Reforming the Agricultural Economy in Post-Soviet Ukraine

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the agricultural reform processes in Ukraine following the attainment of independence, to identify the key economic, social, and institutional consequences of the agrarian sector’s transformation, and to evaluate the effectiveness of political and legislative measures aimed at modernizing agriculture. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive methodological approach was employed, combining qualitative and quantitative methods: statistical analysis of official data from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine and the Ministry of Economy, comparative historical analysis of land reform processes, and a review of academic publications addressing rent mechanisms, land privatization, cluster development, and innovative agricultural practices.

The study revealed that the transition from collective to private ownership of land remained incomplete, while the development of a stable land market and a fully functional institution of private property was significantly slowed by the absence of effective institutional and financial support mechanisms. It was also found that the limited access of agricultural enterprises to modern technologies and financial resources negatively affects their productivity and competitiveness. The social consequences of the reforms include the uneven distribution of land resources and the persistence of economic passivity among a portion of the rural population.

The research demonstrates the positive impact of formalizing land ownership rights, adopting innovative technologies, and implementing cluster-based models of agricultural management. These measures enhance production efficiency, stimulate regional economic growth, and contribute to increasing the investment attractiveness of the agricultural sector. The conclusions emphasize the necessity of comprehensive and coordinated reforms, including strengthening institutional support, improving rent regulation, developing a modern agrotechnological base, stimulating innovation processes, and forming a professional and educated labor force in rural regions.

Promising directions for further research are also outlined, including the assessment of the long-term socio-economic effects of the reforms, analysis of regional disparities in the development of the agrarian sector, and the study of the effectiveness of new financial and innovative models for supporting agriculture. The results obtained have both theoretical significance for the development of agricultural economics and institutional approaches in academic research, and practical relevance for shaping effective state agricultural policy and enhancing the competitiveness of Ukrainian agriculture at the national and international levels.