Renewable energy generation in Ukraine is developing slower than state strategies and expectations, with the installations for energy generation based on biogas currently being among the lowest in terms of installed capacity. Most of those involved in energy generation from agricultural biogas are large enterprises, while the small and medium-sized farms are far less involved. Thus the article aims to assess the economic feasibility of biogas production from agricultural waste by specific farm types and sizes, with a special focus on small and medium-sized farms. The research results present findings in two dimensions, first defining the economic feasibility of biogas installations in Ukraine based on investment costs and the rate of return at both the current and potential feed-in tariff, and second, analyzing the influence of state regulation and support on the economic feasibility of agricultural biogas production in Ukraine. The results emphasize that the construction of small generation capacities does not provide sufficient funds under the current feed-in tariff to meet the simple return period expected by the domestic financing institutions. Except for the general support programs for agricultural activities, there are no support funds specifically for biogas producers, while there is tight competition with wind and solar energy due to diversified feed-in tariffs.

This study assesses the bioenergy generation potential of crop residues in Ukraine for the year 2030. Projections of agricultural development are made based on the Global Biosphere Management Model (GLOBIOM) and verified against available Agricultural Member State Modeling (AGMEMOD) results in regard to the six main crops cultivated in Ukraine (wheat, barley, corn, sunflower, rape and soya). Two agricultural development scenarios are assessed (traditional and innovative), facilitating the projection of future crop production volumes and yields for the selected crops. To improve precision in defining agro-environmental limitations (the share of crop residues necessary to be kept on the fields to maintain soil fertility for the continuous cultivation of crops), yield-dependent residue-to-product ratios (RPRs) were applied and the levels of available soil nutrients for regions of Ukraine (in regard to nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and humus) were estimated. The results reveal the economically feasible future bioenergy generation potential of crop residues in Ukraine, equaling 3.6 Mtoe in the traditional agricultural development scenario and 10.7 Mtoe in the innovative development scenario. The projections show that, within the latter scenario, wheat, corn and barley combined are expected to provide up to 81.3% of the bioenergy generation potential of crop residues.

The Rural Areas Development Fund (RADF) is specified to be a part of special state and local budget funds in terms of “completing” land reform in Ukraine. The funds should be aimed at the development of local infrastructure, facilitation of local people’s access to health care and education services, support of small agricultural producers, etc. However, the sources for this Fund (RADF) is only slightly connected with land use results and other spatial resources in rural areas utilized by agricultural producers and do not include the necessity to provide their fair participation in the reproduction of these resources. The purpose of the article is to assess the formation sources of the Rural Areas Development Fund and justify their replenishment to financially ensure sustainable rural development based on spatial justice in land use. The concept of spatial justice in land use is revealed: it provides for adequate participation of agricultural producers, peasants, and society as a whole in the benefits of land use and other related spatial resources (water, air, landscapes, local infrastructure, etc.) and the equivalent contribution of these beneficiaries in resources reproduction. It is shown that corporate economic entities in agriculture rather extract spatial resources than contribute to their reproduction, however, the contribution of family and peasant farms in the financial base for rural development is significantly higher than agricultural enterprises. The necessity of per hectare payments to the Rural Areas Development Fund by agricultural producers leasing more than 100 hectares of agricultural land is substantiated; it is proposed that the rate of these payments in the amount of not less than 1 % of the normative monetary value of land should be set by local self-government bodies.

Ekonomika APK : Економіка агропромислового виробництва