STATE OF VEGETABLE PRODUCTION IN PENZA REGION AND THE DIRECTIONS OF ITS INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT
The article deals with the formation of vegetable growing industry in Penza region. The sown area under vegetable-melon crops and potatoes in Penza region in 2016 decreased by 20.2 % compared to 2001, The yield of field vegetables in farms of all categories in 2016 declined from 2014 to 28.0 kg/ha, and increased by 28.0 t/ha compared to 2015.The highest yield of vegetables is received by households - from 181.0 to 207.0 centner per hectare, which traditionally remain the main producers of potatoes and vegetables, where more than 80% of potatoes and more than 70% of vegetables (including vegetables) are grown. In 2016 production of vegetables per capita amounted to 139 kg compared to 103 kg in 2001 (in weight after processing). In the article the priority directions of production of ecologically healthy products of vegetable growing are offered by the authors.