Management of competitiveness of the agricultural sector of the regional economy in the context of digitalization

The article examines the prospects for further development of the methodology for managing the competitiveness of regional agro-industrial complexes within the context of the digital paradigm. The purpose of the study is to develop a system of competitiveness indicators and to test a methodology for assessing the competitiveness of regional agro-industrial complexes and rural territories as an integrated socioeconomic system, with a particular emphasis on the level of digitalization. To achieve this objective, a comparative analysis and an index-based approach are employed to identify the key indicators influencing the competitiveness of the agro-industrial sector in the regions of Russia. The main findings demonstrate that the competitiveness of the agro-industrial complex is determined not only by economic indicators, such as investment activity and labor productivity, but also by the level of digitalization, which is becoming a critical factor of competitiveness in the context of rapid technological development. The results highlight the need to integrate information technologies into agricultural production in order to enhance its efficiency and sustainability. The novelty of the study lies in the proposed methodology, which provides regions with practical tools to increase the competitiveness of the regional agricultural sector. The findings may be useful for public authorities and agro-industrial enterprises in designing policies aimed at improving the competitiveness of agriculture at the regional level and ensuring national food security.