Development of small businesses producing cereals, legumes, and sunflower seeds in wartime conditions

Abstract

Small businesses producing cereals, legumes, and sunflower seeds contribute to the country’s food security and environmental protection potential. The purpose of this study was to substantiate the social, economic, and conceptual foundations of small business entities’ activities in the production of cereals, legumes, and sunflower seeds in modern conditions. The methodological framework of the study included the provisions of institutional economic theory and functional analysis. To generalise the results, the study employed analysis, graphic, and abstract-logical methods, and approaches of generalisation of results. The motivational orientation of the functioning of small businesses engaged in the production of cereals, legumes, and sunflower seeds and their place in production and consumption were determined. The study found that in 2023, the company achieved a record grain yield of 51.8 100 kg/ha, which was driven by favourable weather conditions. It was substantiated that the cost of crop production has increased due to lower prices for agricultural products (maize by -41%; sunflower by -35%; wheat by -37%) and an almost twofold increase in the cost of plant protection products and fuel. It was proved that in 2017-2022, 91.79% of the variation in net profit is explained by the variation in the level of grain, legumes, and sunflower seeds sold by small businesses. It was found that the disruption of the sales system of small businesses producing cereals, legumes, and sunflower seeds, the low level of purchase prices and the considerable increase in prices for material and technical sources of survival and fertilisers due to the hostilities make production inefficient. The development of small businesses and family farming stays one of the priority areas of regional policy. The information and analytical material can be considered when creating regional programmes for the development of agrarian entrepreneurship.