Methodological approaches to substantiating and identifying specific indicators of integrated diagnostics of sustainable agricultural development (using the example of the North Caucasus Federal District)

The study is based on the need to solve the problem of comprehensive diagnostics of the development of the agro-industrial complex in the North Caucasus Federal District, from the point of view of the greatest efficiency. The need to take into account the specific indicators of the agro-industrial complex and their assessment is justified by the specific features of the territories of the North Caucasus Federal District. The paper substantiates and describes the localization of the national development goals of the Russian Federation to the regional and sectoral level. The analysis of the North Caucasus Federal District's agro-industrial complex has revealed a number of patterns that need to be taken into account: the agricultural sector of the economy remains critically dependent on the means of producing agricultural products; the subsidized regions of the North Caucasus Federal District have favorable conditions for the development of the agro-industrial complex, but their natural advantages remain unfulfilled; and the agro-industrial complex in the regions of the North Caucasus Federal District has low innovation indices. The structural asymmetry of livestock products by farm category is primarily due to the predominance of small farms (households) with limited collateral potential and a lack of banking presence, as well as the presence of mountainous regions, which result in remoteness from markets, logistical costs, reduced profitability of innovative investment projects, and more. Although these indicators provide an assessment of the development of the North Caucasus Federal District's agricultural sector, they do not identify the barriers faced by the agricultural sector in the region or provide appropriate support measures. Additional specific indicators are needed that take into account not only the specifics of agricultural activities, but also the specifics of the territories where agricultural activities are carried out. These indicators can serve as an information basis for making decisions on the implementation of sustainable agricultural development policies in territories with vertical zoning.