The work presents an analysis of the change in the area of fruit and berry plantations in the Orel region over the past thirty years, the dynamics of gross harvest and yield of fruits and berries in the region. As key trends, the following were identified: firstly, a more than fivefold reduction in agricultural land allocated for fruit trees in fruiting age; secondly, a decrease in the total harvest of locally produced fruits and berries by about 17% with a more than fivefold increase in the yield of the corresponding crops; thirdly, despite the significant increase in yield, not reaching its level to the general federal value. To solve these problems, the application of an integrated approach was proposed, the basis of which should be a regional program for the development of horticulture and nursery breeding. The main tasks of which are formulated: increasing the area of fruit and berry plantations, increased yield of fruit and berry crops in order to self-provision with fruit and berry products of the region; construction of modern fruit storage facilities; creation of a regional cluster of nurseries capable of meeting the needs of high-quality planting material for the needs of the Central Federal District; increasing the volume of local planting material to the maximum possible level of self-sufficiency; expansion of the network of laboratories accredited for certification of planting material of fruit and berry crops; formation of a chain of cooperative communities serving the primary sector in the field of storage and sale of fruit and berry products. In addition to state funding, the authors describe a mechanism for attracting foreign and national investments to implement this program. The Russian Direct Investment Fund was chosen as a catalyst for the former; to activate the latter, it is proposed to create a center for industrial gardening and nursery breeding on the basis of existing industry unions and associations.