Socio-economic development of agriculture in southern Russian regions: trends, challenges and prospects

The article describes the main characteristics, general trends in the development of modern agriculture of the Southern Russian regions: Astrakhan, Volgograd regions, Republic of Kalmykia which belong to the Southern Federal District, and also Stavropol krai which belongs to the North Caucasusian Federal District. These regions have different economic, social, administrative and human potentials. They differ in natural, territorial, infrastructural capabilities and other characteristics. It is the South of Russia which is one of the main suppliers of agricultural products in the country. However in arid areas of the South of Russia there are challenges that require special attention. The author proves that the development of the southern regions in recent years shows the complexity and ambiguity of changes, for example the continuing growth of inter-regional contrasts in terms of socio-economic development. The location of the Republic of Kalmykia which is surrounded by such administrative-territorial units as Astrakhan and Volgograd regions, Stavropol Krai, which are recognized as powerful agricultural regions and their capitals, cities of Astrakhan, Volgograd, Stavropol, which are large agricultural markets and the place of migration attraction of population from the Republic plays an important role in the development of the republic...