The purpose of the article is to analyze the main prerequisites for introducing natural and agricultural zoning on the territory of modern Ukraine. For this purpose, the achievements in the fields of economic analysis and soil science in the 19th century, which were decisive for the development of national science, were analyzed, as well as some achievements of Zemstvo's research works in the field of agriculture were considered. These works involved implementing a comprehensive study of regions in space and time based on historical and geographical studies. The research methodology is based on the principles of historicism, objectivity, systematicity and complexity. General scientific methods (analysis and synthesis, typology), historical (problematic-chronological), and methods of source and archival analysis were involved. It is shown that the results of scientific research in the fields of economic analysis and soil science and scientifically based statistical research in the field of agriculture in the second half of the 19th century became important factors of a new stage in the development of agricultural science. The principal characteristic of scientific research of the new stage was the consideration of the economic and climatic features of individual areas in the region. The work concluded that the main prerequisites for the introduction and formation of natural-agricultural zoning were: scientific achievements of foreign and domestic researchers and scientists in the field of economic analysis, soil science; generalizing statistical studies of state bodies in the field of agriculture (Department of Agriculture and Rural Industry of the Ministry of Agriculture and State Property, Central Statistical Committee); the thoroughness and prevalence of Zemstvo's statistical works on the study of the current state, features of local agriculture and the analysis of the reasons affecting its state and prospects for its development.

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