The purpose of the study was to analyze the factors constraining or stimulating the growth of the potential of organic production in the Novgorod region. We used data from the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia and Roskachestvo, as well as the results of a questionnaire survey of representatives of small agribusiness in the Novgorod region (N=59).Economic, statistical and sociological research methods were used. The respondents were heads of farms with different specialization, period of operation, and remoteness from district or regional centers, the presence or absence of processing of manufactured products, and other characteristics. It was revealed that every second of the respondents clearly indicated an unwillingness to switch to this type of activity. It is determined that the main reason for this is uncertainty about future income, lack of knowledge and necessary information, problems with the sale of products due to the location of the farm and other reasons. It was found that when answering the question about their plans for the future, 19% of respondents indicated their intention to engage in organic production no earlier than in 5 years, while the majority of respondents (60%) could not decide on the answer. Therefore, they can be considered as potential participants - under more favorable conditions of entrepreneurship in rural areas. According to the research results, it is concluded that it is possible to increase the volume of organic production in the agricultural sector of the Novgorod region by stimulating the activity of small businesses and solving existing problems based on the experience of a program-oriented approach.
Natalia Aleksandrovna Nikonova (Tue,) studied this question.