Assessment of economic opportunities of the arid steppe territory for increasing the efficiency of arable land utilization

The purpose of the study: to assess the economic potential of an agricultural territory (using the example of the arid steppe subzone of the Altai Krai) in order to increase the efficient use of arable land. Research methods. The work used methods of description, observation, analysis and synthesis, as well as systemic, office, statistical and cartometric scientific methods. Research results. The results of the assessment of the economic potential of the territory under study for the purpose of increasing the efficiency of arable land use are presented. The analysis of labor, production and land resources showed that the efficiency of arable land use depends mainly on the physical and geographical conditions of the territory. Natural conditions are the main limiting factors that should be taken into account when optimizing arable land at the local level of land management. Changing the structure of sown areas, crop rotations, and a set of agricultural crops are priority areas for increasing the productivity of arable land. Conclusions. 1. The scientific article presents the results of the study of the arid steppe territory of the Altai Krai by physical-geographical and administrative regions for the purpose of increasing the efficiency of arable land use. 2. It was established that the study area includes four physical-geographical regions with a total area of about 2 million hectares, of which 85% are agricultural lands and 63% are arable lands. It was determined that three quarters of the arable land are deflated, and 2% of the lands, which are in fallow lands, do not reproduce the soil fertility of southern chernozems. The provision of the arid steppe territory with labor and production resources is shown. An acute shortage of mineral and organic fertilizers introduced into the soil was revealed – 4–5 kg of active substance and 200–250 kg per 1 hectare, respectively. It was found that the amount of crop products produced from 100 hectares of arable land is 150.5 thousand rubles. Is less than the regional average and varies from 155.0 to 491 thousand rubles. When producing crop products for 1 million rubles, from 204 to 645 hectares of arable land are used. The conducted assessment of the economic potential of the territory showed the need for agroecological differentiation of arable land, identification of limiting conditions and factors at the local level, and organization of sustainable agricultural land use on their basis. 3. The results of the scientific study can be used to optimize the area of arable land at the local level of land management.