ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AS A DRIVER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE SVERDLOVSK REGION

The relevance of the study is driven by the development of the country's and its regions' capacities to ensure their own supply of food products. This will lead to a reduction in dependence on food imports and will highlight the importance of agricultural activities. The aim of the study is to analyze the current state of animal husbandry using the Sverdlovsk Region as an example, to identify existing problems, and to determine promising directions for its development under current economic conditions. The theoretical part of the work outlines the historical prerequisites and experience in animal husbandry, as well as the main factors and conditions that contribute to the development of this type of economic activity in the Sverdlovsk Region. The characteristics of these factors and the analysis of key statistical indicators of the regional livestock sector allow us to identify it as one of the promising drivers of regional economic development. Furthermore, the development of animal husbandry through the application of new technologies – such as advanced agricultural product processing, achievements in genetics, genetic engineering, biotechnology, and breeding – makes it possible to achieve a synergistic effect in related sectors of the regional economy. The research methods used include the historical approach, synthesis, generalization, as well as statistical and strategic types of analysis (SWOT analysis, decision matrix). The applied methods enabled the identification of trends and problems in animal husbandry in the Sverdlovsk Region and the development of strategic decisions for its advancement. A decision matrix outlining key solutions to the identified problems hindering the development of regional animal husbandry has been developed. The generalization of the research results leads to the conclusion that innovative development of animal husbandry contributes to the creation of a system of regional corporate linkages, stimulating the synergistic functioning of related economic activities within the economic structure of the Sverdlovsk Region and positively influencing its economic growth.