COUNTRYSIDE IN THE AREA OF INFLUENCE OF THE KYIV METROPOLIS (STRENGTHENING OF AGRO-FOOD FUNCTION IN THE CONDITIONS OF SOCIAL TRANSFORMATIONS)

The research examines the changes that have taken place in rural areas in the area of influence of the Kyiv metropolis. Based on a comparative analysis of agricultural development (under the command-administrative system of management and the current state of the industry in market conditions) revealed the peculiarities of the formation and trends of changes in the agri-food function of suburban rural areas. At one time, a suburban agro-industrial complex was formed around the city of Kyiv in order to meet the needs of the urban population in low-transport products - meat and dairy products, vegetables and fruits. As a result, the agri-food function of the suburban area has strengthened. Subsequently, under the influence of changes in the agricultural system, the intensification of exports, preference was given to high-intensity agriculture, the production of export-oriented crops ‒ cereals, sunflower, canola, soybeans, corn. Production of products for the needs of the metropolis (vegetables, cereals, potatoes, fruits and berries) has significantly decreased, the role of the agri-food function of suburban rural areas has decreased. As a result of the research the directions of strengthening of agro-food function in the conditions of social transformations are offered. The main ones are: application of new approaches to the food supply of the metropolis with an emphasis on strengthening the role of suburban rural areas; change in the structure and specialization of agriculture; a significant increase in the level of industrial processing of agricultural raw materials; improvement of the marketing sphere taking into account market conditions, consumer demands; restricting the activities of agricultural holdings, increasing the role of farms; transition from soil-depleting agriculture to conservation, rational use of land resources, introduction of energy-saving technologies.