The article reviews the main approaches to the use of fertilizers in agricultural production. A discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of the use of mineral fertilizers in rural areas within the framework of the provisions of sustainable development and the concept of green economy has been revealed. On the example of the Russian Federation and rural territorial economic systems, using monitoring tools, the dependence of wheat yield on the use of mineral and organic fertilizers was studied. The continuing importance of mineral fertilizers in matters of ensuring the food security of the world community has been established.