CULTIVATION OF NICHE CROPS AND PROSPECTS OF ECO-INNOVATIVE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN UKRAINE

Aim of the study The paper is devoted to the investigation of prospects of eco-innovative agricultural production in Ukraine by cultivating niche crops for the protection and restoration of fertility potential of soils, and the development of export potential of a number of niche crops. Material and methods At the empirical and theoretical levels of research, sets of general scientific and special methods were used for the purposes of the present paper, in particular: system (structural and functional) analysis, abstraction, synthesis, deduction and induction, comparison, formalization, graphic image (mapping), idealization. These methods were used to: describe the preconditions for agricultural production in Ukraine (natural conditions; soils; the share of GRP formed in the sector of agriculture, forestry and fisheries; exports of certain niche crops to EU countries); analyse the structure of land fund and land use in Ukraine, the EU countries, and European countries in general; study cropping area of agricultural crops by the categories of enterprises in Ukraine; compare selected parameters of cultivation, fruit and berry crops in Ukraine and EU and Eastern Europe as well as exports of some niche agricultural products in Ukraine and in the world. Results and conclusions Significant differences in the structure of land fund and land use in Ukraine, the EU countries, and European countries in general are identified. Ukraine has an imperfect land structure, a large share of agricultural land, and a high share of arable land. This trend is accompanied by the spread of degradation processes. Trends in the cultivation of specific crops in Ukraine are identified in terms of types of agricultural enterprises. Assessment of the current state of exports of certain niche crops in Ukraine and the world indicates a high export potential of Ukraine. Given that the added value per unit area directly affects the price of agricultural land, as well as the potential for protection and restoration of soil fertility, it is proposed that agricultural land be used for growing niche crops, and that eco-innovation and eco-modernized technologies be implemented in agriculture, that do not harm human health. Furthermore this will serve to protect biodiversity, eliminate or minimize environmental pollution, facilitate rational (sustainable) land-use and other systems of resources, use of fertilizers, microelements and additives for technological purposes in the established maximum admissible quantities, and also their storage in the established equipped places, etc. Agriculture eco-innovations with the production of niche crops are proposed for consideration as a practical implementation of the integrated system the Sustainable Development Goals, which are directly related to agriculture.