Circular business models “water – energy – food” for sustainable development of regional agro-industrial complex

¹ Southern Federal University, 344002 Rostov-on-Don, Russia
² Russian Research Institute for Integrated Use and Protection of Water Resources, Rostov-on-Don, Russia
³ Federal Research Centre the Southern Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SSC RAS), 344006 Rostov-on-Don, Russia
⁴ Volgograd State University, 400062 Volgograd, Russia
⁵ North-West Institute of Management – Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, 199178 Saint Petersburg, Russia
⁶ Volgograd Institute of Management – branch of RANEPA (Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration), 400131 Volgograd, Russia

^* Corresponding author: mitrofanova@volsu.ru chernova.olga71@yandex.ru

Abstract

The use of circular business models in the water-energy-food system of relations provides significant opportunities to improve the sustainable development of regional agro-industrial complexes. However, in Russia these models remain little known. The article is aimed at the analysis of the use of circular business models within the “water – energy – food” system which influence the development sustainability of regional agrarian business. The sustainable development of regional agriculture is influenced by the use of circular business model in the “water – energy – food” system perceiving several industries and this article is aimed at the analysis of the possibilities of use of models mentioned above. The research methods are presented by the analysis of research, as well as on the qualitative analysis of business models based on performance indicators that reflect the achievement of sustainable development goals. It was shown that the “cascade processing of biomass” business model has the greatest potential for sustainability achievement. However, its realization is constrained by the multi-structured nature of the agro-industrial sector. Conclusions were made that in order to stimulate the processes of use of circular business models in “water – energy – food” system, it is necessary to create special economic zones of the mixed agricultural and industrial type. The study has theoretical significance which is presented by the development of a technique for sustainability growth of the agricultural complex taking into consideration WEF concepts. The paper also has significant practical application as it is possible to use the results of the study which can help improve the efficiency of existing models of sustainable development of regional agro-industrial complexes.