ROLE AND PLACE OF IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE IN THE PRODUCTION OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AND ITS ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY (experience of the Republic of Tatarstan)

The development of globalization processes and, as a result, “blurring of borders” between countries give rise to fierce competition in food markets. In such conditions, ensuring food security largely depends on the efficiency of agricultural production. One of the factors of its stability, regardless of the influence of weather and climatic conditions, especially in areas of risky agriculture, including the Republic of Tatarstan, is irrigation. The research was carried out to assess the current state of the development of irrigated agriculture and its economic efficiency in the Republic of Tatarstan. The efficiency of irrigation was studied in Arsk and Laishevsky municipal districts of the Republic of Tatarstan when water was supplied, respectively, by diesel (“Kyrlay” LLC) and electrified pumping stations (“Narmonka” LLC). The object of research is potatoes on a total area of 258 hectares. It is not clear how it is possible to conduct research in different farms with different methods of water supply, and to carry out calculations for the total area. The costs of irrigation with 5-fold irrigation with water supply by electrified pumping stations paid off 11.9 times. Direct costs per 1 hectare of potatoes with a planned yield of 250 c/ha amounted to 110,590 rubles/ha, including 5-time irrigation - 10,235 rubles/ha, or 9.2%. The cost of production during irrigation decreases, in comparison with cultivation without irrigation, 2 times or more. A ruble of direct costs for irrigation provides additional products worth more than 12 rubles. According to Federal State Budgetary Institution “Tatmeliovodkhoz” Management”, it is much more profitable to grow fruit and berry and vegetable crops on irrigation. This should push for structural changes in favor of irrigated production of highly marginal crops