Methodological foundations of the system of geographical prerequisites in the study of the food belt

Abstract

The article examines the system of geographical factors and geographical prerequisites as a theoretical and methodological basis for the study of the food belt. The relevance of the study is determined by the need to ensure food security in the vicinity of large urban agglomerations, maintain the stability of product supply and effectively organize spatial and economic relations between the city and the village. The evolution of scientific approaches from geographical determinism to modern systemic and multifactorial approaches to analysis is summarized and their applied value in the assessment of the food belt is revealed. The research methodology was based on the approaches of comparative historical analysis, theoretical accumulation, systematization and multilevel factor analysis. As the main result of the work, the principle of "factors-levels-indicators-result" was proposed, combining natural-agroecological, socio-economic, spatial-logistics and institutional factors. This principle allows us to evaluate the food belt at the levels of the region, agricultural region, administrative district and enterprise, to draw integral conclusions by rationing and weighing indicators. The proposed approach can serve as an important methodological basis, especially for regions in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, where the process of urbanization is intensified, water and land resources are limited, and logistics risks are high. The purpose of the study is to methodically substantiate the system of geographical prerequisites in the study of the food belt and consider it in connection with the tasks of spatial planning, placement of the agro-industrial complex, and ensuring food security.