The development of agriculture plays an increasingly important role in achieving the economic and social progress of the Soviet Union. This situation has been reflected in the Party's agricultural policy. The steadfast implementation of the agricultural policy line established by the March Plenum of the Central Committee of the CPSU in 1965 ensured profound qualitative changes in the Soviet countryside. Agricultural production has grown considerably, and labor productivity has increased. Much has been done to raise the remuneration and welfare of agricultural workers and to fundamentally improve the entire way of life in rural areas. The material and technical foundation of agriculture is undergoing qualitative transformation. At the same time, the mature socialist society that is developing vigorously, together with the profound changes in the income levels of the population and in the structure of their needs, has placed higher demands on agriculture. The materials of the 25th Party Congress and the July Plenum of the CPSU Central Committee in 1978 comprehensively summarized the experience gained in agricultural development since the March Plenum of 1965. On the basis of a scientific analysis of practical experience and taking into account the conditions and needs of our country, new tasks for the further development of agricultural production were proposed, and the means of accomplishing these tasks were substantiated. Transforming agriculture into a highly developed sector of the economy requires not only a significant increase in agricultural output but also greater social progress in rural areas as a prerequisite. The paths for further agricultural development must be justified with due consideration for the new tasks, the conditions of production development, the living conditions of agricultural workers, and the tremendous changes that have occurred in their interests and value orientations. Agriculture now possesses enormous economic potential. It is of great importance to make rational use of this potential, improve production efficiency, and strive for high final results. In accomplishing this task, the development of sectors connected with the agro-industrial complex and the improvement of relations between agriculture and related branches play a major role. In view of the new trends in agricultural development, special attention should be paid to improving the management mechanisms of collective farms and state farms. At present, agriculture in our country is undergoing a period of profound qualitative restructuring, marked by major structural changes in all its spheres. The study of new trends and development issues in the agricultural sector is of great theoretical and practical significance. Taking these new trends at the current stage into account, this book attempts to explore the comprehensive problems involved in agricultural development. This book was written by a team of authors holding the degree of Candidate of Economic Sciences. They are: V. N. Baulkin (Sections 1 and 2 of Chapter 9, and Chapter 10), P. F. Guzhvin (Chapter 11), A. M. Yemelyanov (Chapters 1, 2, 14, and 15), V. N. Zhurikov (Chapters 12 and 13), L. A. Maliyev (Chapter 5), N. N. Menkina (Chapter 4), S. I. Polovenko (Chapters 3, 7, and 8, and Section 3 of Chapter 9), and N. S. Kharitonov (Chapter 6). This book is intended for all university students, university teachers, and researchers engaged in the study and research of agricultural economics.