SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF UKRAINE’S AGRI-FOOD SPECIALIZATION: CAUSES AND WAYS TO ELIMINATE THEM

International organizations and the world scientific community note a growth of environmental processes associated with agricultural activities. In particular, it is recognized that sector deeply specialized (monoculture) production, which intensifies land degradation, has negative impact on environment natural resources. Losses from soil fatigue, companion to monoculture, amount almost 25% harvest. The UN documents mention not only environmental, but also social losses monoculture production: decrease in rural population employment, an increase poverty, inadequate nutrition, etc. formation Ukraine agriculture features farming, zonal aspect allows identify its consequences, are analyzed. Steppe zone, transition cultivation soil-depleting humus-absorbing cereals sunflower, occupied over 93% sown areas, displacing fallows perennial grasses, led increased erosion, currently affects 60–80% land, dehumusing soils (humus deficit reaches 600 kg/ha), significant reduction animal husbandry, decline milk products consumption by population, caloric content average daily diet, elimination jobs These characteristic eastern regions Forest and, although lesser extent, other country. as whole, quality food decreasing, import dependence increasing for certain types commodities have been driven out production result deep specialization. It substantiated order prevent further development these processes, there no alternative agroecological crop rotation-based one symbiosis husbandry. mechanisms this type proposed, taking into account theoretical foundations problem experience solution Western European countries, will allow stop degradation ensure productivity, preserve sovereignty country labor potential.