Methodology - European Research Studies Journal

Development of Integration Processes in the Agro-Industrial Complex of the Russian Regions
6
competitiveness through cluster development at present is proposed by V. Feldman
who understands a cluster as a diversified set of industries interacting on the basis of
supplies and acquisitions based on the input-output model (Feldman and Audretsch,
1999; Smirnova and Rudenko, 2016).
The cluster approach to the study of competitive economic processes is considered
by a number of other scientists (Akhmetshin
et al., 2017a; 2017b).
In the analysis
of foreign trade, Leamer highlights national clusters with a significant degree of
correlation exports (Leamer, 1984). Tolenado (1978) and Soulie (1989) designate a
cluster as an “industry” or an interdependence of economic sectors at a
technological level based on the need for technological interactions of various
industries and economic sectors to provide a competitive. Cluster forms of
organization are found in Germany, Japan, and in the developing countries of Latin
America, Asia, and Africa. The cluster organization of production is assessed by
economists as the leading one for developing countries (Brown, 2000; Akhmetshin
et al., 2018b).
A cluster in the agro-industrial complex is represented as a geographically separate,
innovatively directed quasi-integrated structure formed on the basis of the
technological chain principle and realizing common
economic interests of the
stakeholders connected in the structure by a certain culture of interaction
(Bogdanova, 2007; Gabidullina
et al., 2018). We assign the agro-industrial cluster
with the functions of the main instrument of goal-oriented project planning
(Korableva
et al., 2017) and management within the framework of the agro-
industrial regional policy for the integrated use of the economic and social
components of the region (Glotko, 2008). However, it should be noted that clusters
in the agro-industrial complex noticeably lag full-fledged industrial clusters and
develop very slowly, despite their presence in the structure of industrial enterprises.
Speaking of clusters in the sphere
of the agro-industrial complex, we note two
alternative complementary strategies: an increasing awareness in the resulting
clusters; and the creation of new types of constructive interaction within a cluster
structure (Metelev
et al.,
2016).
The intra-integrational agro-industrial structures in the agro-industrial complex are
referred to as an innovation-oriented system of intraregional relations between
territorially concentrated business entities – agricultural producers, food and
processing industries (cluster core), infrastructure, and government agencies, as well
as scientific and educational institutions (Akhmetshin
et al., 2018c; Kaiyrbayeva
et
al., 2018; Marliyah
et al., 2018). The extra-integration agro-industrial structures are
represented as an innovation-oriented system of interregional
relations among
economic entities – agricultural producers, food and processing enterprises (cluster
core), and infrastructure located in transboundary regions providing for interregional
interaction between legislative and executive bodies, as well as scientific and
educational institutions (Akhmetshin
et al., 2017c; Nagimov
et al., 2018; Polyakova
et al., 2018).
A.V. Glotko, I.N. Sycheva, A.N. Dunets, A.L. Poltarykhin, P.V. Zhuravlev, A.A. Tubalets
7
The Altai Republic is part of the Siberian Federal District located in the south of
Western Siberia and is a border area. It has a common border with the Republics of
Tyva and Khakassia, the Altai Territory, and the Kemerovo Region, as well as
China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan (Region Passport). Due to
its climatic features and
the presence of year-round distant pastures, the Altai Republic is traditionally
considered as an agro-industrially orientated region. Analyzing the structure and
dynamics of the GRP, it should be noted that agriculture’s share in the Republic's
GRP is relatively stable and averaged 4.72% over the period of 2012-2016. Overall,
the agro-industrial complex accounts for about 18% of the gross output of the Altai
Republic (according to 2016 data). According to the figures from 2017, the Altai
Republic’s population is 217 thousand people; 153.7 thousand people are residents
of rural areas, which is 70.8% of the total population. In this regard, it can be
asserted that agriculture is the main source of income for residents of the Republic
(Passport of the Region).
In the Siberian Federal District in 2016, the proportion of the production of the main
types of agricultural products from Altai Republic farms in all categories amounted
to 1.71%. According to this indicator, the Altai Republic is second only to the Tyva
Republic. At the same time, since 2012 there has been
growth in the production of
the main types of agricultural products in the Republic. Thus, in 2016 the production
of agricultural products in actual prices has increased by 2,213 million rubles
compared to 2012. By contrast, in terms of per capita agricultural production, the
Altai Republic is among the leaders in the Siberian Federal District.
In 2016, agricultural products worth more than 54 thousand rubles were produced
per capita in the region, which is 16 thousand rubles higher than the national average
and 19 thousand rubles higher than the same indicator for the Siberian Federal
District (On the results of the implementation of the state program of development
of the agro-industrial complex of the Altai Republic in 2015). The main areas of
animal husbandry in the region are traditionally dairy cattle, sheep, and beekeeping.
Tracing the indicators of livestock production in the region since 2012 has revealed
a tendency to reduce milk production by 3.8%, eggs by 15.79%, and honey by
38.36%. At the same time, the production of livestock and poultry in live and dead
weight has increased by 14.74% and 14.65% respectively, and wool by 4.4% (Table
1).