ORGANIZATIONAL AND ECONOMIC APPROACHES TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF NICHE CROP PRODUCTION: FOREIGN EXPERIENCE
Abstract
The article examines the experience of the United States in developing the production of niche crops, which are also called special or alternative crops in the world. The significant socio-economic importance of these crops and the advantages of their production are emphasized. Attention is focused on the fact that the introduction of niche crops into crop rotations allows for the diversification of agricultural production and, as a result, achieve a number of economic, environmental, agrotechnological and social positive effects. Analysis of the production of major niche oilseeds in the world showed that during 2015-2023, the production of hemp seeds, mustard, as well as spicy and essential oil crops increased significantly. It was found that a number of organizational and economic tools were used and are used in the USA to develop the niche segment of crop production. In particular, a powerful legislative framework has been formed that regulates this area of production and the activities of farmers who grow niche crops. The main provisions of the "Specialty Crops Program", which operates under the US Department of Agriculture, and the organizational and economic measures implemented by the non-governmental organization "Specialty Crops Alliance" are also highlighted. The main organizational and economic tools for the development of niche crop production in the USA are analyzed, including the Initiatives for Research on Specialty Crops, Mechanization and Automation of Specialty Crop Growing, the Program for Controlling Pests and Plant Diseases and Preventing Natural Disasters, Specialty Crops Grant Program, Market Access Program and External Market Development Program, Initiative to Expand Access to Crop Insurance for Specialty Crop Producers. Attention is focused on the US Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024, which expanded provisions related to specialty crops and provided for significant investments in the specialty crops segment. Other main organizational and economic tools for the development of niche crop production in the USA are analyzed and the need for their gradual introduction in Ukraine with adaptation to the domestic market is substantiated.
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Official site of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nationsh. Available at: ttps://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
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Specialty Crops. Available at: https://attra.ncat.org/topics/specialty-crops-2/
Specialty Crops ‒ An Overview. Available at: https://nationalaglawcenter.org/overview/specialty-crops/
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Department of Agriculture and Markets. (2024). An official website of New York State. Available at: https://agriculture.ny.gov/farming/specialty-crop-block-grant-program
Specialty Crops: Industry Dynamics, Challenges and Opportunities. (2021). Available at: https://www.iselectfund.com/specialty-crops-challenges-and-opportunities/
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The 2024 Farm Bill: H.R. 8467 Compared with Current Law. Available at: https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R48167
What is a Specialty Crop? Agricultural Marketing Service. U.S. Department of Agriculture. An official website of the United States government. Available at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp/specialty-crop
