STRUCTURAL DISPROPORTIONS OF AGRICULTURAL LAND USE IN THE NON-BLACK EARTH ZONE

DOI 10.32651/268-64

Issue № 8, 2026, article № 9, pages 64-75

Section: REGIONAL ECONOMY

Language: Russian

Original language title: СТРУКТУРНЫЕ ДИСПРОПОРЦИИ СЕЛЬСКОХОЗЯЙСТВЕННОГО ЗЕМЛЕПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ В НЕЧЕРНОЗЕМНОЙ ЗОНЕ

Keywords: AGRICULTURAL LAND USE, IMBALANCES, INTENSITY OF LAND USE, NON-CHERNOZEM ZONE, PSKOV REGION, DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES, LAND USE EFFICIENCY

Abstract: The aim of the work is to identify structural disproportions in the use of agricultural land in the Pskov region, develop a typology of municipal districts, and substantiate adaptive management strategies. The study is based on economic and statistical analysis of data for 1990–2024 across 24 municipal districts, methods of grouping, two-dimensional matrix analysis, comparative geographical and monographic methods. It was established that over 34 years, the region's sown area decreased by 77.7% (to 7.8% of the total agricultural land area) with an extremely high inter-district variation in indicators. A steady trend towards spatial concentration of production was revealed: the share of the five leading districts reached 40%. A two-dimensional matrix typology was developed, making it possible to identify six types of districts: "growth locomotives", "growth point", "stable middle peasants", "shrinking middle peasants", "deep periphery", and "collapse zone". Differentiated development strategies are substantiated for each type – from offensive expansion to a change in specialization. It is established that the main reserves for land involvement are concentrated in the districts of the first two types, while in the collapse zone, a return to arable land is economically inexpedient. The obtained results can serve as a basis for developing programs to involve unused lands in circulation and spatial development strategies.

Authors: Sandu Ivan Stepanovich, Voiku Ivan Petrovich