The article gives an estimate of the social-economic situation in the south of Tyumen region, which has pointed to the crisis in the agricultural sector. In this regard, the authors have developed approaches to the development of rural areas in the south of the region to provide the population with food products, forming the scientific novelty, the practical significance of this study and the prospects for further development of the topic. They are: 1. development of food products import from the nearby regions of the Russian Federation; 2. development of the regional agricultural production. The first approach is based on strong, long-established commodity relations between the subjects of the Russian Federation. However, in this case, the solution of problems related to the provision of food to the population will lead to aggravation of social problems related to employment of the population, primarily rural settlements of the region south. The lack of jobs in rural areas will lead to even greater outflow of the population to major cities. The second approach allows avoiding negative consequences, but requires a larger financial investment. This is due to the creation of new enterprises (reconstruction and modernization of old enterprises) (according to the regional program quite a large investment is allocated in this area) with the involvement of educational institutions in the cluster to create an interconnected and mutually reinforcing the "production-processingimplementation of the finished product" cycle with scientificmethodical and consulting support of the process.