The State and Development of Peasant Farms on the Example of the Penza Region

Introduction. The development of small forms of farming and their part in the food supply plays a crucial role in the agricultural sector of the economy. Peasant arms, like agricultural organizations, present suppliers of agricultural products on the regional mar-ket. The purpose of the study is to substantiate the directions for the development of peasant farms, as an important source of development and strengthening of rural areas. Materials and methods. We analyzed the state and development of small businesses in the Penza region on the basis of statistical data for 2010, 2019-2021. The theoretical ba-sis was provided by literary sources on the development of small forms of farming in the agro-industrial complex and state support for small agricultural businesses. The follow-ing research methods were used: systematic, monographic, comparison, economic and statistical. Results. The analysis of small agribusiness in the Penza region revealed that the development of peasant farms in the production of crop and livestock products has a positive trend, but at the same time the share of agricultural products of this category of farms in the gross output in the region as a whole decreases. There is a low percentage of peasant farms selling potatoes, vegetables, livestock and poultry, and milk. To solve the problem of marketing manufactured products, it is necessary, in our opinion, to unite peasant farms and create agricultural consumer cooperatives, which is possible with real government support. The main form of support for farmers is grant support. Conclusions. Small business requires human resources to introduce innovative, digital technologies in farm production.