Abstract
<jats:p>The article presents the results of a comprehensive study of the current state and key trends in labor resource provision within the agro-industrial complex of the Saratov region. Based on the analysis of statistical data and financial statements of agricultural organizations for the period 2020–2025, structural imbalances in the regional agricultural labor market were identified. The study examines the dynamics of workforce size and composition, as well as wage levels and growth rates in relation to labor productivity. Particular attention is given to the assessment of labor shortages, their professional and qualification structure, and the underlying determinants, including demographic processes, rural population migration, and the condition of rural social infrastructure. The research substantiates the conclusion that the shortage of personnel is shifting from a short-term cyclical phenomenon to a systemic constraint posing a threat to the sustainable development of the agricultural sector. The paper formulates policy recommendations aimed at improving labor resource provision in the regional agro-industrial complex, including the introduction of economic incentives, the development of agricultural education and career guidance systems, the enhancement of rural social infrastructure, and the technological modernization of agricultural production.</jats:p>