Abstract
Sufficient provision of agricultural enterprises with labor resources, their territorial and structural balance, rational use, high level of labor productivity are the key directions of effective functioning of agro-industrial complex, growth of production volumes and increase of its efficiency. Purpose - to analyze the criteria of human capital optimization in the agrarian sphere, to identify existing problems and to determine promising directions. Methods - the study used quantitative and qualitative analysis methods, including the collection and processing of statistical data, questionnaire survey of employees of the agrarian sector, as well as interviews with farm managers. Using the correlation and regression method, the influence of the studied factors on the optimization of labor activity was substantiated. Results - the article identifies the main issues of agricultural staffing, which consist in the decline in the professional qualification level of specialists, low staffing levels, outflow of able-bodied population from rural areas, loss of prestige of agricultural professions. Conclusions - this study emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to the management of labor potential in agro-industrial production of the republic. The introduction of advanced training programs, improvement of working conditions and social infrastructure is the basis for sustainable development of the industry. It is also recommended to strengthen state support and stimulate the attraction of capital of domestic and foreign private investors and investment funds in rural regions to ensure stable activity of agricultural enterprises. It shows further prospects for increasing human resources to ensure the competitiveness of domestic agricultural producers and as the main driving element in the establishment of innovation economy and the expansion of globalization processes.