Abstract
The integration of full-cycle dairy farms into the regional economy is considered as a factor in the growth of sustainability and diversification of agricultural production. The goal is to substantiate the prospects for the development of dairy farming and determine the directions of investment in the context of economic interaction. Methods - content analysis of statistical sources on the main aspects of the activities of the dairy sub-complex, monitoring of milk volumes of cattle and indicators of its productivity. The data is processed on the basis of official statistics, taking into account the correction to the estimated divergence of existing criteria (10-15%). Results - the main factors and trends in the creation of a complete dairy product chain in the regions were analyzed. It was found that about 90% of them are produced on small farms and only 30% of the volume of industrial processing. The problems of the low level of technical equipment of agroferms and processing enterprises, seasonal fluctuations in the supply of raw materials, as well as the need for digitalization of production processes and advanced training of personnel are highlighted. Recommendations have been developed to stimulate investment in the modernization of the infrastructure of business entities, integrate small forms of agribusiness and increase capacities, as well as strengthen the position of the domestic dairy segment in the domestic market. Conclusions - the authors emphasize the importance of state support for the dairy sector on the basis of the principles of the circular economy and the implementation of financial measures for the technical modernization of farms, the expansion of the quality certification system and the activation of the national consumption sector, which will ensure food security, employment in rural areas and improve environmental indicators, taking into account that more than 40% of the rural population of the country is associated with.